Film is an Enlightening Path for Director Joshua Powell
Whether you are watching a film or creating one, it’s a journey. Director Joshua Powell is likely so exceptional at this because he is a well-informed traveler. The UK native was born in London, grew up in Berlin, and resided in Paris before visiting Los Angeles and being inspired to pursue filmmaking seemingly late compared to most of his contemporaries. He confides, “I never really considered filmmaking as a career until my first visit to LA. I was at a crossroads in my life and had no real sense of what I wanted to do next. On a whim, I joined some tours looking around colleges with prestigious film programs and learned just how much actually went into making a film. Then I looked around the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and I was hooked. There was an energy to the place I can’t describe; the closest I could get would be a feeling of belonging, of being surrounded by people on the same wavelength as you. I went home to the UK and spent the next 9 months preparing for the application. I applied, got in, and have been working as a filmmaker ever since.”
Entertainment is more segmented than ever before. As a result, audiences are more interested in unique storytelling with uncommon perspectives. Viewers expect the same exceptional skill in delivering a story but they are more curious and open to the unexpected. This inclination resonates with Powell who communicates, “I am always open to new ideas and perspectives. As a director, I would describe myself as a highly creative and collaborative leader who is skilled at bringing together diverse teams to bring a project to life. I have a strong vision for every project I work on and I am dedicated to bringing that vision to reality through careful planning, effective communication, and a deep understanding of the creative process.” This is evident in the diverse films Joshua has directed like Phantom (a twentieth century period piece with a powerful feminist undertone) and Captain World vs. Covid-19 (an animated action comedy about malevolent repercussions from well-intended heroes). It’s obvious that Joshua is the type of filmmaker who feels his creativity is stoked by the challenge of different expectations. He remarks, “Short form films offer their own unique benefits and challenges. Short films are typically more focused and streamlined, allowing filmmakers to experiment with different storytelling techniques and styles without the constraints of a longer runtime. The shorter runtime makes it challenging to tell a fully realized story with complex characters and themes in a limited amount of time. Of course, that challenge is why short films are such an excellent training exercise. Conversely, long form films also allow for a greater degree of world-building and visual storytelling, providing filmmakers with more time to establish the setting and tone of a film. Long form films also come with the potential for greater exposure and recognition, and can have a significant impact on a filmmaker’s career and reputation. I think of the length of the film as an opportunity to let boundaries inspire ideas. It’s important to me as a filmmaker to focus on the unique parameters of each situation and let that drive my creativity.”
Filmmaking is not easy. It requires a herculean amount of effort and time without any guarantee of compensation. For the most talented, like Joshua Powell, awards and income are not as attractive as the opportunity to create as part of a community. Joshua has traversed the planet in his creative aspirations and discovered that only by taking that leap of faith can self-discovery really occur. The films he makes are meant to inspire and his own story is where this emanates from. A great director must believe in themselves in order to instill the confidence of so many cast and crew members who feed upon it. As an audience, we believe because the filmmakers believe. More than most, Joshua Powell believes in the power of a story to inspire.
Writer: Calvin Hooney
