Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean LaFollette.
Hi Sean, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The journey really started for me back to 2009, my senior year of college. I commuted to a small university in Michigan for four years and never made time to venture out, explore and meet people through any extracurricular activities offered. As I made my way through the halls one afternoon, I saw a flyer, The Society Of Dramatic Arts, and they were hosting auditions for an upcoming play. This was something I’ve never done before and something new, fun and interesting that I might want to try. I decided to give it ago and that one decision really changed the course of my life.
Two plays and a Computer Science degree later, I graduated and was left searching for things I wanted to do next. I had this passion for acting and I really wanted to explore the art further. Still in Michigan, I found a small acting studio about an hour away from where I lived. This would be the place where I explore the craft, help make some independent movies (in front of and behind the camera) and over the next three years, really start to develop some skills.
Leaving the studio was a difficult but necessary choice. I was no longer seeing the growth I wanted and it was time for a change. That’s when I decided to step behind the camera and take matters into my own hands. Over the next few years, I dove headfirst into independent filmmaking. Buying every book I could on screenwriting, directing, editing, cinematography and the like, I absorbed as much information as I could. Putting this new knowledge to work, I would go on to create two short films and top it off with my first feature-length picture, Pink Heat (can be found on Amazon).
Following my creation of Pink Heat, I identified that I needed to become a better writer and really focus more on story. Turning to books once more, I digested everything I could and then I wrote. The Remedy would go on to get me invited to the 16th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival where I would walk amongst other stars of the independent world, giving me my first real taste of Hollywood and dreams coming true. It was an honor to be a part of something so special and simply being invited and recognized for my hard work was the validation I needed to keep my pursuit alive.
Up to this point, I had self-financed all of my pictures. Doing so really forces a person to find a way to cut some corners without sacrificing quality. For me, it means taking on ALL of the jobs I can. Writing, Directing, Producing, Editing, etc. Overworked and exhausted, I really needed to find financing if I wanted to make The Remedy come to life. A few trips back and forth to LA, I would come up short and ultimately fail to secure any funds.
It was at this time I decided to stick with writing. It would be my creative outlet, one that doesn’t cost me a lot of money and my next story to be written was titled Molly Cheese.
On a more personal note, my life in Michigan was becoming a bit stale and I was looking for a change. After visiting the amazing city that is Austin, I found my next home.
I moved to Austin on December 27th, 2019. I sold my home in Michigan, gave away most of my belongings, packed up my small car and drove south. Now in Austin, what is one to do? Dive into the film scene right?
I wasn’t prepared to make another feature film, but the bug to create was certainly back. I decided to do a sort of transmedia campaign, filming short video diaries of this girl Molly and the various food delivery fails she encounters with her grilled cheese delivery company, Molly Cheese. Joining a few film groups on Facebook, I posted my auditions there in search of Molly and it wasn’t long before I came across a brilliant actress by the name of Chiara McCarty.
Chiara and I would go on and create 30 or so videos, streaming on various platforms. The idea was to try and build an audience, build some interest and leverage this to secure financing for the feature. Things were gaining speed, but slowly to say the least. After a conversation with Chiara, we decided to pull the plug on the Molly Cheese videos. I had recommended that we film a short, she asked why don’t we just do the feature? Well, when you put it that way…
In preparing for the feature, I did two things. I rewrote the script and retitled it ‘What About Molly?’ and I decided it was time to start giving back. I created my site, The Failed Filmmaker (www.failedfilmmaker.net). The Failed Filmmaker is where I would go to share my journey, build an audience and help share my knowledge with those who were looking. I would go on to mentor several people and even teach screenwriting to one (who is enjoying a nice little festival run right now), giving back in a way I really always wanted to.
Now at the end of 2019, we were all geared up and ready to start shooting ‘What About Molly?’ in 2020. Then COVID happened. Decisions needed to be made on what to do next. Do we push forward and try to make this happen? Do we wait and film when the world opens back up? Do we pull the plug entirely? We decided to make the film despite all odds. What a journey this would be.
We finished filming ‘What About Molly?’ in January of 2021. 24 days of shooting over the course of 10 months and we finally had a film. Well, production was complete and post-production was underway. Since that time, the audio edit is now complete, music is almost finalized and we’re but a month or two away from having a final film, something we can all be proud of on the Molly team.
My story isn’t one of simplicity and success at the highest of levels. It’s grit, its determination, its passion and its drive. I continue my efforts in this beautiful art in the pursuit of getting better with each film. Each experience is a journey in itself, one to be cherished for years to come. It’s been a fun ride over the last 12 years and I look forward to the future experiences I am sure to have.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
All of my struggles come from trying to find financing for a picture. It’s a skill I haven’t made much progress on and because of this, I’m forced to self-finance all of my pictures. Again, this means I work on a shoestring budget and wear a lot of hats during the film process. I don’t mind it, but it would certainly be nice to have the proper financing in place to build a team and really set ourselves up to make the best picture possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I really love to write, direct and produce films. Every project has been a journey and I truly am proud of each one. As you scroll through, watching my film catalogue, you can really see the progress I have made over the years. I’m someone who doesn’t come from a film background, didn’t attend film school and really didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I didn’t let it stop me. I educated myself and continue to do so on a daily basis. I wanted to make movies and I found a way to do so.
What sets me apart from others is my work ethic. When I want something, I go after it no matter what. I will never be outworked. In order for me to make films today as a self-financed indie, I have to do a lot of jobs. On ‘What About Molly?’ COVID forced me to do even more jobs than normal. It didn’t matter. I wanted to make the film so I made it happen. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Watching Star Wars with my dad. We used to watch them on TV as they always seemed to be showing one of them every week. This would set the foundation for years to come where now on opening night of each new Star Wars film, we put on our 1980’s throwback Star Wars shirts and make our way to the theater for the new story. I see all the Star Wars films with my father, no matter what. Last time, I flew to Michigan from Austin for such an occasion. It’s something I’ve held onto for a long time.
Contact Info:
- Email: thefailedfilmmaker@gmail.com
- Website: thefailedfilmmaker.net
- Instagram: @thefailedfilmmaker
Image Credits
Christopher De La Rosa Rachel Shomsky
