REEL WOMEN: Amy Pais-Richer

AMy Pais-richer

Editor’s Note: Welcome to REEL WOMEN, our annual tribute to dynamic women in creative industries. As we Celebrate Women’s History Month throughout the month of March, let us introduce you to some very special women, like former advertising creative turned artist and screenwriter Amy Pais-Richer.

After two decades of writing and art directing advertisements for renowned brands such as Budweiser, Cadillac, General Mills, and others – including prestigious Super Bowl campaigns – the multitalented Amy Pais Richer has expanded her creative horizons into the realm of screenwriting.

In addition to her successful career in advertising, Amy has ventured into various writing endeavors, including crafting short stories, delving into the intricacies of historical fiction with a novel, and most recently, venturing into the development of a screenplay titled Murdering Van Gogh.

Her artistic expression extends beyond the written word, as she also channels her creativity into her vibrant paintings. Amy’s work is a fusion of her passion for 18th-century botanicals, French architecture, landscape design, and antique textiles. Renowned for her dynamic use of color, energetic brushstrokes, and thematic focus on nature, Pais-Richer’s paintings explore the interplay of light, atmosphere, and the inherent beauty of the natural world.

“Quite simply, I want to make the world more beautiful, one painting at a time,” says Amy Pais-Richer, encapsulating her artistic mission and passion for creating art that uplifts and inspires.

Let’s meet Amy!

What’s your origin story?

I grew up in rural Michigan, in the middle of nowhere. (Blue collar, red neck) Our home was surrounded by forests overlooking a creek bed, very few neighbors, extremely isolated and we were poor. Our rickety TV set with tinfoil on the antennas only worked intermittently so I had to find other ways to entertain myself.

And even though I had three brothers, they wouldn’t hang out with me because I was a girl, so I was alone. I spent my time outside, exploring the forests, observing the animals, becoming friends with nature and creating my own worlds.  These worlds helped me to develop my imagination, which led to my ability to tell stories; that was my outlet, being creative. 

How did you get into screenwriting?

I signed up for a screenwriting class through Chicago Filmmakers. Writing a screenplay was always on my bucket list. Luckily, after 20 years as an advertising copywriter, it was easy for me to transition into writing my screenplay Murdering Van Gogh.

Who were your mentors?

My first female Creative Director Judith Werme was a big influence. Her claim to fame was the Wheaties “What the Big Boys Eat” campaign. I was new to her team at DDB and was also working on Budweiser. I was one of only a few women working on that account. (At that time only men worked on the “man products” like beer.) 

I was young and intimidated and Judith knew it. She took me aside and said, “Amy, you have a choice. You can either play with the big boys or get the f–k out.” Definitely not PC,  but her message resonated with me and still does.  Fear is not real. Fear is a choice and I’ll always choose to stay and play the game. 

While there will be others, what do you consider your biggest achievement to date?

Writing my screenplay Murdering Van Gogh.

What drives you to create?

It’s innate. For as long as I can remember I’ve been making things. Paintings, poetry, and multiple books. In fact, my screenplay Murdering Van Gogh is based on a novel I wrote. 

Who are you dying to work with?

I would love to work with Eddie Redmayne. I wrote Murdering Van Gogh with him in mind as the lead for Vincent.  I think he’s an incredible actor, especially in the film The Theory Of Everything. Also, if I did get to work with him, I’d score major points with my daughter. She’s had a crush on Eddie since she’s been 12! Who can blame her? 

Award you crave, but haven’t won.

I would love to just get my screenplay in the right hands and get the movie made. Oh, and an Oscar would be nice too! 

Coffee, Lunch or Happy Hour

I’d have coffee with Theo Van Gogh and find out why he only sold one of his brother’s paintings during his lifetime, even though he was an extremely successful art dealer for other impressionist artists. I’d also like to introduce social media to him,  perhaps with that modern tool his ability to sell his brother’s work would have been radically different. 

Lunch would be with Johanna Van Gogh Bonger. (The widow of Theo Van Gogh)

Unlike her husband she was able to sell 100’s of Van Gogh’s works, creating a legacy that today would translate to billions of dollars. She’s definitely the kind of woman I’d want in my circle! 

And drinks with Vincent Van Gogh.  I think he’d be pretty fun to get drunk with and I’d like to try absinthe! 

It’s an election year, what is keeping you up at night? 

Another Biden Trump matchup. (Face palm) Enough said. 

Favorite movie and TV show of 2023.

Barbie.

It’s a film that highlights female empowerment, conveying that important message while also managing to be comedic. I think that is the catalyst of Barbie’s popularity; the fact that it is both emotionally invoking and hilarious. Watching Barbie made me realize how marginalized I was in life and all the shit that I took from men over the years.

Song you absolutely go feral for

The song I’ve been obsessed with lately is by Devon Cole called W.I.T.C.H. It’s an acronym for “Woman in Total Control of Herself,” it reclaims the witch as a symbol of women’s resistance. 

According to Cole, “It celebrates women’s strength, autonomy, and rebellion – traits that contradict the patriarchal idea of what a woman should be and how she should behave. Some say that witches were the original resistance fighters, healers, and abortionists.”

Full disclosure, my 17-year-old turned me onto this song. I think it’s really important to constantly be listening to new music, reading new literature, and embracing other’s ideas, instead of trying to convince others of your perspectives out of your bubble. 

What’s your theme song for 2024?

Humble by Kendrick Lamar

I think that there is a lot of arrogance in our world right now politically and societally, we have lost our humility. The song really resonates with me and I listen to it daily to remind myself to always be grateful for everything that I have.


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