355 - Using Film to Explore Radical Honesty w/ Writer and Director Jennifer Cooney | Indie Talk

The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Indie Talk, we're joined by Jennifer Cooney, Filmmaker and Director of the feature film Wild Fire.

We talk about:

• Jennifer's directorial debut, Wild Fire. It's a drama about radical honesty between friends.
• Writing and filming locally in Pennsylvania as an independent filmmaker
• Chris and Nick provide advice on building a crew with the right "vibe" and avoiding "mercenaries."
• We discuss the challenges of filming in a new home and getting state support.
• Jennifer also shares details on Wildfire's festival run and her next project, Wild Fire.
• and much more...

Summary:

Filmmaker Jennifer Cooney joines hosts Chris Barkley and Nick Buggs to discuss her directorial debut Wild Fire. Cooney, a Pennsylvania-based independent filmmaker, wrote, directed and edited Wildfire which follows a group of friends who shed their social masks during an intimate night of truth-telling.

Cooney explained how she filmed Wild Fire entirely locally using friends' homes and a dedicated crew. As an indie filmmaker, she discussed the challenges of limited resources but emphasized her determination to manifest her creative vision. Chris praised the film's trailer and expressed excitement for its festival run.

The conversation delved into Cooney's focus on authentic storytelling and capturing humanity through subtle nuances. She seeks to represent humanity's shared struggles with vulnerability and living truthfully through intimate scenes and raw dialogue. Cooney's next project Woman of God continues exploring these themes through the story of a nun losing her faith.

Chris and Nick provided advice to Cooney on building a crew with the right "vibe" to avoid "mercenaries." They also discussed the lack of state support for independent filmmakers in Pennsylvania. Cooney's journey serves as an inspiration for other indie creators believing in their vision despite challenges. The Make It Podcast was thrilled to give Cooney a platform to discuss her moving work.

Enjoy!

Questions answered in this episode:

- How did Jennifer write Wild Fire in relation to its indie/limited resources context? Did she write with limitations in mind or did it just end up working out that way?

- How many locations did Wild Fire end up having and how difficult was that choice as an indie filmmaker?

- Can you give us a quick synopsis of Wild Fire?

- How did Jennifer work with her crew to set the right "vibe" and avoid "mercenaries"?

- What is the state of independent filmmaking in Pennsylvania - is there any grant/rebate support from the state?

- Where are Wild Fire's upcoming festival screenings and what is Jennifer's next project?

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About Jennifer:

Jennifer Cooney is an East Coast writer, director, and producer. Her production company, HalfJack Generation, is dedicated to telling stories that elevate the frequency, i.e., consciousness, of the planet. As a conscious creator, Jennifer is deeply passionate about character-driven stories of inner darkness and the courage it takes to live an authentic life. Her directorial debut, Wild Fire, is currently in a bi-continental festival run, and her next feature, Woman of God, is in active development. Jennifer is also a four-time published poet, a painter, and a still photographer. She lives in the countryside of Pennsylvania and on the shoreline of Florida with her wife, JFo—an artist and Jennifer's co-producer, and their dogs. The two constantly spur each other toward creative expansion, spiritual evolution, and alignment with Love, Truth, and Freedom.

Links:

www.halfjackgeneration.com

www.thewildfiremovie.com

The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, screenwriters, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for film professionals and up-and-coming filmmakers to give and receive advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, tips, tricks, and insights through a variety of podcast series. We are the go-to film podcast for the indie filmmaker!