Meet Bob Celli

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bob Celli. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bob below.

Bob , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I do not think one is ever finished developing one’s confidence and/or self-esteem. The truth is that being in the acting and filmmaking community, one is constantly being bombarded by praise or negativity and rejection. You walk a fine line with confidence and self-esteem. I personally try to choose projects that resonate with me and I would be proud to work on. I believe that working on something that you believe in makes you strive to be your best self in those projects and in life. My confidence and feeling of self worth come from being happy with who I am as a person. What I do and who I am are two different things.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At the moment I am looking forward to the premiere of a short film I wrote, acted in, and directed. It will be making its premiere at the 18th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival at the end of February, where it has been nominated for Best Ensemble Cast and Best Score. I’m excited to see how it resonates with an audience. We were able to put together a great team of talent and I want their efforts to be recognized.

I have also completed a dramatic feature script in the vein of American Sniper, Hurt Locker, and Atonement. It is a story about duty, the bond that develops between soldiers, second chances, love, sacrifice, and the inner demons we all have but seldom have the courage to face.

I am proud member SAG-AFTRA and AEA. I have co-starred on City on a Hill, FBI:Most Wanted, The Blacklist and Gotham. I appeared on The Onion News Network, As The World Turns, Going Home. The Keeper, and Because I Love You. Directing credits include Going Home, Figs For Italo, Brooklyn In July, The Keeper, My Over There, and Because I Love You.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
To me, these two questions are really the same. First and foremost, always treat people the way you want to be treated. We have all been in situations in which we have been made to feel less than and/or inferior. I never want that energy around me and I will never tolerate it on any of my projects. I try not to take anything personally. As I stated earlier, a large part of the arts is filled with rejection and most of the negativity you receive from others stems from their own insecurities. It helps me to remember that everyone is insecure about something. Just be compassionate. Just do the work. Always arrive prepared and strive to be your best. You would not want someone to waste your time, so don’t waste their time. Be present and always stay open to other opinions. You may be surprised at what happens when you do. Remember no one is perfect. Perfection does not exist, so take advantage of those imperfections or challenges and they will inspire you to be better and improve your confidence.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
This may be the easiest question to answer. While the list of fellow filmmakers who have inspired and challenged me is long, it really comes down to one person. My wife and producing partner at DelanoCelli Productions, Laura Delano. She is my sounding board for all my writing and is my collaborator on all our projects. She is always there with endless support, advice, and she is completely honest with her guidance. That means realizing that sometimes you have the answers and sometimes you don’t. Because none of what I do can be accomplished in a bubble, it’s important to be surrounded with people who are honest with you and help you become a better artist and human. Laura has been and is that for me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ken Kotowski, Charles Chessler, Laura Delano

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