Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Independent filmmaker Trish Appello, of Merrick, privately screened the first episode of her new series, “EffYou 50s,” at the Bellmore Movies and Playhouse on Nov. 10.
The episode follows protagonist Maggie and “the seasoned gals” — women in their 50s undergoing a journey of self-discovery after their children reached adulthood, making the most of their golden years.
“EffYou 50s” was filmed largely in Appello’s own home, self-funded, and made possible with a cast and crew of more than 50 members.
“I transformed my den into looking like a boutique,” Appello, 63, said. “The independent filmmaking community on Long Island taught me how to turn my house into different sets.”
The episode will be used to pitch the planned eight-episode limited series to streaming networks and other distributors.
This story was inspired by Appello’s own experiences, overcoming doubt and turning dreams into reality.
“I always had this link to the film and television world, but never really pursued it,” she said. “I thought it was unattainable. The doubt that you have going into it, especially the first time, is so overpowering, but my determination was louder and stronger.”
Appello first acted on her lifelong interest in filmmaking at the age of 55 by volunteering with the Long Island International Film Expo.
“I loved everything about it,” she said. “I loved the independent filmmakers, I loved their stories. I could feel the blood, sweat and tears that went into making their films.”
Appello went on to become the film expo’s coordinator for four years, and pursued other projects. She gained experience with various roles in film production, working in the background of TV shows, commercials and music videos, where she shopped for costumes, assisted talent, and even worked as a producer.
In 2023, Appello earned an Independent Film Producing Certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and recently, she was selected for the New York University Tisch Business of Entertainment program.
“This wasn’t just me writing a story — it was really mirroring my life,” she said. “This story lived inside me — it was me finding my voice later in life, and what my next chapter was going to be, and there are so many women who relate to this.”
Tracey Anarella, an independent documentarian and film producer who served as a story consultant on “EffYou 50s,” started making films later in life, coming from a background in nuclear medicine and pharmaceuticals.
“What’s beautiful about the ‘EffYou 50s’ is that it speaks to how I’ve kind of lived my life,” Anarella said. “My age is a number. It shows that there is no expiration date. You are in charge of what you want to do, and you cannot let society dictate that.”
Kimberly Heath-Carrico, the executive producer of “EffYou 50s,” has worked to promote the series.
“Women of a particular age deal with our children, our marriages and socializing,” Heath-Carrico said. “This all plays together in a dynamic of worrying about what everybody else has thought, and then you realize that you have a more dynamic role in your community.
“It is always good for us to support women who are in the creative space,” she added. “We are valuable to the world, in general, more so than just our families and raising children.”
Madelyn Providente and Chuck McAnulla, former East Rockaway High School teachers, recalled Appello as a student in their English classes, where they watched her creativity blossom in the school songwriting competition “Rock Rivalry.” Today, they keep in touch as friends.
“I met Trish exactly 50 years ago when she walked into my seventh-grade English class,” Providente said. “Having taught her for five years, I know her pretty well. She’s always generous, always kind, always laughing. Theater and shows were a love for her from the very beginning, and finally she saw the opportunity to jump in and do it herself.”
“She was also funny, she was inquisitive,” McAnulla said. “She liked contributing to the community of her high school and to her town, and as far as her film goes, I think that she’s contributing to a much, much wider audience. That’s, to me, an extension of her being part of the high school community, the village community, and now the world community.”
