Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Claire Chubbuck Is Helping To Change Our World
Don’t wait. Just create. Perfectionists — listen up. Just go for it! Your first endeavor isn’t going to be the only one. Your first attempts at greatness will fall short of your expectations, so start anyway. Find a community of like minded individuals that are willing to grow with you. The pressure is lessened when it’s about the long haul for the larger impact.
As a part of our series about “Filmmakers Making A Social Impact” I had the pleasure of interviewing Claire Chubbuck.
The daughter of world-renowned acting coach, Ivana Chubbuck, and late film director, Lyndon Chubbuck, Claire Chubbuck is an emerging female director that creates mission driven content that creates catharsis for those working on it — she calls it “Cathartic Realism”. She works with actors to use the traumatic events in their lives in order to make art — as a director, and as Vice President at Ivana Chubbuck Studios, where Claire also teaches.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
I grew up watching my father direct, so it was always in my purview as a job option. At the time, there were very few female directors, so I was afraid that I didn’t have what it took to break out in the business. For those reasons, when I started out, I chose to be on the studio side of creating content. I worked for AMC Networks when they were making Breaking Bad, and then at Participant Media when they were launching Pivot. In 2015, I found my fiancé dead of tragic circumstances, and in one second, everything changed. I couldn’t work in an office anymore, my emotions were too much. So, I quit.
That’s when I decided — I want to make my life about helping people find hope through their traumas. I started teaching the Chubbuck Technique, an acting technique all about the power to use your pain to win. That’s where I found my personal love of directing. Directing is about taking care of your community. Both as a director and a teacher, I have found great pleasure in being part of inspiring others to speak on their shame by using art to heal.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?
I’ve been teaching the Chubbuck Technique for close to a decade now. For years, I have been seeing people experience emotional release through their acting. One of Ivana’s students, Sofia D’Marco, wanted to make a reel, and Ivana suggested that we make a short instead. Sofia and I got together to make a short film about her real-life experience of kidnap and rape. With Ivana’s guidance, Sofia had been using this event in her acting work as a way to find closure, but the most effective way to do this was to actually put it into film. She shouldn’t have to suffer anymore, nor should anyone else.
So, we took the Chubbuck Technique up a notch by permeating the principals through every part of the filmmaking experience. Sofia and I started the writing process, together we broke down the story and looked at the motives of the people involved in this part of her life. This would serve to ultimately enable her to take her shame and guilt of the traumatic event, and turn it into something that would empower her life’s journey instead. Through the acting process, Sofia got to have a “conversation” with her molester through the dialogue that she would have never otherwise had — it gave her a chance to find her voice. Then, we worked hard in post to have all the edits and sound design reflect how it felt to be in that moment. When other rape survivors saw it, we had several people, both women and men from around the world, come up to us and confided in us to share their story, which they never have spoken aloud before, due to their fear that they would be blamed and judged.
The positive impact of tapping into Sofia’s shame, was to find beauty in the brokenness. It was so transformative that I felt like this needed to be a genre — we call it “Cathartic Realism.” I am giving a name and rules to this important artistic endeavor in film. A take on the “true story” that finds its way to catharsis.
Cathartic Realism allows artists to depict their truths — the way it felt to them, but with the empowerment and closure that comes when you get to write your own ending.
The rules of Cathartic Realism are…
1.) the story told must be true for the creator, 2.) the piece is made for the purpose of catharsis, 3.) the ending can be different for the purpose of overcoming the trauma, and lastly, 4.) the film must be completed with the survivors healing in mind.
Let me explain those tenents further;
1. The creative direction of the film is based on the survivor’s true story.
This genre is about empowering yourself with your pain, insecurities, and fears. Embracing them, instead of self-shaming. It’s important to understand that the very things we “hate” about our lives, and who we are as a result of these events, that is what makes us special and unique.
2. The story is being written for the purpose of catharsis.
The purpose of creating this type of art is to get catharsis of the authors’ trauma by creating a piece of art that allows them to tell their story to find resolution. Thus, creating a therapeutic experience that allows you to create beautiful art with your pain.
3. The ending can be different.
By claiming your story, you get to win over the ending. Art is fantasy, and we can use that build-up, that part of you that needs to heal. The creation of the film works as an artistic processing mechanism that is done in a safe space of fellow artists.
4. The final film reflects the survivor’s vision.
Winning comes in the form of owning your story by showing the audience your version of the experience to shine a light on the things that normally cause self-destructive behavior and instead create an environment of healing.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Actors. I love people that choose that vocation because they lead with their heart on their sleeves. I consider myself to be an “actors director.” I care deeply about creating a true performance — regardless of the medium.
That is why it is such a treat to be exploring the depths of our humanity with people who want to feel. When I direct pieces that are pure fiction (aka not pieces of Cathartic Realism), I still take my actors through a real experience. I have them use their current, personal struggles, to grow on a hero’s journey that relates to the character’s arc. When you watch an actor in a film I made, you are actually watching a human fight to achieve spiritual and emotional prosperity.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
I am a huge admirer of Andy Warhol and the community he created with his artists. They called it “The Factory”. Andy spearheaded creativity with a group of artists that wanted to create. They were a family that allowed behavior that was seen as taboo, the taboo behavior I am trying to make a norm — vulnerability.
Like Andy, I want to be behind the work that goes into making other people great. People knew very little about him until his diaries came out after his death. Obviously, I differ in that regard. I believe that you can’t fully open up if you are doing it alone. By connecting, we can realize new depths and self-understanding to who we are, that make us be more effective as people — in our work and our lives.
He is the father of Pop Art; I want to be the mother of Cathartic Realism. Artists in the UK were making Neo-Dada works that inspired Warhol’s work in the “Pop Art” space, but it was Warhol who brought it to the next level. He reflected society back to itself. Cathartic Realism does that too, instead of focusing on the face of society, I want to focus on the heart.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
On a personal level, I am obsessed with death, specifically as it pertains to our society’s ability to handle grief and loss. On a political level, I am particularly interested in women’s reproductive health issues ranging from abortion to miscarriages. Right now, I am making films about both.
I want to use filmmaking to inspire people to live with their traumas without shame. I think shame, guilt and blame is an important motivating factor to the disinterest we have in coming together as a society. We are already so divided; I think it’s important to come together to understand. Shame disappears when you realize you are not alone — both of my causes need to be reframed and seen to allow people to subliminally, through being entertained, to find their humanity. Bottom line, it should be “we are all in this together” and we can accomplish more if we believe that to be true. My films aim to do that.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
Both of my triggers were death related. I have experienced a lot of death in my life. The first trigger that changed by life was my fiancés death, that was the “Aha Moment”, the difficulty of life, and the need for healing through art.
The final trigger that made me want to take Cathartic Realism to the next level was the loss of my father, Lyndon Chubbuck. I realized the importance of healing and the brevity of time. My dad never got to see my first film in theaters. I bought him a ticket anyway.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I am particularly proud of the emotional work done in an upcoming Cathartic Realism piece I made titled, Resilient. This story, which is about generational trauma and complex PTSD, starts when a woman is accidentally hit on the street. She is triggered into a trauma response that takes her deep into the recesses of her mind and her history of abuse. Through the power of connection with her loving husband, she is able to find her inner strength and transmute the energy of trauma by choosing love over pain.
The star, Simin Vaswani, was primarily healing through the art of dance, so this film includes dance as part of the cathartic journey. She found me after I won “Best Female Filmmaker” in the Vegas Movie Awards for a Cathartic Realist feature I created titled, (Corona) Viral Monologues, where I spoke about Cathartic Realism.
This is her first experience on-screen acting, so Simin was concerned that we wouldn’t be able to reach the emotional heights that are reflective of her authentic experience. I told her not to worry, we are going to go to a real place in order to heal, therefore the authenticity will shine. Let me tell you, she went there. What you will see on screen is real.
Through the writing and analytical process used in Cathartic Realism, she now sees her trauma through the lens of love — enabling her to find a new levels of relationship within herself and her mother. Through the acting, she confronted her past, and now chooses to be fearless. Through the post process, she has found expansion in her heart that wouldn’t have happened if she wasn’t taken through the journey of catharsis in her own trauma.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
- Join our community. We are having a Cathartic Realism party this fall! Follow us on IG for details @catharticrealism. I want to bring everyone together to create a community of artists who want to explore their traumas in a safe setting with other likeminded artists.
- Tell your own story. At the cathartic realism party, happening Fall of 2022, we are going to go through the process of making your own Cathartic Realism piece — the more stories we have regarding the same topic, the more we can understand that there is a spectrum of feelings and responses to various “life stimuli.” The more films we tell, the larger our library of empathy, because we can understand.
- Share the films. Cathartic Realism is a new film genre about solving things that lead us to a more enjoyable, and inspirational way to heal. Film has a very special place in my heart because of the healing journey I get to go on with my fellow cast and crew. There is another level of magic when we bear empathic witness as a society. This not only creates an environment of having catharsis for the artist, but for the viewer as well. If the viewer relates, then they feel like they are not alone in their despair. If they have no experience in the subject matter being presented on screen, then they can find new insight to something they previously only had judgement on.
By the attempt to overcome through the reclaiming of trauma through storytelling, the journey is made to be one that is extraordinary, and immersive.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Find purpose in your pain.
After my fiance died, I was a mess. I moved back in with my parents and spent all day smoking and playing candy crush. When I started working with actors, I used that pain to illustrate personalization. Every time I would allow myself to be vulnerable, they would rise up and blossom as an actor.
2. We need to be real with each other.
Shame disappears when you realize you are not alone. In an attempt to not burden those around me, I felt like I had to grieve alone for many years. Unfortunately, that made it a lot worse.
A study by James Pennybaker, found that when trauma survivors stayed silent on their traumas, it created a situation that was as traumatic as the trauma itself. He suggests emotive writing, but I believe Cathartic Realism takes that up a level.
3. Not everyone is going to understand your vision.
My uncle, who works at a psychiatric hospital, thought Cathartic Realism would be a therapeutic tool for his patients — young women who experienced trauma, to create something empowering using the pain. We were going to explain what Cathartic Realism was, and our mission, so he sent my first piece of film for Cathartic Realism titled, how I lost my virginity, to the hospital director — she was so triggered by the piece that he was called in for disciplinary action.
People are ripe for misunderstanding. However, if they walk into the film knowing that the person who lived it is guiding the artistic choices, with the intention to process and heal trauma — then you can’t approach with judgement. You must approach with understanding and empathy. Everyone has their own version of events, how those events effected their lives, and how they can overcome it. And that’s a good thing.
4. Connection/Communication with others is why we’re here.
We need to feel like we belong, we need to feel loved, to feel seen, to feel connection. What often prevents connection and healthy communication is shame. As someone who carries a lot of shame, I need to tackle it head on. As an only child, I have an irrational fear that I need and ask for too much, but also have a desperate need for connection and love — those two things mixed together have made it really hard to cultivate friendships that feel safe.
Through the Cathartic Realism process, I have been able to create lasting, meaningful relationships that feel more like a familial community. What occurred to me is that — yes, I am needy. But, I am loveable too.
5. Don’t wait. Just create.
Perfectionists — listen up. Just go for it!
Your first endeavor isn’t going to be the only one. Your first attempts at greatness will fall short of your expectations, so start anyway. Find a community of like minded individuals that are willing to grow with you. The pressure is lessened when it’s about the long haul for the larger impact.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
You have to live in the world. Look at your likes and dislikes about the world, and use whatever it is you love doing to try to change what you believe needs to be transformed. If you wait for the revolutionaries to get it together, you will be waiting a long time. If you want to have a say, then say it!
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Halle, who I have known my entire life, is one of the hardest working women in show business. She works with Ivana personally, and she understands the power of the Chubbuck Technique. She actually wrote one of my college recommendation letters to Tisch at NYU (SPOILER: I got in).
Cathartic realism is an expansion of the Chubbuck technique to encompass writing, directing and editing. Halle has the bravery to take her pain and trauma into her work as an actor, director, and creator of original content. She embodies the very nature of Cathartic Realism.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“If you own your story, you get to rewrite the ending.”
Through the acting work done in the Chubbuck Technique, along with the previous pieces of Cathartic Realism we have created, I have found that winning is an important part of taking back ownership of your pain. We can find the beauty in our brokenness, and the purpose to our pain.
How can our readers follow you online?
You can find out more about Cathartic Realism at www.catharticrealism.com and on Instagram @catharticrealism
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/claire_chubbuck/ and find more about me at imdb.me/clairechubbuck
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!’
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