Image Arts grad to launch Dim the Fluorescents at Slamdance
Writer and director Daniel Warth and Ryerson graduate Josh Clavir on the set of Dim the Fluorescents.
On January 21, Ryerson graduate Josh Clavir (Image Arts 2010, Master’s in Digital Media 2015) will launch his first feature film at the Slamdance Film Festival. Dim the Fluorescents is set to premiere (external link, opens in new window) in the Park City Utah film festival’s official selection. Now in its 23rd year, Slamdance, which runs parallel to the Sundance Film Festival, showcases truly independent films by emerging filmmakers from around the world.
The film follows two best friends—a struggling actress and an aspiring playwright—who are stuck channeling their creativity into corporate training seminars. When they land the biggest gig of their careers, they turn it into their biggest production yet.
We spoke to Josh Clavir about Slamdance and his future plans.
What does it mean to you to have the film show at Slamdance?
To have the first feature film I have produced in competition at Slamdance means a lot. I have long admired the festival and it was one of our top choices for a World Premiere. It was so nice to hear this from Drea Clark, the Slamdance programmer who invited us to screen, in her email: "For years I alerted people by phoning them, but I prefer email so I don't forget to mention things, like how impressed we were by the unique and genuine female friendship at the heart of your story, the approach to creating a story about artistic inspiration, and the consistent and touching moments of authenticity throughout."
Are there other Ryerson folks involved in the film?
Yes! The director of photography is Chet Tilokani—an incredibly talented Ryerson image arts (film studies) grad.
What other projects are you involved in?
I am producing an animated short film, commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto International Film Festival called DAM! The Story of Kit the Beaver (external link, opens in new window) —written and directed by fellow Ryerson image arts (film studies) grad, friend and colleague Kjell Boersma. It will premiere with a live orchestral score composed by Erica Procunier on February 25.
How did your experience at Ryerson make a difference to you and your career so far? The network of people I met at Ryerson has been critical to my success now. I have forged friendships and a professional network that I draw on for advice and help on almost every project I work on. I think there is a kind of brain trust that we have been able to develop - that sprang up organically through both of my Ryerson experiences - whether through the MDM program or my undergraduate image arts Colleagues and faculty from those programs have continued to play a role in my development as a producer.
Read more about Dim the Fluorescents (external link, opens in new window) .