LOCAL SCENE
Her most recent work stars Asner, Faustino
By Phil Villarreal
pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.28.2008
Tucson native Rebecca Parisi is making her way in Los Angeles as a producer and actress.
She appeared in "The Gene Generation," which was directed by fellow Tucsonan Pearry Reginald Teo, and also had an uncredited role in the college comedy "Accepted."
The 32-year-old also produced the short film "Somewhat Damaged," directed by Tucsonan Rick Gutierrez.
She recently completed perhaps her biggest project, the comedy "Working Title," which stars David Faustino and Edward Asner. Parisi was a co-executive producer, rounding up the movie's investors and acting as a go-between for them and the filmmakers.
Parisi grew up in the business and moved back and forth between Los Angeles and Tucson. Her mother, Kay Ann Miller, was an actress who appeared in "Romper Room." She died when Parisi was 14. Her father, Charles Harmston, is a psychiatrist.
Parisi calls her mom one of her biggest influences. "She was a strong woman who never gave up or took crap from anyone. So I have tried to always go for what I believed in and desired."
Parisi has acted since age 12, when she starred in a commercial for a Tucson dentist. She grew up taking acting classes and was a member of the Dragoon Street Players at Trail Dust Town. The Wild West shows let her practice her martial arts and stunts.
Parisi attended the University of Arizona intending to study medicine, but left after a year to pursue acting. She's since earned a degree in business management at the University of Phoenix, and is pursuing a master's in psychology with plans to earn a doctorate.
How do you manage your time working your job, making films and attending school?
"With much skill and sometimes chaos (laughs). Actually I have a lot of support from my family and somehow seem to have endless energy."
Tell me about "Working Title."Â
" 'Working Title' is a wonderful comedy that stars Ed Asner and has an array of great actors and characters in the script. The film is based on how people in Hollywood get away with certain things and is done in a tasteful and funny way."
Your mom did "Romper Room." Were you ever on the show as a kid?
"No, I was just a gleam in her eye then, but my sister Renee was on the show with her."
What are you working on these days?
"A reality show with a friend in Los Angeles about building and remodeling homes in a green way, a documentary on the neglected children, and editing a script."
And what would that lead to?
"My dream project would be to create an inspirational film with those that I enjoy working with and being able to see the changes the film could make in society. Basically I want to help educate people around me through an artistic point of view."
If you're involved in filmmaking and would like to be featured in a Q&A, write to pvillarreal@azstarnet.com.
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