Meet Joshua Powell | Producer and Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Powell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In December 2021 I had just graduated from the School of Cinematic Arts, into an industry reeling from a global Pandemic. Job opportunities and internships were scarce, and being an international student, I risked losing my visa and ability to stay and work in the country without finding steady work. I had two main reasons for starting my own business: First, I wanted a dedicated platform to shape the kind of stories I wanted to tell. Secondly, I honestly believed it offered a greater sense of job security! The decision wasn’t easy; starting a business, especially in the creative industry during a period of global uncertainty, was fraught with challenges, but I felt secure enough in the skills I’d learned and, more importantly, the relationships I’d developed in my time in LA that I could make a go of it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What makes my art stand out is a blend of historical intrigue with a modern twist. Take the animated short ‘Balam’ for example; Directed by Guillermo Casarin, this project was a deep dive into combining historical accuracy with artistic creativity, and it was gratifying to see it honored with the Sloan Grant. ‘Balam’ wasn’t just a project; it was a journey back in time, and a celebration of ancient Mayan culture we brought to life with modern animation techniques and storytelling. Similarly, adapting and directing a narrative podcast version of the screenplay ‘Jack and Lou: A Gangster Love Story’ (soon to be a released as feature film) was new and innovative way of bringing a period screenplay to life in an audio format, and the experience was an exhilarating challenge that opened my eyes to the creative opportunities to be found in the Audio medium.

I’m proud of the impactful projects I’ve been involved in. For instance, ‘Backlog’ – a social drama that I had the opportunity to work on, tells a powerful real-life story of a woman’s fight to end the backlog of rape kits in the US. Being a part of such a socially significant project was both an honor and a profound learning experience. It showed me how films can be a force for social change and awareness. There’s also ‘Tracing Imperfection’, a documentary exploring the art of Kintsugi. This project wasn’t just about documenting an art form; it was a metaphorical journey into finding beauty in imperfection and strength in brokenness. This documentary taught me the value of resilience and the importance of sharing cultural narratives.

Working on these projects reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling. They’re not just films; they’re vehicles for change, empathy, and understanding. These experiences have shaped not only my professional path but also my personal worldview.”

Was it easy? Far from it. But every challenge was a chance to grow. I learned to be persistent, the importance of building a solid network, and always staying true to my creative vision.

The primary lessons i’ve learned are about resilience, adaptability, and the power of a good story.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is simple: it’s all about creating experiences that stick with you. Whether it’s through a podcast, animation, documentary or a feature film, the goal is to tell stories that are not just watched, but felt. Looking ahead, I’m all geared up to keep bringing these unique narratives to the forefront, adding my voice to the cinematic world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mum, Catherine, my godmothers Cressida and Nell, and Professor Stephen Flick, who advocated for my admission to the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Website: https://www.jadedcontent.com/

Instagram: just_wizard_things

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-powell-346221b0

Image Credits
Marian Cook Anne Nguyen Christian Kammal Shapley Davis Rielle Li Guillermo Casarin