Feb 9
Tracy introduces you to Francesca Joy Rizzo in Episode #64 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Francesca Rizzo is an award-winning actor, writer, producer and director in theater, film, television and digital media. Her powerful and provocative ideas are fueled by her mission to explore, illuminate and celebrate the female experience with passion, humor and imagination. Fran believes that the way the world sees women becomes the way the world treats women so she employs female creativity to even things out. As a college dropout, Fran mined her creative talents for skills she could use to pay the rent in New York City. Along the way she carved out a career as a children’s book illustrator, professional actor, co-founder of a downtown theater company and eventually, as a filmmaker and CEO of MovieBaby Productions, a Tribeca-based media company creating innovative videos, independent films and tv promotional campaigns. After 9/11, Fran went back to the basics, earning her degree in Media Arts as well as the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. While making her mark in the fine arts and interior design, she penned and performed three theatrical productions, curated The Cinema-Femina film series and, created Believe Women, a rape activist initiative that championed the Cosby survivors along their journey to justice. Fran is one of the founding members of ADHD for Smart Ass Women and is now one of our administrators. I regularly introduce her as the most creative person I know. I have talked about her in my podcast and actually have women request to join the ADHD for Smart Ass Women’s FB group just because they want to meet Fran. Fran shares with us: The circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis Her ADHD symptoms How her symptoms got worse in midlife? How important interest is to her driven brain The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success? What she feels is the key to living successfully with ADHD Some ADHD workarounds.
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"Don't ask me. I always say that it's like, I'm not really a great dancer."
- Francesca Rizzo
"I only give myself about an hour to do it. Because otherwise, you know, anybody could do it if you take all day. "
- Francesca Rizzo
"Anytime something got me, I would write down exactly what happened."
- Francesca Rizzo
- Francesca struggled with self-doubt and confusion about her ADHD diagnosis, feeling it didn't fit her personality until she researched it and realized it explained her life and career.
- Francesca shares her experience of feeling demoralized in high school due to lack of support for her artistic talents, leading her to pursue art on her own and eventually enter the workforce as an artist.
- Francesca discusses her career in voiceovers, saying it was a good fit for her as it was fast-paced and didn't require too much planning or organization.
[24:58 - 41:33] Sexism, Activism, and the #MeToo movement
- Francesca describes her process of analyzing movies and writing down sexy, moving, and funny moments, which she later organized into lists for future reference.
- Francesca her personal experience of being drugged and raped, and how it relates to the Cosby trial and the broader issue of sexual assault.
- Francesca recounts how she became involved in the movement after reading about Cosby's alleged crimes online and believing the women's stories despite the initial lack of support from others.
[41:33 - 57:49] Creative Solutions for Laundry and Wardrobe Management
- Francesca emphasizes the importance of identifying and following one's interests and strengths, rather than conforming to societal norms.
- Francesca shares her creative solution to laundry overwhelm: a collapsible clothesline that allows her to hang clothes while watching TV.
- Francesca shares her passion for transformation and creativity through her "Another Week, Another Wig" project, where she transforms into different characters using wigs, makeup, and photography.
Website: www.francescarizzo.com
Facebook: Francesca Joy Rizzo
Instagram: @francescarizzonyc
Great Dames Media
Francesca Unlimited
IMDB
Vimeo: Francesca Rizzo
Youtube: Francesca Rizzo
