Beth Webb is a film journalist and podcast host. I came across her work on Empire Magazine and The Bechdel Test. Beth left her corporate job in her twenties to pursue her love for writing and has now is an established voice within the film community, She is someone who I look up to and admire as a writer and just overall human. She has a wonderful joyous personality and a deep love for film which shines through in the conversation we had.
When did you first fall in love with Film?
My Dad was an editor for a regional newspaper and he wanted to review films so we got to the cinema a lot when I was little. He took me to see the little mermaid in Swindon. It was cool to see this as a kid and was an integral part of my childhood. I remember being allowed in the projection room. It was a magical place. It also opened up things with my dad who is rather stoic.
I know for me Cinemas are one of my sacred places. How excited are you to see people heading back to the cinemas? What does the experience or ritual of going to the pictures mean to you?
It is hard to put into words. It is everything I love about it. The community of cinema is the most important to me. Some of my most memorable moments are not always about the film but the audience engagement. I went to the Picture house Cinema last month and the graphic card got me going. It has been very missed and it is more valuable now more than ever.
How did you get into journalism?
It marries my love of film and writing. Its dominance in our house, and the process of elimination. I was just good at writing. I gravitated towards writing and the craft of writing. It was an easy thing to realise.
You are part of the Bechdel Test team. For the uninitiated explain what that is and why it is important.
Corrina Antrobus started this but The Bechdel Test has been going for 7 years and is a celebration of women in film based on the Bechdel test. They have to follow three rules, a scene with a woman at the same time, both women have to talk to each other and have a discussion about anything aside from men. Very few films passed that. I was looking for an outlet and I saw on Facebook they were looking for volunteers. She (Corrina) organised snacks and she was wearing dungaree shorts, she had some leadership about her and I wanted to see this through. I started handing out leaflets and being part of their events. I got the courage to program the event and I have programmed events ever since. Doing something yourself is so nice. It is just a good testament to anyone who breaks out in film to do things off your own back.
Do you have anything coming up in the future we need to keep an eye out for?
I did an interview with Tilda Swinton and three months ago I wrote a feature for Shrek 2500 words which is coming out. I am itching to get back to doing Bechdel events. There is nothing better than seeing an audience watch a film you love. We saw the film Moonstruck and everyone was laughing and being present. (The Tilda interview can now be found on the Empire Magazine website)
Is there a film we need to keep an eye out for?
Sensor is a debut feature during an exciting time for horror and women’s voices. It is an example of how horror has been used to explore trauma, grief, and religion. This is such a good example of that. It shows grief and trauma in a really punchy way and the new Fast and Furious film. (Which can still be found playing in some cinemas)
You host The Friday Film Show on Radio Why Now. What made you get into radio?
It is a new platform. I have broadcasting skills but during quarantine, I also had to edit it all myself. They contacted me after reading my work. Why Now was primarily a music platform that wanted to expand. We chatted about the format of the show. I did a pilot for them. It is a music-heavy show along with interviews and reviews. I interviewed Steve Mcqueen for the series Small Axe. I am enjoying exploring that side of things. I usually only get asked to do things related to women in film so it has been nice to branch out. I love it. It has been a tumultuous time for women and we are seeing a change.
You write, present, host podcasts, and events. Do you think it is important for journalists to be across all forms of media?
Not necessarily. I am quite a chatty person which transfers easily into this. A lot of journalists are not interested in this and some of these people are the best writers. It comes down to your ambition. I think for me, this allowed me to create opportunities for myself. I met Corrina through this and our work is how I got to write for Empire. I love having conversations with people and hearing stories. It is such a competitive field so if you can do things yourself on your own accord helps. It is not necessary for everyone to do that. It is a lot of energy.
Out of all the different ways you create content do you have a favourite?
Writing stresses me out more. I was writing a short interview today but it is very rewarding and critical writing is challenging. I like writing interviews or when you come away knowing you got something good.
Is there something you wish you knew before you started your career?
Don’t listen to a lot of people. I went to university and it was during the recession and the digitisation of journalism when print was fizzling out and at uni, no one knew what was going on. It was disheartening. I come from a low-income background it was hard to know I could do this. I worked in finance for four years and was so unhappy. Put on those blinkers and focus on what you want to do and how to get there.
Being a freelance writer it can be hard to find the motivation to get going. What inspires you when you’re feeling down?
It is still a novelty for me as I have been employed for so long. I think it comes from a place of not having a lot of money growing up being economical. Also, look at what we are doing. It is incredible. It is important to stop sometimes and see what you are and what you have done. Take the Tilda Swindon interview for example. If you grew up with film, that is hard to beat. I mean there are hard days but it is all in context. You have to acknowledge sometimes you have a hard day. You may get an article axed but you also have extraordinary highs.
The film industry changed dramatically over the past year. How did it impact the work you did?
I was terrified. The day that bond got pushed, I panicked and emailed my editor. Honestly, I said this knowing how lucky I am, It hasn’t been too bad. I have to commend the publications. I was looking at the films I have watched over the year and so many interesting films were released which have reached new audiences. I was really impressed with how resilient and adaptable the industry was.
The film industry changed dramatically over the past year. How did it impact the work you did?
I was terrified. The day that bond got pushed, I panicked and emailed my editor. Honestly, I said this knowing how lucky I am, It hasn’t been too bad. I have to commend the publications. I was looking at the films I have watched over the year and so many interesting films were released which have reached new audiences. I was really impressed with how resilient and adaptable the industry was.
You can follow Beth Webb on Twitter and look out for her work in Empire Magazine.
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