'Clapboard Jungle' Review
NR
Runtime: 1 Hr and 38 Minutes
Production Companies: Federgreen Entertainment, Unstable Ground Productions
Distributor: Arrow Film Distributors
Director: Justin McConnell
Release Date: April 19, 2021
Arrow Video
Following five years in the life and career of independent filmmaker Justin McConnell (Lifechanger), this documentary explores the struggles of financing, attracting the right talent, working with practical effects and selling the finished product in the hope of turning a profit. Featuring interviews with a range of industry luminaries – including Guillermo del Toro (Crimson Peak), Sid Haig (Spider Baby), Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator), Mick Garris (The Stand), Dick Miller (Matinee), Tom Holland (Fright Night) and George A. Romero (The Crazies), alongside a host of others – not only are technical aspects and interpersonal skills discussed but also the emotional stamina and little-known tips needed to survive in the low budget film industry.
Man, the filmmaking industry will gobble you up and swallow you whole before you even get your foot in the door. Nobody tells you about how difficult it is to get into the field of filmmaking or how to navigate it, especially when you’re just starting out. Now, thanks to indie filmmaker Justin McConnell, we have Clapboard Jungle, a brutal yet honest beginner’s guide on the ins and outs of becoming an indie filmmaker in the modern age of cinema. If you’re a college professor teaching an Intro to Film class for freshmen (or sophomores) who are dipping their feet in the water, you should definitely seek this movie out for your class so they know exactly what kind of obstacles they will face while kickstarting their careers. Believe me, as a current senior in college, I wish I saw this film during my freshman year. It would’ve saved me so much trouble.
The documentary chronicles McConnell’s journey to get one of his passion projects to the big screen and the many trials and tribulations he faced to get there. As a kid, he was heavily inspired by cinema and grew up wanting to become a filmmaker. He’s been hustling for the past 15+ years to become a known, reputable filmmaker in some capacity, but as we all know, the influx of digital streaming services oversaturated the film market. Clapboard Jungle displays McConnell’s quest to get his feature financed and made, but that tale gets pushed to the backseat as the focus shifts to explaining the intimidating trades of making a name for yourself in the industry. This comes with the help of notable, beloved filmmakers like Guillermo Del Toro and the late George Romero. Seriously, seeing George Romero in this movie was an out-of-body experience. Critics, industry professionals, festival programmers, and other people who play a part in getting an indie film some traction are also interviewed for their insight.
McConnell’s documentary details the fast-paced evolution of cinema and marketing while offering good advice that novice filmmakers should take note of. I certainly did. His hustle, ambitions, and passions are admirable as he takes every backdoor route to get his features made while championing others in the process. In the midst of trying to become a filmmaker, he’s also a festival programmer at a Toronto Horror Film Festival, which is such a smart way to network. Whether it be virtual or in person, the movie hammers the fact that networking, building yourself a Rolodex of some sort, is a major play in getting your ideas some attention. Clapboard Jungle is a literal cheat sheet that everyone should follow.
McConnell addresses every nook and cranny of gaining access to the industry. Hell, by the time I audibly said to myself, “You think this is hard for you, White dude? Think of how much harder it is for Black people to even get their foot on the front porch,” he directly addresses his privilege. I have so much respect for filmmakers who address their privilege and give marginalized groups a platform, which McConnell does, including several women and LGBTQ filmmakers who voice the struggles of getting their stories out there.
As someone who is gravitating towards restarting my filmmaking career, watching this honest doc that discusses the harsh truths of the industry was surreal. Clapboard Jungle is a great guide to becoming an indie filmmaker and the importance of gaining notoriety for your feature, from going through the festival circuit to learning the many ways to get your films financed, made, and seen. While most of this doc is tailored specifically for horror filmmakers, which McConnell himself is, many of his stories apply to indie filmmaking in general. It’s a must-see documentary that should be part of film school curriculums because it’s a perfect beginner's guide with tips that your professor probably ain't gonna tell you.
