Watch The Circus Burn - DocPitch at DocLands

Over the two decades that I’ve worked as a director, producer, editor, and cinematographer on dozens of documentary projects including ASCENSION, HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON, and BALLOONFEST, I have been preparing to direct feature films of my own. With this project, I’m challenging myself to use all of the skills that I’ve acquired over the years to make an interesting and thought-provoking piece of art.

Each frame is an opportunity to not only advance a narrative, but to observe the human condition. Low-fi images and simple stories can often synthesize into something more profoundly meaningful. Comedy can be mined from tragedy, or inversely, a story that is so ridiculous and amusing can be examined further, exposing the serious universal implications beneath the surface. This perspective, I find, resonates deeply with the ethos of clowning.

The film, told in three acts, intercuts vérité character-driven sequences with poignant interludes that are expertly choreographed and executed by professional clowns. This surreal structure creates a tapestry that showcases both the raw, everyday experiences of the clowns and the whimsical, fantastical nature of their craft. The film will serve as both an homage to the timeless artistry of clowning while transporting viewers to a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. A clown's makeup is a satirical and fantastical visage, and we examine the area between the characters presented, and the real humans behind the curtain.

WATCH THE CIRCUS BURN is a modern-day fairytale told using classic cinematic tools to create an aesthetic both familiar and imaginative. Presented in 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the gritty footage is a mix of 16mm film and digital SD format from the beloved workhorse camera of the early aughts, the Panasonic DVX100. This stylistic approach allows us to not only ground the audience in the raw reality of these stories, but also lift them out into the realm of fantasy. The landscapes and open skies of Nevada contrasted with the claustrophobic and distorted closeups of clowns will beg the viewer to ask “Where did this film come from?” Music, inspired by classic Spaghetti Western composers like Ennio Morricone provides an eerie, yet nostalgic, tonal backdrop. The film will have a mythic presence and allows us to build on previously established themes and tropes that transport us to a familiar but distant past drawing out the timelessness and universality of the editing.

CONNECTION, ACCESS, ACCOUNTABILITY
My team and I have been forming relationships with various professionals in the clowning scene in Nevada, where we have visited and filmed. We have found that so many of the people we have met and spoken with are very open and supportive. The trust and rapport that we make sure to build allows the participants to feel comfortable enough to show their vulnerable side, with and without the mask of clown makeup. Part of the reason we have gained the trust and access to the clown community is because they recognize, through discussions and my existing body of work, that I am committed to depicting the art of clowning with the same complexity and diversity as the practice itself.

What sets me apart as the ideal storyteller for this subject is my affinity for dark tales, and ability to weave narratives that blend real, raw emotions with the comedy that can be found inherently within it. I'm deeply interested in how the setting of the American West, which captures the spirit of both enchantment and desolation, colors the intricacies of the human experience. I believe I possess the sensitivity to capture the authenticity of characters who are unapologetically open and honest, and equally, if not more important, is my commitment to ethically portraying truths that exist even without needing to be explicitly spoken of.

We see this film as a collaboration between the filmmakers and the film participants. The clowns that we film may not know each other and are disparate as they are connected by a passion rather than a community. We are not dropping in and out of people’s lives, but rather forming lasting friendships and trust throughout the process and allowing our participants to express themselves in any way that they see fit. Most of the participants are entertainers who are accustomed to presenting themselves and their stories to audiences.

Because our filmmaking style is highly collaborative, we maintain a continual line of transparency and active discussions over our actions and decisions on shoots and in the edit. It’s important that our participants feel we have represented them and their community with care and integrity. We do not push participants to share more than they are comfortable and readily willing to share. Because these are verite shoots, all dialogue is captured in a casual setting. This approach enables participants to freely express themselves as they would in a normal conversation with the director, without the pressure typically associated with a formal interview setup. We plan to show the participants and contributors to implement their feedback before anyone else to ensure they feel they are properly represented.

A top priority for our team is to approach our portrayal of the stories shared by participants with thoughtfulness, ethics, and deliberation. Although all the stories that have been shared with us have been done openly and without prompt, we understand the position and responsibility we have to find the correct tone to handle and share these traumas. We carefully consider whether each detail contributes to exploration of the complex emotions of a clown, or the theme of mining things that lie beneath the guise of humor, or if it veers into the territory of exploitation for the sake of empty provocation.

Throughout the filmmaking process, we will be mindful of the subject matter that we are exploring and their potential effect on members of our team. We will promote a balanced and conscientious work environment and do what we can to mitigate any factors or triggers that might lead to burn out or unnecessary stress. Our priority is the well being of our team members and making a space that elicits creativity, enthusiasm, openness, and of course, fun.