Pamela Edwards McClafferty is a writer, bestselling author, award winning producer, a clothing designer and songwriter. From the museums and opera halls of Europe to the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and to 7th Avenue Fashion, she has been exposed and influenced by the world’s artists and their art.
At eleven years old, she began singing. On scholarship at seventeen, she sang throughout Europe with the Southern California Youth Chorale. In between her studies as a music major at the University of Arizona, she received scholarships to the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera. Pamela recorded an album with the Unusual We which was remaster by Battiste on Beatbal/Shagadelic label and is still selling in Japan, South Korean and now on Amazon. Her bestselling novel, In the Name of Todd, which Michael Landon optioned as a mini Series, premiered at the same time her Pamela Edwards designs were selling on 7 th Avenue in New York to Bonwitt Teller, Bloomingdales and over 90 specialty stores.
In the 1990’s Pamela sold her design business to co-found Spellbound Pictures with her best friend and exceptionally talented husband, Producer/Writer Mark McClafferty. Creating an international consortium, they raised 60 million dollars with Canal +/Ellipse Programme to produce 12 Family Films, including the highly acclaimed film, The Climb, which received six international film festival awards including the Unicef Award in Berlin.
Pamela edited the novel, Blue, written by Walter Jones, which became a Spellbound best seller. In 2024 she continues to support Walter’s legacy, launching BLUE in 3rd Edition on Amazon. Shades of Black and White, premieres on her concept Album, NOW, June 1, 2024. Pamela’s bestseller, In the Name of Todd, is being rewritten and will be released Christmas 2024. Spellbound has several projects in development including an optioned superhero series with creator Hunter Barella. Executive Produced/Produced by Mark McClafferty, Pamela Edwards McClafferty and David Garber.
Over a decade ago, Mark introduced Pamela to multi Grammy Award Winner Stanley Clarke. The pair have collaborated on Artland the Musical ever since. Whether in town or away on tours or productions; whether on Skype, Facetime or Zoom or working in the studio; whether rehearsals and/or rewrites and re-recordings galore, they have collaborated through 5 readings, 4 workshops and 6 months as the first original musical to enter the curriculum at the Los Angeles High School for The Arts. At semester’s end, a group from The Festival of New American Musicals, attended Artland rehearsals at LACHSA and recommended Artland to their subscribers to attend the Artland Workshop performances at the Caroline Leonetti Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. To top off the 5th Month of 2024, Pamela and Stanley have recently put the finishing touches on Artland and it is with their representatives in New York. Pamela is an Emeritus member of SAG, AFTRA & AGVA and a member of ASCAP. From WWD to Star Search and In Style, Pamela has received accolades for her designs and writing and has won three Film Festival Awards.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My business is 24/7. Every day has a purpose. Every day has goals. The world is a canvas. The Imagination doesn’t punch a timecard.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I don’t bring ideas to life. They bring me to life. They challenge me to evaluate all their flaws and vulnerabilities and their strengths and advantages. They are demanding creatures – always insisting I create paths for their goals and success. If you love your ideas and fail miserably don’t let go. Do as Winston Church said. “If you are going through hell keep on going.” There’s nothing worse than “What ifs” that is unless you don’t know when to quit. Therein lies the rub.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I don’t adhere to trends much – they can stifle creativity. I listen and I learn, but I guard originality.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
In the past, I looked for a positive with any project I worked on. Lately I only work on projects I totally believe in.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I have to turn this question on its head. I can only thank my younger self for never giving up on life, love, and work unless all alternatives were exhausted. I wish I could hang out with her now. She reminds me every day what is important.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I love this question, but I don’t have an answer. I don’t get out much.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Keep growing and learning. Stay curious and passionate about life. Laughter is a must.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Wink at myself in the mirror.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I love what I do and believe in my projects. Focus is just a word, but if you do it well, it’s a powerful vehicle to launch a well-thought-out project. Excitement breeds excitement and success.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I don’t have one failure, I have many! Whether it’s a draft of my writing rejected or draping a mannequin with a new design that falls apart, in the past, I have lost money and credibility. That is until I dusted myself off and tried again. My dad gave me UCLA Basketball coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success when I was 10. We also shared a favorite quote “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela. Of course, Malcolm X said it equally as succinctly. “Stumbling is not falling.” And of course, the great Michael Jordon, “I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Don’t quit! If one project doesn’t work, another will. If one approach is wrong, there’s another that will. Find it. Don’t quit.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
From Finale Draft (plays and novels) to Final Cut to edit film. From Finale to ProTools to edit music to Mircosoft word, powerpoint and Adobe for photos, presentations and Quickbook Pro. And I would not survive without Search Engines for research, dictionaries and the like.contracts.too.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
I bought INK and Paper to write my partner/husband a love note.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
Shogun a historical masterpiece and character study of philosophies of thought-provoking men and women. “Where Does it Hurt?” Poet Warsan Shire. Anything Tom Friedman and Neil deGrasse have to say. To name just a few.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Shogun is out again. Yellowstone, Sons of Anarchy for their characters – Jon Stewart and David Chappelle, the thinking comedians. Fareed Zakaria, Elizabeth Ward News
Key learnings:
1. Imagination doesn’t punch a timecard.
2. I study trends, but I don’t live by them. They stifle creativity
3. A sense of humor is all important
4.”Stumbling is not Falling” (Malcolm X) although “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela
5. I don’t bring ideas to life. They bring me to life!