Ep 195: Pamela Uzzell: 'Welcome To The Neighborhood' – A Bay Area Battle

Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

Welcome to another compelling episode of Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby, where today we have the honor of hosting Pamela Uzzell, an esteemed documentary producer, director, and editor. Her feature-length documentary, "Unearthing the Dream," not only graced Arkansas Public Television as a highlight of their independent producer series but also clinched Best Documentary at the Arkansas Black Independent Film Festival and garnered an Indie Award of Merit.
Pamela's academic journey is as illustrious as her career—she's a proud alumna of Brown University, holding an MFA in Cinema from San Francisco State University. Her incredible depth of experience spans over twenty feature films in post-production, including major blockbusters like "Godfather III," "Terminator 2," and the critically acclaimed "Dead Poets’ Society."
Beyond her impressive body of work, Uzzell is an active member of both the Bay Area Video Coalition and The San Francisco Film Society, championing the art of filmmaking and its transformative power.
In this episode, we delve into Pamela's latest directorial venture that puts the spotlight on the Bay Area housing crisis—a poignant narrative that not only showcases individual resilience but also casts a critical eye on the pressing issue of gentrification.
The documentary, "Welcome To The Neighborhood," follows artist Mildred Howard, the daughter of the legendary Berkeley activist Mable Howard, as she faces the loss of her South Berkeley home due to escalating rental prices—a personal tragedy that represents a much larger communal loss of heritage and diversity.
We'll explore the journey of the Howard family and how they symbolize both the strength found in adversity and the collective fight against a housing crisis that poses a significant threat to community diversity and inclusivity.
Don't miss this episode's visual companion, the trailer for "Welcome To The Neighborhood," available for viewing now.
Join us in this intimate conversation with Pamela Uzzell as we uncover the stories behind the statistics and the human impact of urban transformation.
Remember to subscribe to Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby to never miss an episode that dives deep into the world of film and those who make it possible.
Links:
Watch the Trailer: https://www.welcometotheneighborhoodfilm.com/trailer
DVD Purchase: https://www.welcometotheneighborhoodfilm.com/packages/dvd
Learn More about Pamela Uzzell: https://www.welcometotheneighborhoodfilm.com/team
Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on the next Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby
Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: The People of Brixton
Damien Swaby Social Media Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmaker_damien_swaby/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FDamienSwaby
Website: https://www.swabyfilms.co.uk
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