Marty Wisher, an artist since birth

“I’ve been an artist since I was born.  I paint, write, and act.  I was born with a paint brush in my hand.” says actor, writer, director, model...  Ms Wisher, from Cape Coral, Florida.  She has a long list of attributes to her name - both real and stage name is Marty Wisher.

I have come to know Marty from the United Film & Television Artists, Inc..  This organization is a non-profit, talent oriented group that networks together and supports all entertainment in SW Florida, if not nationally as well; there are even out of state members.  Marty is currently the Executive Vice President of UFTA.

At the young age of four, Marty's mother took her to a TV station in Biloxi, MS where Marty became a regular on Romper Room.  She loved it.  Unfortuantely her parents did not want her to become a performer.
Although at 18 she cast for and worked on several TV commercials.  She also became a model.  At one point in her young career she became the Angelo’s pizza girl (on TV).  Still her family discouraged her love for the arts.

Ray, Marty’s husband, has always been very supportive of her.  Marty says “Having someone believe in you makes such a difference.  I’ve been performing ever since.”

Marty's background in acting includes formal acting classes, and she also performed for King’s Players, all this occurred before any professional gigs.  At least once a week, if not several times a week Marty would also perform in churches.  Her most recent and unusual opportunity was that of a five year gig,  five nights a week,  at a local dinner theater.  In addition to that gig and since then she has also taken part in several commercial spots and at least one film a year.
 

The techniques in acting Marty uses and advices to use, is to try everything.  “You’ll be surprised what you find out about yourself.”  Marty has been giving such advice as she has been an acting coach for years and will be teaching improvisation for a local talent agency this year.  Two young men, among many in "Light," that she directed were the two leads - Christian Kilian as Lucas Finlay and Danny Rawley as Jake Connor.  It is difficult to show or list all talent, so go to Starlight Studio Productions' link below to see more stills and video footage.  The still photographer was Sue Rawley. 

Danny Rawley as "Jake" & Christian Kilian as "Lucas"

Marty’s first love in performing has always been the stage, until she worked with a troop called “Actors at Work,” and than she discovered she adored it as well - intimate theater. “This kind of theater is where the audience is so close that you can hear them breath,” she says.

When Starlight Studio Productions formed, she took the role of director for their first feature length film “Light.”  To that she adds “I love it.”  Personally, from knowing Marty all this time and now getting to know her background even better, I have gotten the idea, and it’s easy to understand by her bubbly personality, that when she speaks of the arts, she says it with adoration, and means it.

Which, when she could not give an answer to the next question, makes since.  I asked her what her favorite acting experience was.  She could not give one, but rather had a whole long list.  Marty shared "To be able to work with a cast where everyone is totally in sync with each other, that, in itself, is so exhilerating!"

Marty is union eligible, but, she says “Florida being a non-union state, I’ve been able to steadily work as non-union.  I plan to change that when Spielberg calls me.”

 Marty Wisher - young actress of Romper Room fame

Behind the camera was an experience Marty never had until the film “Light.”  She said “Light” was her first time working behind film scenes, and now she is hooked. She added “I’ve been directing stage for years.  This is a whole new exciting adventure.”      

When it came to castings, Ms Wisher always gave her acting students this advice “Go on as many castings as you can. You can gain knowledge from every experience, whether it’s good or bad.”  She said that she went to a casting, herself once, with laryngitis.  She did not get the part, but the casting director remembered her.  Her agent was called when the next gig came up, and that same casting director asked if her voice was working yet and if she was available.  To that she replies “So, you never know!”

In pre-production for “Light” there were many castings.  And Marty developed a whole new respect for casting agents.  She believes that self confidence is a key to a good casting.  That and being able to think outside the box and give something extra to show personality.

I knew there were mostly children and men cast for “Light.”  So I asked her what it was like working with both - children and adults.  She said that they each have their challenges and advantages.  According to Marty adults are more seasoned, but she found out, too, that old habits die hard.  She feels that children may have less experience but can be uninhibited.

“Knowing your script, even if it changes along the way, is very important.”  Marty added that she could direct anyone better and get the needed shots if the actors knew their lines and understood the scene.
 

Marty sees her future as a massive success for her movie “Light” and a sequel!”  She said she’s signed on with an agent in Orlando, and is excited to see success in a bigger market.  That will involve some traveling, hopefully, but now that her children are teens, it will be easier to go further than just to the local market.  

That wraps it up for a visit with Marty Wisher, entertainer and artist of many genre, including most recently adding film director to her repertoire.  Be ready to be the first in line at the box office to see “Light!”

~ To get a sneak preview of video footage of "Light" go to Starlight Productions, which is hyperlinked above.~