A life’s work: Making movies was filmmaker’s passion
PJ Macomber, filmmaker, died last week. Making movies was his passion.
Friends and extended family loved to spend time with him. He was funny and welcoming. He put people at ease and often did things just to make someone smile.
One of his greatest talents was telling stories. No matter how many times he’d retell a story, it was funny. His comedic timing was excellent, and he had a knack for finding humor in the offbeat and ordinary.
He carried that into his life’s work: filmmaking.
From early on, he yearned to be a filmmaker. He pulled friends into the creation process. Other friendships developed because of his love of movies. Even I had a good story when someone would ask how we met. “He was making a movie,” I’d say, “and I got a part in it.”
It seemed to me he was happiest when he was making movies.
Whether it was writing a script, building puppets for a children’s program or designing props for a horror movie, he enjoyed the hands-on preparation. Watching it come together into a finished product was equally pleasing to him, as he edited, adding sound and special effects, titles, music, credits and everything that makes a movie a movie.
But he loved it most when he was producing a movie, with actors and a director on the set. No matter the long hours, bitter cold, cramped conditions or heavy work, he loved being on set and creating movie magic with his friends. That was his joy.
During his life, he worked on many projects. When we screened finished films for an audience, he was thrilled, proud and terrified. He desperately wanted people to like what he’d created.
Yet, the joy was in the journey. The creation of those movies is what motivated him. He loved the process and was excited when he got the idea for his next film. I understand he was working on a new project. I hope he was enjoying it as much as he had all of the others.
He was 54. Too soon, his time is over. The director has called “Cut,” and the lights fade to black.
Farewell, PJ. We miss you.
12 COMMENTS
Beautiful.
Thank you.
What a beautiful well-written tribute!
Thank you for your kind words.
Gone too soon. Remembered forever
Yes, and yes. Thank you.
He really was passionate about his movies and creativity in general. His passing was too soon. Thanks for sharing Mysti.
Yes, he was. Thank you for commenting.
Well said. Everyone has a passion. That was his for sure. But overall just a creative soul. Always enjoyed movie and show conversations. His impersonations and of course time played in early years with the c64. Life is short. Find your passion.
Thank you for sharing and distilling the message: Life is short. Find your passion.
That’s every bit Pete as I remember him. I’ll miss my old friend who I had only reconnected with the last few years. Beautifuly written.
Thank you for your kind words. We will miss him.