Pamela M. Carbonero

Unaffiliated

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
My first professionally directed work was a short film called The Big Picture that I was hired for that we shot in early 2023. I have yet to professionally direct my first commercial or branded work but something tells me it’s coming up soon!

How did you get into directing?
It started in college as a freshman when I was a theatre major. I had chosen to take a film production class out of general curiosity. In that class, we role played different production positions, such as director, producer, etc. When it came time for me to play the director, I remember the professor asking me what I wanted, and at the time, not knowing exactly what a director did, I looked over at the producer and asked them what they want. The professor immediately stopped me and said, “No, this isn’t what the producer wants, what do YOU want?” And it was right then and there that I realized what a director does and quite literally had an epiphany on the drive home that night that I’m meant to be a director, not an actor. I went back the next week and changed my major from theatre to film and graduated with my BA in TV, Film and Media Studies with complete clarity that I will be a director in this industry. And it’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

What is your most recent project?
The most recent project I directed was the finale of a 12 episode mini TV series I co-created through the LA Director’s Lab. Before that, I most recently directed an Athleta spot that I’m really proud of!

What is the best part of being a director?
The best part of being a director is the collaboration with everyone that comes onto the project, whether in front of or behind the camera, that help bring your vision to life. I also truly love discovering characters with actors. It’s truly a surreal and quite satisfying feeling and experience.

What is the worst part of being a director?
I don’t really feel like there is a worst part of being a director however at times, it’s not as fun when you’re told your idea isn’t as doable or might be too much to fund. But other than that, I truly love every aspect of being a director.

What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
My current career focus is commercials and branded content. I want to corner the fitness/athletic/sport market with heartfelt storytelling as a Latina director. However, if I’m going to be completely honest, I want and will dominate in all avenues. I love narrative storytelling and will also do features and eventually get into episodic directing. A particular genre I want to be known for is psychological thrillers and drama/emotional gut-wrenching, human storytelling.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
I’ve been lucky to be mentored by Jordan Brady through the Commercial Directing Film School. His expertise has been great for my understanding of how the commercial directing world works. He was also a wonderful sounding board for my first commercial, “I Miss You, Mom” that got me into this year’s New Director’s Showcase! Very grateful!

Who is your favorite director and why?
It’s a tie between Christopher Nolan and Jordan Peele. As a psychological thriller fan, I absolutely love putting puzzle pieces together – it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of being an audience member. I like to think and I like to process and figure things out. I have an insatiable logical side to my brain that wants and likes the struggle of “figuring it out.” And Nolan and Peele to a wonderful job of giving me exactly that and I hope to follow in their creative steps to produce the best psychological stories to date.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
Top 3 favorite movies are:

1. Inception
2. Get Out
3. A tie between Ever After and Inglorious Bastards.

My favorite TV shows is Ted Lasso, but one of the smartest is Behind Her Eyes.

Favorite commercial is a tie between Nike’s “Rise of the Kids – Sport is Never Done” and Nike’s “Juntas Imparables.” I dream of directing spots just like those.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?) 
I am a first generation Colombian-American, born in Queens, NY and grew up in San Antonio. Right after high school, I came out to LA to go to school at Cal State LA and got my degree in TV, Film and Media Studies. I grew up as an athlete and I spent 12 years of my life after graduating as a CrossFit coach and athlete. In between all of that, I would try to direct my own independent projects and learn as much as I could about being a filmmaker. I officially came back into the film industry after the pandemic in 2021. By the middle of 2023, I was full time as a 1st AD and have been full throttle ever since!

Have you had occasion to bring your storytelling/directorial talent to bear in the Metaverse, tapping into the potential of AR, VR, AI, NFTs and/or experiential fare? If so, tell us about that work and what lessons you have taken away from the experience?
I have not had the occasion to bring my storytelling/directorial talent to the Metaverse.

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