Stella Schneider / Contributor

Spencer Bispham / Managing Editor

The Sundance Film Festival is the largest in the nation, bringing filmmakers, film lovers and students of cinema to Park City, Utah each January. Film festivals across the country put storytelling first, especially when highlighting independent films. Independent filmmakers rely on festivals to give a platform to the voices underserved by Hollywood. Sundance in particular is sponsored by large media outlets and corporations at large, meaning many studios and production companies bring their films to the festival. 

As the festival has grown over the years, several new filmmakers want to make their mark at Sundance, and many large stars and talent join these independent productions. While films premiering in mainstream media adhere to common plotlines, characters and endings, independent filmmakers push the boundaries of what film can mean. 

With lower budgets and heavy ambition, independent films tend to spend more time on character studies and commentary on societal, political and environmental issues than an action-filled plot. This drive for storytelling outside the box brings thousands of film lovers to Utah to celebrate film for 10 days each year.

The more publicized Sundance has become, the more patrons of the festival have gotten to interact with well known celebrities and members of the film industry at the festival. With this accessibility to stars in films, panels and other events hosted in Park City, more fans come to Sundance in hopes of talking with them. 

Just as cinephiles travel to Utah for the experience and the people, many prominent filmmakers, stars and talent join independent projects to be a part of this community and have a hand in the making  of the stories being shared. 

Actress Aubrey Plaza joined “My Old Ass,” a film directed by Megan Park, a Sundance alumni writer and director, which premiered at the festival this January. In the film, the summer before college, bright-yet-irreverent protagonist Elliott comes face-to-face with her older self during a mushroom trip. In this coming of age heartfelt journey of self-discovery, first love and sexual exploration, we see Elliott prepare to leave her childhood home and learn more about herself. Plaza told The USD Vista about how special independent projects like “My Old Ass” are for her.

“I think the people [made this film important.] I love independent films the most out of anything that I do,” Plaza said. “It’s all about family, like you create this little community and everyone is there for a very pure, artistic reason and that’s what I like about this kind of production.”

USD student Sam Kronen was at Sundance for the American Independent Cinema (COMM 433) class taught by Senior Vice President and Provost Dr.Roger Pace and Communication professor Dr. Eric Pierson. After the slate of films were announced, Kronen was excited about “My Old Ass,” starring Plaza.

“I knew [this film] would be the top of my list to see at Sundance this year. I’m obsessed with Aubrey Plaza… it makes so much sense that she would take a role with such an interesting plot like this one. It is such an artistic coming of age story and I think it will become a comfort movie.”

Known for his previous roles in franchises like “Jurassic World” and other large projects, like “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” Justice Smith starred in two films premiering at Sundance this year, the A24 production, “I Saw the TV Glow” and Focus Features’ “The American Society of Magical Negroes.” 

In regards to “I Saw the TV Glow,” Smith told The USD Vista about how character-driven the film is.

“It was intense, a lot of work. This character was the hardest I’ve ever had to play,” Smith said. “There was a lot of meat I had to chew on in order to play him honestly, and I think part of that is relinquishing control and trusting Jane [writer/director] who had a really strong vision for this film. It means a lot to me to find projects like this, to work with people like Brigette [Lundy-Paine] and see the passion of Jane [Schoenbrun] everyday.”

Smith looks forward to the reaction of audiences across the world. “I Saw the TV Glow” is a reality shifting film with an inventive script. Teenager Owen (played by Smith) is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate (Brigette Lundy-Paine) introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show, one that shifts as the two of them do. Inthe glow of the television late at night, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack, allowing the supernatural to take over and the potential for other realities to settle in. 

“[I Saw the TV Glow] is such a trip, an absolute mindf***. I am so excited to see what people think. I have to compartmentalize what this film means [with] the thought of ‘what is this?’…  It’s just a big explosion of vibes, and that works,”  Smith said.

Independent films, like those screened at Sundance, are faced with many challenges from the writing of the script, with low budgets, casting constraints, distribution and marketing struggles, among other challenges. In an article written by “The Indie Film Community” they dissect the budget disparities between Hollywood and independent productions. 

“Hollywood’s budgets can range from $25 million to a staggering $200 million… On the other hand, independent filmmakers often operate on shoestring budgets, sometimes as low as $50,000, and usually not exceeding a million dollars.” With limited resources, producing a strong feature film can be difficult for many filmmakers working independently. 

Despite this disparity, stars like Plaza and Smith are drawn to independent films for a number of reasons. Amazon MGM Studios is in final negotiations to acquire Park’s sophomore feature, “My Old Ass,” following its Sundance debut. Distributed by A24, “I Saw the TV Glow” has yet to announce a theatrical release date.