For each day in the month of February, the African American Steering Committee will be highlighting Local 700’s African American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Deanna Nowell
What’s your job? Picture Editor
List the credits you’re most proud of: I’m proud of most of my credits but I have to say I’m extremely proud of some of my most resent work “Grand Crew,” “Raising Dion,” “Ambitions” and “Sacrifice.”
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? I would have to say my mother, Josie McDougald, is the reason I love films so much. We watched from classic black & white to current movies every weekend. We would talk about the plots, characters and stories afterward. There are quite a few editors I respect but the ones who inspire me the most are Thelma Schoonmaker, ACE, Lillian Benson, ACE, Terilyn A. Shropshire, ACE, Kelley Dixon, ACE and Joi McMillon, ACE.
My current mentors are Rob Hardy, Will Packer, Shannon Baker-Davis, ACE, Angela M. Catanzaro, ACE and Anita Brandt Burgoyne, ACE.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I’m so excited that “Ozark” is back and I’ve just started watching the new season. “The Landscapers,” “King Richard,” “Don’t Look Up” & “Nobody” were all pretty captivating to watch.
What would be your superhero name? “Cool Beans” mainly because its usually my response to everything.
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? I would have to say listening to my grandmother tell stories about growing up in the deep south working the land then finally moving to Chicago during the Great Migration. They did what they had to do in order for me to be able to do what I want to do.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Keep learning always be a student.
What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I dabble in cosplay and I usually portray Wonder Woman (DC comics), Rocket (DC comics), Wolverine-X23 (Marvel comics) or Storm (Marvel comics).
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? When Dwayne Wayne crashed Whitley Gilbert’s wedding on “A Different World” and the musical numbers in “School Daze” Ironically enough, both influenced me to attend an HBCU. I’m a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University.
Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? When I saw “The Usual Suspects” and the opening credits to“ Snatch” I knew then I wanted to be an editor.
What’s your personal/professional mantra? My college motto “Find a Way or Make One” I live this every single day in my personal and professional life.
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? I wouldn’t necessarily say speechless because I had a lot to say after I saw it, but “The Harder They Fall” was super inspirational in so many ways. I loved the editing by Tom Eagle, ACE and the star-studded cast was phenomenal.
What would be your dream project to work on? I have a couple of dream projects, Marvel ANYTHING and I love romantic comedies so I would love to edit a ROMCOM feature film.
