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Fears of a Clown

The story of Steve, a professional clown, who battles through debilitating OCD, the LA wildfires and financial ruin to open the World's Largest Clown Museum.

  • Bart Vandever
    Director
  • Bart Vandever
    Producer
  • Josh Polon
    Producer
    Animals (HBO), Motel Drive (2023), My Dead Dad's Porno Tapes (2018, SXSW grand jury winner, Oscar shortlist), MexMan (2018), Only the Young (2012, Cinema Eye Honors winner, Oscilloscope)
  • Rachel Meyrick
    Producer
    The Contestant (on Hulu)
  • Bart Vandever
    Cinematographer
  • Adrien Prevost
    Music
    Oscar nominated short film The Last Ranger
  • Rachel Meyrick
    Editor
    The Contestant (on Hulu)
  • Bart Vandever
    Executive Producers
  • Rachel Meyrick
    Executive Producers
    The Contestant (on Hulu)
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 15, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Bart Vandever

My name is Bart Vandever, I’m an independent filmmaker from Kansas City, now living in Los Angeles. After many years of making short form video content, I decided to take the leap and make a feature length documentary. I’ve always been drawn to people who choose unconventional paths and make meaning for their lives out of their own strange sensibilities and passions. Steve definitely fits that bill, and I knew from my first visit with him, that his story was documentary-worthy.

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Director Statement

Making Fears of a Clown has been a sometimes joyous and sometimes challenging journey. I’ve learned a lot from this project, and through engaging with Steve’s story, my empathy for others has grown, as has my appreciation of people’s ability to carry on, and find purpose, even through great torment.