Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Powell.
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first got into the world of film back in high school. I took a multimedia class, and my teacher Mr. Calder opened my eyes to what the movies can be, he even loaned me Shaolin Soccer (which is amazing).
After high school I went to FAU for multimedia studies where I got more theory than film but later found my college film family. In my junior year I got the opportunity to be a Production Assistant on a Reality TV that would be filming for about a year called “Going Home with Tyler Cameron”. So, I decided with the push from my dad and later whole family and friends to take the gig leave school for a bit and move up to Jupiter, Florida for the next ten months. That is where I got the most hands-on experience with the crew. I worked most with the camera department during shoot days and that turned me on what you can do with your tools and the magic you can make.
Under the main camera team of Cinematographer and A Camera Eric Englert, B Camera Op Ben Eastman and Assistant Camera Adam Ikramelahai I got my bearings on the art form. I still think back to those days and reminisce about it sometimes.
After the show I went on to be a Second Assistant Camera for two feature films. Which was a big jump from basically Camera PA to being on the main camera team, but I took it with pride and was eager to learn more and more. After the fun of like a year and a half I had to go back school where I went on to shoot student films and with friends and graduate with my Bachelor’s in Multimedia Studies
After I graduated, I went on to help shoot some more student short films with my friends and meet many of the people I still work with today. I also got to shoot my first full short film as cinematographer called “Where the Water and I meet” by Briana Tinaco Lugo which I’m really proud about and can’t wait for it to come out I later found a job at a corporate production company where I still work today as my day job.
I’m still the camera department nerd I started out being and operate, assist and DP when I get the chance. My story is full of pushing myself to take the next step and being open to meeting new people and taking opportunities as they come
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think one of my hardest struggles was trying to stay on the path of pursuing a film career. I’ve had days that I second guess the career path I’ve chosen but after seeing some of my favorite movies not only tell amazing stories and make beautiful images but also impact global cultural makes me want to strive harder to make it possible.
It also doesn’t hurt seeing friends that I’ve met along the way rise up and get better each day that truly inspires me to work even harder towards my goal.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work in the Film and Television world. I specialize in the camera department In that realm I take on the roles of Assistant Camera, Camera Operator and Director of Photography. I find that I can be the most creative when I take on the Director of Photography role. Being able to create a world that I can bring others into is a privilege that I’m honored to have
What makes you happy?
I’ve always told people that being able to help them go into a different world and help with their escapism is something that I love to get to do.
Also being able to take the medium I do and teach people things that they may have not known otherwise is also a great treat
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Boredasjosh / @Intothegardenfilms
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaconpowell?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Youtube: Into the Garden Films
