Clapboard Jungle

2020

1h 50m

Documentary

List

89%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

Navigating the current film business is more difficult than ever before. Rapidly-changing technology, and a greatly over-crowded marketplace have lead to an industry in which anyone can make a film now, but few can make a living. CLAPBOARD JUNGLE is a documentary intended to serve as a survival guide for the modern independent filmmaker. Featuring interviews with dozens of directors, producers, writers, actors, distributors, festival programmers, publicity persons and much more, while following one filmmaker's personal journey, this is a film created to help people stay afloat in a risky business.

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Audience Member

Clapboard Jungle isnt a sure fire guide on how to make a successful film, but this film contains many a valuable insight into how to best avoid the dangers of trying to swim in the entertainment pool and with the journey of Justin McConnell being the centrepiece of the story, he comes across as such as likeable guy,passionate, hardworking and film love creative soul and that helps us care about the film and wish him and will him to success. What is one of the sweetest things about this documentary is that by filming his struggle over several years to get a film off the ground, Justin has put together what is a wonderful film and deserves a place in the list of best documentaries about filmmaking that is out there. its a film that will be adored by filmmakers, and anyone who has any creative bones in their body. Check out Clapboard Jungle and watch some of the indie film worlds greatest and most talented names, give you some wonderful advice that will hopefully spur you on to do your own creative goals.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Justin McConnell

Director

Michael Biehn

Actor

Guillermo del Toro

Actor

Justin McConnell

Producer

Andrew van den Houten

Executive Producer

Avi Federgreen

Executive Producer

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

As educational videos go, this may not be a replacement for film school, and it's definitely no substitute for doing the work. At least McConnell makes it clear what any wannabe Spielberg or Peele should know - it's all grind.

Apr 16, 2021

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Raphael Abraham

Financial Times

An unblinking autobiographical documentary in which tirelessly aspiring Canadian film-maker Justin McConnell takes us through the toils of a stalling career in the indie horror movie biz.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 14, 2021

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Clapboard Jungle suffers from a weird mix of information overload and a lack of actual, usable information that might be of assistance to film-makers or of interest to film audiences.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 14, 2021

Full Review

Q.V. Hough

Vague Visages

Clapboard Jungle could not only benefit up-and-coming filmmakers, but also young writers who are serious about pursuing a career in film criticism. Passion isnt enough. You need to understand the business side of it all

Feb 18, 2022

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

This account of one man's search for success in the moviemaking world is less revelatory than mildly interesting.

Rated: C+

May 10, 2021

Full Review

Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Clapboard Jungle is saddled by the sheer, narrow tedium of McConnell's projects' constant fits and starts, amid a repetitive if enlightening deluge of filmmakers testifying to industry pitfalls.

Rated: 2/4

May 7, 2021

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Synopsis

Navigating the current film business is more difficult than ever before. Rapidly-changing technology, and a greatly over-crowded marketplace have lead to an industry in which anyone can make a film now, but few can make a living. CLAPBOARD JUNGLE is a documentary intended to serve as a survival guide for the modern independent filmmaker. Featuring interviews with dozens of directors, producers, writers, actors, distributors, festival programmers, publicity persons and much more, while following one filmmaker's personal journey, this is a film created to help people stay afloat in a risky business.

Director: Justin McConnell
Producer: Andrew van den Houten, Avi Federgreen
Production Co: Federgreen Entertainment, Unstable Ground Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2021
Runtime: 1h 50m

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