Conversations with the Inspiring Sheila Schroeder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Schroeder.

Sheila, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 1995, I found myself in Oldenberg, Indiana standing in a cornfield during the summer solstice at dawn. Behind the lens of my camera, I saw bugs dancing above the vegetation as steam rose off the knee-high stalks. In a word, it was beautiful. At that moment, I knew filmmaking was my calling.

For the last 21 years, I’ve been sharing this passion with students at the University of Denver and making my own films. From shorts to features, and from documentaries to experimental to narrative films, I’ve learned so much from the journeys I’ve taken.

As an activist feminist queer filmmaker, my work often focuses on subjects rarely in the spotlight. I’ve turned my lens on girls and sports (See What I Got: The Story of Girls, Basketball, Confidence, and Courage, the Kobe Bryant rape trial (Sideshow), and LGBTQ experiences (Proud Alumni, SoleJourney, Happy F-ing Valentine’s Day, Scary Lucy and Hunting Season).

Project DU F.I.L.M., an experiential filmmaking mentorship at DU, is designed to change the face of filmmaking in front of and behind the camera. In an industry that limits stories about a diverse range of people and limits who gets to tell those stories, we focus on inclusive stories and bring together alumni mentors and students as we make films together. The alumni hone their crafts while students learn by their sides and network. Thus far, we’ve completed two award-winning short fiction films, Happy F-ing Valentine’s Day, and Scary Lucy. Together, they’ve screened at over 40 film festivals and the screenplays have both won awards. Our third production, Hunting Season, is set to film in late 2019.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is about celebrating the highs and brushing ourselves off after the lows. Perseverance is the key.

My advice for young women starting their journey is to create, create, create. They say you need 10,000 hours to hone a craft but really, it’s a lifetime. We’re never done learning, so the more you can create, the more you’ll learn.

Filmmakers have a studio right on their phones. They can film, edit, and distribute on a single device that fits in your pocket. Unbelievable! There’s nothing stopping you. So, go. Tell stories. Create.

What should we know about Project DU F.I.L.M.? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
For years, I’ve known the research about the lack of women, people of color, LGBT people and people with disabilities in front of and behind the camera. While I’ve tried to change that with my own films, I knew I needed to do more. That’s when Project DU F.I.L.M. was born. It gives voice to stories about these communities and groups. It opens spaces in front of and behind the camera for inclusivity. And our casts and crews become part of the workforce changing the landscape with through their own efforts on our sets and others.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I think growing up, I wasn’t afraid to fail. I somehow knew that success was rooted in the journey. I vividly remember refusing to cry when my high school basketball team lost in the state finals. Remember, this was in Indiana where basketball was life. With my teammates standing in a pool of their own tears, I held my head high. The accomplishment seemed very clear to me. I don’t blame them for crying at all, but I didn’t consider losing failure. I think that has served me well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4072755/ https://www.facebook.com/ProjectDUFILM/
• Email: sheila.schroeder@du.edu
• Instagram: @sheila.e.schroeder
• Twitter: @SheSchro
• Other: scarylucythemovie.com

 

Image Credit:
Kate Burns

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