Bio
Shira-Lee Shalit is a reality TV contestant on the filmmaking reality show On The Lot.
Shira-Lee's On The Lot Q&A:
Location: Ney York, NY
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation: Acting Teacher
Age: 42
Why am I here?
Because I'm ready!
A quick tour of my life
I was born in South Africa, the oldest of 4 children, and moved with my family to Texas when I was 12 years old. There, I attended the High School for Performing & Visual Arts as an acting major.
In my senior year, I won the prestigious Presidential Scholar of the Arts Award and performed at the White House for the President. After graduating from NYU with a BFA in Drama.
I went on to pursue my love of filmmaking at Columbia University's Graduate Film School, where I directed my first short, "Full Cycle," which was named a Finalist in the Student Academy Awards.
After being married for a few years, I gave birth to my beautiful son, Shayne, stayed home with him for his first year, then began teaching Acting for Film and Directing Actors classes at the New York Film Academy in New York City.
After my marriage ended, I directed my first feature, "A-List," starring Daphne Zuniga, Sally Kirkland, Renee Taylor and my brother, Damon Shalit, who also wrote the film. "A-List" has screened at many festivals and recently won the Gold Remi Award for Best Comedy at Houston's Worldfest International Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the Milan International Film Festival in Italy.
Describe yourself in one sentence...
I'm passionate, energetic, ambitious, bold, spunky, perceptive, (and the part I love the most) -Shayne's mom; a creative filmmaker who lives life to the fullest.
Your theme song?
"Don't stop me now" -- Queen.
First movie you ever saw?
"The Sound of Music" - at 6 years old, I saw it 18 times-I loved it so much.
Favourite line from a movie?
"I would kiss you but I just washed my hair." - Bette Davis
What made you want to be a filmmaker?
I started out as an actress, found I had a talent in directing actors, and proactively decided to move behind the camera, where I've always loved the medium of visual storytelling. There is no greater accomplishment than seeing my vision fully come to life.
When you make a film what do you want the audience to leave with?
I want the audience to laugh, to cry, to think, to be entertained - any or all of the above. I want them to feel something, you know?
When I'm behind the camera...
I am in my element!
What do you think it will be like working with other Directors?
It might be tough, sparks may fly, but it is a unique opportunity and a great learning experience.
Favourite joke about Directors?
Knock knock. -Who's there? -Control Freak. -Control Freak who? --No, no, no! Say it again. This time with more feeling.
Movie that best encapsulates who you are?
Annie Hall
While On The Lot you have a week to make a film every week. What's the biggest challenge?
For a perfectionist like me, not being able to spend the amount of time I normally would spend on every detail is the biggest challenge.
When you get the power, how will you use it?
Creatively and confidently.
What's more important talent or ego?
Definitely talent, but perseverance tops that.
Shira-Lee's favourites:
FILMS
Annie Hall, Sideways, Lost in Translation, Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Cinema Paradiso, Young Frankenstein, Harold and Maude, After Hours, King of Comedy, Dog Day Afternoon, Midnight Cowboy, All that Jazz, Carnal Knowledge, The Graduate, Trouble in Paradise, E.T., The Royal Tannenbaums, What About Bob?
DIRECTORS
Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Mira Nair, Mike Leigh, Alexander Payne, Wes Anderson, Steven Spielberg, Mike Nichols, Pedro Almodovar, Ernst Lubitsch, Jane Campion, Hal Ashby.
PRODUCERS
Michael London, Laura Ziskin, Paula Weinstein, Jean Doumanian, Michael Hausman
WRITERS
Nora Ephron, Charlie Kaufman, Mel Brooks, Callie Khouri
ACTORS
Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr, Ryan Gosling, Sascha Baron Cohen, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Bill Murray
ACTRESSES
Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Maggie Gylenhaal, Kyra Sedgwick, Rachel McAdams
SOUNDTRACKS
Schindler's List, Hair, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory