A Filmmaker’s Look Inside Sundance
Meet the artists:
In this illuminating Chatmosa Session titled "A Filmmaker’s Look Inside Sundance," hosts Cody and Chad welcomed sibling filmmakers Spencer and Dylan Wardell to discuss their journey crafting the short film *Sweet Talking Guy* and their recent experiences at the Sundance Film Festival. The conversation, rife with insight, candid anecdotes, and actionable advice, provided a window into the intricate world of independent filmmaking and festival navigation.
The session kicked off with Spencer and Dylan sharing their backgrounds, which laid a perfect foundation for understanding their artistic dynamic. With Spencer’s filmmaking expertise, including a stint at AFI and creative roles in high-end commercial projects, coupled with Dylan's modeling background and recent forays into casting and directing, the duo brought a multifaceted approach to their collaboration. “We’ve always talked about wanting to collaborate together,” Dylan expressed, emphasizing their close-knit relationship as siblings and creative partners.
As they delved into the conception of *Sweet Talking Guy*, they shared that the idea was born three years ago, echoing Spencer’s sentiment, “We knew pretty much the exact approach and tone,” from their initial brainstorming session. Their emphatic storytelling resonated through their short film, which intricately weaves monologues from male dates with non-verbal acting from Dylan.
Key Takeaways:
1. Creative Collaboration: Spencer and Dylan's success stems from their willingness to collaborate openly and draw on each other's strengths. “Having each other to hold accountable is great,” Dylan noted, highlighting the importance of mutual support in filmmaking.
2. Festival Strategy: When discussing their Sundance journey, both expressed the importance of preparation and submission timing. They submitted their film on the final day of the deadline, underscoring the need to polish their work before submission. They also advised filmmakers to keep their short films concise, with Spencer sharing, “Ours clocks in at 4 minutes and 40 seconds… we wanted it to be exactly as long as it needed to be.”
3. Networking at Sundance: Their experience at Sundance highlighted the value of building connections. Following their film's premiere, they took numerous meetings while enjoying the festival atmosphere, which they described as both thrilling and overwhelming. They encouraged filmmakers to attend events and engage with peers to foster community.
4. Candidness About Costs: The realities of financial expenditure in filmmaking were addressed openly. They discussed the various expenses involved in both the production of their short and the costs incurred during the festival, emphasizing that budgeting is crucial for success. Spencer advised, “You have to accept that this is damn expensive, and you just dig deep into all of your savings to do this,” encapsulating the sacrifices necessary for pursuing passion projects.
5. Future Aspirations: As the session wound down, both filmmakers teased the potential for a feature based on their experiences and other thematic ideas—a compelling family drama exploring trans identity woven with intricate human relationships. “We do expect to have a feature script out of that sometime this year,” Dylan affirmed, signaling their ambitious outlook.
The session capped off with a spirited exchange between the hosts, the Wardells, and the audience, who posed questions that further elicited an honest dialogue surrounding the struggles and triumphs of the filmmaking process. As Spencer aptly noted, “Once you complete things… you are getting a little closer to these goals.”
The conversation was a reminder of the vibrant community of creatives navigating the film industry, illustrated beautifully through the Wardells' journey at Sundance. Their story is an inspiring reflection of dedication, collaboration, and resilience—a message that resonates deeply with both emerging and seasoned filmmakers alike.
As we look forward to the future of *Sweet Talking Guy* and the Wardells' next endeavors, it's clear that their determination and creativity will continue to shine bright in the film landscape.