Kevin Smith’s iconic debut feature, Clerks, almost didn’t make it to Sundance Film Festival due to its explicit language. But after a successful screening at the festival, the film was picked up by Miramax, grossing over $3 million when released in theaters. This catapulted Smith into a career that’s shown no signs of slowing down, including directing 13 more features, cultivating a level of iconic fanboy status in pop culture, and inspiring other aspiring artists to pursue their dreams. The story of Clerks highlights the importance of taking risks, being resilient in the face of adversity, and the significant impact of a single individual’s recommendation.
How Kevin Smith Turned a $27,575 Investment into a Thriving Filmmaking Career
Kevin Smith, the writer and director behind the iconic indie film “Clerks,” had never thought of pursuing a career in filmmaking. Instead, he wanted to write for TV shows like “Saturday Night Live.” However, his perspective changed when he watched Richard Linklater’s “$23,000-budgeted” movie, “Slacker,” on his 21st birthday in 1991. The film’s production cost inspired Smith, and he began to consider creating his own films.
The result of Smith’s newfound passion for filmmaking was “Clerks,” a low-budget comedy-drama that became a cultural touchstone for the ’90s indie cinema movement. The road to success was not easy for Smith and his team, and it was unclear whether the film would ever make it to the big screen beyond his circle of friends and family. But the film’s release turned out to be a game-changer, as it grossed $3.2 million and established Smith as a notable filmmaker.
Since the release of “Clerks,” Smith has gone on to create a wide variety of projects, including other films, TV shows, and podcasts, building a career that has lasted for over three decades. Smith’s story serves as a testament to the power of taking risks and pursuing one’s passion.
Kevin Smith’s Journey to Creating ‘Clerks’
After watching Richard Linklater’s “Slacker,” Kevin Smith, a young man from New Jersey, was inspired to create his own films. He attended the Vancouver Film School, where he met Scott Mosier, who would become a lifelong friend and collaborator. The two worked together on an unfinished documentary, but Smith left the school after realizing he wouldn’t have full control over his projects. Before departing, he made a pact with Mosier to write their own scripts and work on each other’s films if one finished first.
Smith returned to New Jersey and began writing feverishly. Drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Jim Jarmusch and Spike Lee, as well as taking advice from Robert Rodriguez, Smith wrote the script for “Clerks.” The film’s story was based on Smith’s personal experience working at a QuickStop and RST Video store, and he sought to represent himself and his friends in the film.
After completing the script, Smith began auditioning actors. Initially, he intended to play the role of Randal but eventually backed away from the idea. He replaced his high school friend, Ernie O’Donnell, with local stage actor Brian O’Halloran for the role of Dante, and his other high school friend, Jeff Anderson, was offered the part of Randal, despite having no acting experience.
In the end, “Clerks” proved to be a massive success, grossing over $3.2 million and establishing Smith as a filmmaker to watch. Since then, he has continued to create a wide variety of projects, from films and TV shows to podcasts, building a career that has spanned over three decades. Smith’s story is a testament to the power of taking risks and pursuing one’s passions.
The Making of ‘Clerks’: Casting, Budget, and Filming
Kevin Smith’s iconic indie film, “Clerks,” had a unique cast that included Marilyn Ghigliotti as Veronica, Lisa Spoonauer as Caitlyn, and Jason Mewes as Jay, the vulgar yet hilarious partner of Silent Bob. Ghigliotti and Spoonauer won their roles through auditions, while Mewes’ character was based on his real-life personality. However, Mewes was initially uncertain about playing the role but eventually rehearsed with Smith to become more comfortable on camera.
With a budget of $27,575, Smith and his team funded “Clerks” by maxing out credit cards and selling comic books and other items. Despite the risk involved, the production went ahead, with the majority of the film shot at night due to limited production days and the cast and crew’s day jobs. Additionally, shooting in black and white was a practical and cost-effective choice, and it also eliminated the need to consider color temperature during filming.
The limited budget also meant that the largely inexperienced cast had to deliver their scenes in one or two takes. Still, the film’s low-budget aesthetic proved to be a massive success, grossing over $3.2 million and establishing Smith as a filmmaker to watch.
In hindsight, the making of “Clerks” seems like a grueling and challenging process, but the film’s enduring popularity is a testament to the power of independent filmmaking and the determination of its creator.
Kevin Smith’s Film Career
Kevin Smith, a young writer who had aspired to work as a journalist or write for SNL, changed his career plans after seeing Richard Linklater’s Slacker on his 21st birthday. He attended Vancouver Film School, where he met his future collaborator, Scott Mosier. The two made a pact to work together on their first films, and Smith returned home to write his first feature, Clerks. He drew inspiration from filmmakers such as Jim Jarmusch, Spike Lee, and Robert Rodriguez, and his own experiences working at QuickStop and RST Video in his hometown. The film’s cast included Jason Mewes, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer, and Jeff Anderson. They shot the film in black and white, mostly at night while the stores were closed, with a shoestring budget, which Smith financed by maxing out his credit cards.
After completing the film, they screened it at the Independent Feature Film Market in New York but were disappointed by the turnout. However, the film caught the attention of consultant Robert Hawk, who recommended it to Amy Taubin, a writer who wrote about the film. This led to independent cinema legend John Pierson getting involved and finding a distributor for Clerks. Before submission to the festival, Pierson suggested cutting the ending in which Dante was killed by a burglar at the Quick Stop convenience store.
Shooting and Editing Clerks
The filmmakers shot the film over 21 consecutive days, and after filming, they edited the film at RST Video. Smith remembers that he never felt like an independent filmmaker except while making Clerks because there were no expectations.
Premiere at Independent Feature Film Market
After their premiere at the Independent Feature Film Market, they had difficulty finding an audience for the film. Pierson’s recommendation led to the film’s success, and it eventually caught the attention of a distributor.
A Fortunate Turn of Events: How Clerks Found Success at Sundance
Clerks is a film that has captured the hearts of many since its debut in 1994. The movie was made with a shoestring budget of $27,575, largely funded by Kevin Smith maxing out his credit cards, selling some of his comic book collection, and hoping for the best. Smith and his team were primarily made up of friends, all of whom were mostly inexperienced in filmmaking. Despite the odds stacked against them, Clerks became a hit at Sundance and put Smith on the map.
How the Cast and Crew Came Together
Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonauer, and Jason Mewes rounded out the main cast of Clerks. Ghigliotti won her role after auditioning, and Spoonauer was discovered at a nearby acting class. Mewes, a close friend of the Smith’s, had the role of Jay specifically tailored to his real-life idiosyncrasies.
Shooting on a Tight Budget
Clerks was shot on a shoestring budget, which meant that Kevin Smith and his team could only afford so much film stock. They had to nail their scenes (often including lots of dialogue) in only one or two takes. Shooting in black and white was for budgetary and practical reasons, but it also allowed the filmmakers to avoid color temperature issues.
Screening at Sundance
Clerks was a hit with audiences when it debuted in Park City, Utah, in January 1994. The film received rave reviews from major outlets like Variety and The New York Times, and a must-see buzz began building around the film. Although some were taken aback by the film’s explicit language, it was ultimately accepted into the 1994 Sundance Film Festival.
Finding Distribution
The final screening of Clerks at the Egyptian Theater sealed Kevin Smith’s fate, catapulting him into the entertainment industry. Several Miramax employees did their best to get powerful and influential people within the company to attend, and their efforts paid off. The crowd loved the film, and Smith and Mosier made a deal to sell Clerks to Miramax that night.
In the end, Clerks proved that a great film could be made with passion, talent, and a whole lot of determination.
Kevin Smith’s investment of $27,575 in his first feature film, Clerks, proved to be a wise decision. The movie grossed over $3 million when it was released in theaters in 1994, and this success launched Smith’s directing career. He has since directed 13 more features, some of which are interconnected with the world of Clerks, and has become an icon in pop culture. Despite his success, Smith remains humble and grateful and encourages other artists to pursue their dreams.
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