Controversial comic book artist Phoebe Gloeckner may be the next indie artist to see her vision come true on the big screen if the Sundance Institute has anything to say about it.
Indie comics are not
completely unknown to the movie world, but they don't get the visibility with which traditional comic book stories get showered. Since indie comics only come with a limited built-in fan base, every time one makes it into a cinema the community feels victorious.
That's why it's nice to see Sundance Institute supporting Marielle Heller, the writer/director of the screenplay. The Diary of a Teenage girl slugline reads:
In the haze of 1970’s San Francisco, a teenage artist with a brutally honest perspective tries to navigate her way through an affair with her mother's boyfriend. Adapted from the graphic novel by Phoebe Gloeckner.
Not only is it a victory for the indie comics scene, but it's also a marked victory for the female voice in comics. As women are still under-represented in the fan community (although that is steadily changing, thankfully!), it's refreshing to see a female comics creator get any kind of honor, much less one that could lead to a big screen debut.
The Directors and Screenwriters Labs are 5-day workshops with people established in the industry. The invitees will work directly with the vets to figure out any kinks in their project and troubleshoot them before they get in the way. This doesn't guarantee a completed film, but it does promise exposure and a chance to work in an environment that makes a finished product much more of a reality.
"For independent artists in particular, it can be challenging to receive specialized support and encouragement. As our offerings for artists continue to grow our hope is that filmmakers have added incentive to remain true to their visions throughout the creative process."
Cinephiles can read the rest of the invitees at
IndieWire.
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