We'll be posting festival acceptance and screenings dates here once the process begins. I hope we'll screen in a festival near you!

 

BRAGGADOCIO

I think there is a fine line between optimism (also translated as confidence) and arrogance, and I am not sure I understand yet where that line is.

You need to have confidence in yourself to move forward in any business (or social setting for that matter) - to get people to believe in you and want to know you, you have to believe in yourself AND be willing to say that outloud. 

I was raised by two very self-effacing parents, who instilled in me the same approach to life. In fact, I could say that because they never bragged, not about themselves or their kids, I was not really being modest. I actually didn't believe there was anything to brag about.

As I have grown up and worked hard, I have come to have faith in myself and my talents, and understand the value of a little braggadocio.

However, I find myself struggling with how much and in what manner to convey the confidence, optimism and belief that I now possess. I dream big and believe I am talented enough to succeed in making those dreams a reality. But is it true? And it is enough?

This comes up for two reasons.

1. In a very basic way, the Kickstarter campaign I started - to raise $100K in 30 days was way out of whack with reality. Was it ego and arrogance that led me to make that decision? Or just simply over confidence borne of optimism? If the former, then I cost myself, at the least, time and energy. If the latter...well  I cost myself, at the least, time and energy. Nothing was harmed in the process, I learned my lesson and I am moving forward. But people told me I was striving for too much and I didn't listen. Arrogance or Optimism?

2. In a much more complicated way this has come up for me with Meth Head. That film was really blessed - the way it unfolded, talent came to us, locations materialized, costs were saved - was all magical. Truly. I can't explain how organic and clean and right that process was, even through the more difficult times.

And I love the film. I have such high hopes for it. Starting way back when I really thought we would be playing Sundance.  And surely if not Sundance than another top tier festival, where some big cheese indie distributor was going to fall madly in love with it and throw their weight behind a theatrical launch. And yet, that hasn't happened. Arrogance or Optimisim with a splash of naivete?

I have people saying, I shot too high for my first time out. I should have pushed for smaller festivals up front and just got the film seen. I had some people involved with the film, asking me to do that as we were rolling out. I said no. I thought it deserved to be in that top tier. Arrogance or Optimism?

 Is it perfect film? No. I'm not sure there is such a thing as a perfect movie. But does everyone agree it is well-made, beautifully acted, powerful and moving. Yes. And yes it's got some uncomfortable scenes, it is emotional for a lot of people, it has a very dark feel. But it is also humorous at times and whimsical and human. And I don't know why feeling something at the movies wouldn't appeal to audiences. But common wisdom currently is that people don't want to feel, they want to escape. Maybe. But I think my film will be an exception if given the chance. Arrogance or Optimism?

There is no way to exist in this business without, perhaps a touch of both. But how your decisions are influenced by either arrogance or optimism, could affect the life of your career and the life of your films. The trick is knowing when you need a little bit more and a little bit less. The trick is knowing when either is flying in the face of practical, cold hard reality. It is a trick I haven't mastered yet.

But then again, if you accept cold hard reality every time, how can dreams exist, let alone come true?

 

FilmMcQueen is a feature film production company headed by filmmaker, Jane Clark

 

Jane makes her feature directing debut with "Meth Head," starring Lukas Haas, Necar Zadegan, Wilson Cruz and Blake Berris. The film is based on true stories of addiction, relationships and family. She is following this film with "Crazy Bitches," a complete reversal - an all girl horror movie where each character is killed by their own vanity.

 

Early in 2010 she produced the feature film, "Elena Undone," for writer/director Nicole Conn, (Little Man, Claire of the Moon,) which is being distributed by Wolfe Releasing.

 

Her seventh short, "Beyond Words," Jane wrote and directed for producer Pete Maggi ("Merchant of Venice," "Irresistible," "Head in the Clouds"). The film won the Illuminate Award in 2009. All prior films have seen Jane multi-tasking as producer/director/writer/editor, including "The Touch," which played 30+ festivals, won best short and aired on HERE TV fall 08; and "Carrie's Choice," which was made with the support of Planned Parenthood - LA. Both films were fiscally sponsored by Women Make Movies and supported by the Panasonic Digital Filmmakers grant. "Carrie's Choice" won 1 award, was nominated for best short, was a finalist in the USA Film Festival and is now distributed through Intermedia, Inc, which is also distributing her sixth short,"MOM." Prior to that was "A Host of Daffodils," which played in 16 festivals, earned 2 awards, was nominated 4 times for best short film.

 

Jane began her career as an actress including a recurring role on "Chicago Hope." She has spoken on panels covering film production, fundraising, marketing and distribution, most recently addressing the topic of filmmakers and social change. She is currently writing a book on making short films from Idea through Distribution, and devotes time as a board member and programmer to the Woods Hole Film Festival in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.