The founder and editor-in-chief of the prestigious online film journal Bright Wall/Dark Room, Chad Perman first started the site on Tumblr in his living room in 2009 after years spent wondering if there was a way to talk differently - more emotionally, more humanly - about movies.

Almost four years (and 220,000 followers) later, he decided to expand things and launched a magazine/journal version of BW/DR in June 2013 with a small staff of friends and collaborators devoted to looking at movies in unique ways. Together, they've put out a new issue every single month for the past 7 years and worked to create a vibrant and inclusive community of writers, readers, and supporters.

Having earned a B.A. in English and Cinema Studies from the University of Washington, Chad received a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from PLU. Additionally, a practicing mental health therapist, Chad has worked in the field for over 15 years. Currently in private practice and working with both individuals and couples, he specializes in treating writers, artists, and other creatives.

In this rich, fascinating episode, I was honored to talk to the friendly, contemplative Chad Perman about not only the start of BW/DR (and the talented collaborators that helped him get it up and running) but also his own background with and relationship to film.

Featuring multiple shout-outs to colleagues and friends (especially past guests Brianna Ashby and Travis Woods) as well as a celebration of late '80s fare, this hour-long discussion touches on everything from Scarecrow Video to Chad's advice for creatives working in a pandemic. Available to listen to in this post, you can also find Watch With Jen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.

Originally Posted on Patreon (10/12/20) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/42674486

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive