FWM recently caught up with Writer and Director, Pamela Perrine, to discuss her new film “The Journeyman” starring Jay Mohr, and featuring the song, “The Last Day,” by Moby and Skylar Gray.
FWM: When did discover your love for writing?
When I was young, my family moved around a lot. I started to write in journals as a way of expressing my frustration by having to move so many times, leaving friends, neighbors, schools etc., As my journaling progressed, it became more detailed. It wasn’t until years later I looked back at those journals and was moved by the detail and emotion of such a young girl. I laughed, I cried, and it inspired me to write my first screenplay. I’ve been writing ever since.
FWM: Where do you draw your inspiration?
I’m inspired by ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Those who defy the odds, humbly make sacrifices, make things happen with no expectation of receiving credit, having the favor returned, or hoping it will go viral on YouTube. I love to see changes taking place in people’s lives, in families, communities, schools, all because of someone’s story or actions. These don’t have to be radical or always political, but are changes of the heart, which in turn can bolster waves of change. These changes often come with a price, and obstacles to overcome. Nothing comes easy when overcoming adversity. I like to use those difficult times as the focal point of my inspiration and go from there. Sometimes I find a location, hear a song or a dream, write a script around it.
FWM: When did you make your directorial debut?
In 2018, with Angels in Rocket Field in which I wrote, produced and directed.
FWM: Tell us about your recent film, “The Journeyman.”
The Journeyman is about a mother’s desire to be reunited with her son. She believes her love is stronger than the mental disease that has taken him away from her. This story is about her fight to stay alive. —My hope for this film is that people will pay attention. So many people with mental health problems are ignored, misdiagnosed, and mistreated when their sickness should be taken as seriously as any other life-threatening disease. Also, families, must they keep breaking up? The effects this has on the children, is devastating.
We’ve known this for years, but the statistics for both of these situations, are staggering. Broken homes and misdiagnosed mental cases on average is ten years. Perhaps we should start by changing the term “broken home”, which has a direct negative effect on the child hearing this. This film addresses all of these issues. The Journeyman stars Jay Mohr, and features the song, “The Last Day,” by Moby and Skylar Gray.
FWM: How have you changed the world?
I haven’t changed the world yet, but the world has changed me. As a result of these changes, I’ve been able to reach goals and open doors for myself, that I might have missed otherwise. I’ve realized it’s through my filmmaking I can make a difference, one scene at a time, one heart at a time. Maybe I’ve helped change someone’s world, it doesn’t get any better than that.
FWM: What themes run through your writing?
Moral dilemmas, betrayal, mystery, and redemption.
FWM: Tell us about your company, The Hawk Swoops Productions.
I created my own production company in 2018, to have control over my projects, for tax and legal reasons, and to eventually find collaborators and secure financing for films in development. Once the films were released my goal was and is to stand on my own, financing all acquiring my content and taking on other projects, and acquiring more gear and equipment, as well as employees. The name “The Hawk Swoops” comes from my favorite poem, ”Dreams,” by Langston Hughes, the first verse:
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
“I never wanted to be that broken-winged bird letting go of my dreams.”
FWM: As a member of the Alliance of Women Directors, what challenges do you see in the industry?
Well, a few years ago it was one female director for every 22 male directors, so that has improved. However, even with studios that have committed to the “4% challenge”, female contributions still are not recognized equally. We have a long way to go. For example, there is no indication that the pay scale has changed. There still needs to be more female editors, producers, and cinematographers. Marketing and distribution isn’t where it should be either.
I just read that Netflix has canceled 8 series created by women. So overall, there are some improvements, and I see more changes forthcoming, but I feel that as with any strong role in any career or hierarchy, team, the woman’s role is always the one least likely to be taken as seriously, a liability, if you will. More than hiring challenges need to be implemented, the entire landscape needs to change.
FWM: What is your mantra?
“All the happy things…”
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