Drea Clark on the Future of Indie Filmmaking

In this episode of the Musicbed Podcast, Drea provides a behind-the-scenes look at Sundance from a programming POV and what filmmakers need to know about submitting their films.

Programmer/producer Drea Clark has been a fixture of the festival circuit for almost 20 years, serving at Sundance Film Festival, the LA Film Festival, Slamdance Film Festival, and more. She’s also produced three features, music videos, web series, and a TV pilot directed by Charlie Day.

Talking Points:

• The importance of original, consistent storytelling
• A-list talent isn't always an advantage
• Art is subjective and so is rejection
• Submit a short over a proof of concept
• No one's buying your excuses for bad sound
• A good programmer finds filmmakers to champion

Show Notes:

• Slamdance Film Festival – https://slamdance.com/festival/
• Sundance Film Festival – https://festival.sundance.org/
• LA Film Festival – https://www.filmindependent.org/la-film-festival/
• Bentonville Film Festival – https://bentonvillefilm.org/
• Napoleon Dynamite (2004) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/
• Damien Chazelle – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3227090/
• Whiplash (2014) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/
• Chanshi – https://festival.sundance.org/program/films/indie-episodic
• IndieGoGo – https://www.indiegogo.com/
• Kickstarter – https://www.kickstarter.com/
• Kim Yutani – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-yutani-aaba3520a
• Catalyst Films – https://www.catalyst-films.com/
• Directors Lab – https://directorslab.com/home/
• Ann Arbor Film Festival – https://www.aafilmfest.org/
• Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2388637/
• David Lowery – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1108007/
• Ben Foster – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3244731/
• Strawberry Mansion (2021) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11398346/
• Kentucker Audley – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2310589/
• The Killing of Two Lovers (2020) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10702148/
• Film Independent Spirit Awards – https://www.filmindependent.org/spirit-awards/
• Aftersun (2022) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19770238/
• Stan Brakhage – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0104132/

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