Meet Jane Clark: Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jane Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jane, how do you think about risk?
Every new production you enter into as an independent filmmaker is, almost without exception, a risky proposal. Some of that risk revolves around putting together a project that has the best chance of reaching an audience and earning money. It’s a crap shoot under the best of circumstances and many times has less to do with whether the film is good or not and more about the power of the distributor who takes it on. The other risky aspect is in every minute of shooting a film. There is never enough time or money. Decisions have to be made quickly and with as much confidence as possible, because those decisions in many cases can’t be corrected if they are wrong. It is a fast-paced, high stress experience where the best laid plans are invariably torn to shreds and I find myself sometimes wondering why I do it. And when I ask myself that question – usually right before preproduction starts on the next project, I remember that there is no place I am more happy than on a set. The risks are high, but so are the rewards – not just the chance you’ll hit the market at just the right time for your film to become a wild success, but also the absolute pleasure of watching the finished product with an audience – to see, hear and feel them taking the ride on the story you’ve built. In the end, that is the moment when it all becomes worth it, and inspires me to start the process all over again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a content creator – meaning I write, produce and direct stories on film whether they are a feature, short, VR project, tv show or web-series. I found my way to this career through a circuitous route that included interests and pursuits in fine arts, music, writing and acting before arriving at my destination. I think really I was in search of a way to express myself as completely as I could and in the end, taking all my individual interests and applying them to filmmaking was the answer. My path here has not been easy – there has been rejections and disappointments along the way that were tough enough to have the potential to derail me. The only thing that kept me going was a stubborn refusal to take no for an answer – the no being, you can’t do this – there isn’t a place for you here. And honestly, it is still a struggle but less and less so. And there is still rejection and disappointment, but not only have I gotten better at moving through those moments, but they are more and more infrequent. And what I have learned is that success and opportunity come through hard work, diligence, true talent and as importantly, the ability to let go and trust that those things will bring you the results – maybe not in the way you imagined, maybe not at the speed you hoped – but in a way that is just right.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the hikes that Los Angeles provides and I always take my visiting friends to a different hike a day if I can. If I go to Runyon I encourage the ridge trail, which has way less people and is more interesting. Fryman up through Tree People is a great social hike. There’s an amazing hike down into a crevice off of Mulholland and some great hikes around lower and upper Coldwater.

I get a kick out of Scot Nery’s Boobie Trap in Hollywood, which I discovered through a friend who is one of the performers. Down the street is Muso and Frank’s – a classic old Hollywood steak house where every celebrity from its opening in 1919 to today has dined.

The Broad Museum almost always has an interesting art exhibit and the restaurants next door to it are all great.

The Last Book Store (particularly the upstairs) is a great place to take book lovers and you can make a morning of it by starting with the Grand Central Market for killer coffee and breakfast.

I also like to take people to the Beverly Hills Hotel for high tea. It’s another classic throw back like Muso and Frank but definitely a diet buster so be prepared 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to Shoutout to every actor and crew member who worked for less than their rate because they believed in me and wanted to see me succeed. I’d like to Shoutout to all my crowd-funding supporters who contributed their hard-earned money to help me to reach full financing on projects.
I’d like to Shoutout to every journalist who took the time to write a review or a profile piece that made people aware of my films and web-series.
And most importantly I’d like to Shoutout to my husband, Bob Tourtellotte, for in every possible way supporting me as I build our company, project by project.

Instagram: directorjaneclark

Image Credits
Still of the set/crew photo credit; Marem Hassler