Laura Terruso’s passion for film started at a young age, but she didn’t think becoming a director was an option.
Coming from a family of social workers and teachers, she didn’t have the resources to pursue her dream.
It wasn’t until she enrolled in film school at NYU that she realized it was possible for her to become a director.
During her time as a journalism student, Terruso still pursued her love of film by directing short films.
She eventually caught the eye of director Michael Showalter, who asked her to help write the screenplay for “Hello, My Name is Doris.”
This opportunity led to her directing the comedy film “About My Father,” starring Robert De Niro and Sebastian Maniscalco.
Terruso believes in saying yes to every opportunity and learning from the people you work with.
She says it’s what made her a better writer and director. Her advice to anyone starting out in the industry is to do the same.
“About My Father” is a film that reflects the comedian Sebastian Maniscalco’s own childhood.
Terruso’s experience as a director has taught her that there is no specific “look” for a director.
She now knows that anyone can become a director if they have the passion and dedication to pursue it.