‘Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business:’ A Glimpse Behind The Hard Process of Independent Filmmaking

Filmmaking is hard, much less filmmaking on an independent level without a studio to act as a net below you. And no on knows this more than Justin McConnell (Lifechanger), the director of the documentary Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business. In his documentary, McConnell documents the process it takes to fund an independent film and get it to market. And maybe he learns a little something himself along the way.

Synopsis:

An emotional and introspective journey following five years in the life and career of an independent filmmaker, supported by dozens of interviews, posing one question: how does an indie filmmaker survive in the current film business?

The film features interviews with numerous successful directors, actors, producers, and even make-up artists in the independent film industry such as Guillermo Del Toro, Tom Savini, Barbara Crampton, Paul Schrader, George A. Romero, Michael Biehn, Frank Henenlotter, and more.

This was certainly an eye-opening film. It was a bold choice of McConnell to show his journey in every bit of its raw state, from his wide eyed beginnings to his first great crash, to his many ups and downs afterwards. Getting up afterwards is one thing, but staying up is harder. The truth is, you can make a great film, but without the ability to get the film to market, no one will ever see it. But through the years of hard work, failure, and worry, there was one shared thing that gets every person that works in film through: a deep love for their craft. Even when you are just getting by, you are still working in what you you love. Sometimes, that’s enough.

I recommend this documentary to everyone that loves film! Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business is streaming via Digital HD!