Writing feature articles for FF2 Media and being a part of this strong and independent group of women is certainly a highlight of my film criticism career. While women tend to be an underrepresented group in the film industry, this organization buoys female filmmakers, writers, and directors, allowing me to help them have a stronger voice. However, getting to this point has been a long and winding road for me.
As a former speech-language pathologist with my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Valparaiso and Northwestern Universities, respectively, I gave up my career to raise my two children who are now adults. Jumping back into the workforce in the field of film criticism was completely coincidental, but with my education and life skills, especially as a female, it seemed like a perfect fit. A love of travel seemed to create an ideal situation for me as I attend film festivals all over the world. Print journalism and radio were a natural progression for my new-found experiences and I write for numerous outlets and make guest appearances on several radio shows to chat about films and festivals.
Balancing family, film, and life in general is not an easy task as I want to do it all and do it all well. Trying new skills and taking new adventures is a must for me, but much of it, ironically, is inspired by films. Hiking and backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail in the backcountry of Oregon, trekking 75 miles, is one trip inspired by the movie (and book) Wild. This year it’s Steve Coogin’s Trip to Italy and Martha Stephens’ Land Ho as well as Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty that is driving me to explore the wine country and foods of Northern Italy and then to the geysers and volcanoes of Iceland.
Spending time at home also gives me time to enjoy my “kids” when they are here as well as my best four-legged friend, Charlie, a miniature Australian Shepherd. Training for triathlons, gardening, cooking, and baking fill my spare time, but my favorite thing to do is drink wine on the deck and chat with my family and friends. There’s nothing more enjoyable than a relaxed summer evening on the deck.
Entering into this profession at a later point in my life has given me a unique perspective in work and life, but being a part of this ever-growing group at FF2 Media fills me with the greatest sense of pride. I can’t wait to see what adventure the next film is going to inspire!
Posts include: “Drifter film ‘D-Love’ a balancing act for director Elena Beuca,” “Zoe Lister-Jones pulls triple duty for ‘Band Aid,’ enlists all-female crew,” “‘To the Moon and Back’ tackles politics of Russian Adoption Ban,” “SXSW highlights outstanding female filmmakers,” “‘Heather Booth’ director highlights life of social activist”
© Pamela Powell (7/19/17) FF2 Media
Photos: Hiking and camping along the PCT, Wine at Deer Valley concert, Lunch break along the Eagle Creek Trail, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, Sundance Film Festival, Headshot
Photo Credits: Pamela Powell
