Being Geek Chic is a blog for stylish geeks, sophisticated nerds and people who enjoy the musings of a complete dork. Join us as we dream of driving the TARDIS, cuddle with our eBooks and test out an iPad sleeve. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi and a team of brilliant lady nerds. Meet the team.
Allow us to introduce you to Jenni Powell (@JenniPowell on Twitter). She has a job many of us would kill for – Content and Speaker Coordinator of VidCon. (She’s also worked as a producer for The Guild, A&E’s Deadliest Catch and lots of other internet awesomeness… so yeah, girl has got cred.)
But on top of that, she’s the producer of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, an online, modernized retelling of Pride and Prejudice, complete with Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and video diaries. To give a quick rundown: Lizzie is 24, and a grad student in mass communication, Jane is a fashion merchandise coordinator, Lydia’s a flirty, feisty high school girl, etc.
Oh! And Mr. Darcy has a Twitter account (@wmdarcy).
Before you dive into Austen à la 2013, check our Powell’s interview with BGC:
Q: What has led you to your passion?
A: I took a long, round-about way of getting to where I am now. When I was a kid, I was incredibly shy and my Mom actually put me in dance lessons to help bring me out of my shell. It was the best thing she could have ever done for me as it sparked a love of performing in me. I originally wanted to go into acting but in college, my Mom (the women is full of awesome ideas that have made my life better) suggested I try something else for the first couple of years since I needed to take general ed classes anyway. I fell in love with Psychology and actually have a degree in Social Psychology from San Diego State University. I was in the middle of doing a master’s degree in the same subject when I basically realized there was this entire other thing that I had at one time really wanted to do and never tried. So I quit school and moved to Los Angeles and tried to get into acting. I ended up running a theater company and worked in production on a ton of student films and found I enjoyed that more. So that’s how I ended up as a producer and it is truly what I’m passionate about. The greatest thing about it is the producing uses a ton of the skills I learned in college and I get to learn new things every day because every project is a new experience.
Q: Why did you decide to be involved with The Lizzie Bennet Diaries?
A: One of the major reasons is because I adore Hank Green and Bernie Su. I worked with Hank on VidCon prior to LBD and Bernie and I had been good friends for many, many years and always said we wanted to work with each other more extensively. Then Hank and Bernie got together and BOOM, I got to work with both of them at the same time! I also loved the concept of adapting a novel to YouTube, it was something Hank and I had had long discussions about prior to LBD happening. It just seemed like everything was aligning to make this be an awesome project and I’m so glad my instincts were correct and that Hank and Bernie trusted me to help them make this project a reality.
Q: If you could take any fictional character out for a drink, whom would you choose, and what would you drink?
A: I’d have to say Snoopy. That dog seems like he knows how to party and has lead a fascinating life. I mean, he was WWI Flying Ace! And we’d definitely drink Manhattans. In a den with a large fireplace. While smoking cigars. And I would be able to speak “dog.”
Q: When did you first realize you were “geeky?”
A: I guess I’ve never really considered that question before. I guess I just always have been? That brings up a larger debate of course…are you born “geek” or are geeks made? Discuss amongst yourselves.
Q: What would you tell your 13-year-old self?
A: Don’t worry, you’ll meet this guy Stuart and everything will be awesome. And don’t worry about those knobby knees, they go away. And you’ll get boobs and they will be spectacular.
Q: What would be the title of your memoir?
A: Welcome to Cheeseville
Emma Bauer is a Being Geek Chic Contributor. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, history scholar, tea drinker, fashion devotee, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic.
Follow her on twitter: @emmalynnbauer
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