“Renaissance Kid” is Breaking Hollywood Conventions

I recently interviewed Clark Winegar, the writer and director of the upcoming film “Renaissance Kid.” He shared insights into the inspiration behind the movie and the challenges faced during its production.

Winegar has a deep love for storytelling. The origins of “Renaissance Kid” occurred almost 15 years ago when he became a father. Concerned about the hidden messages in popular children’s movies, he aimed to create a film that defied Hollywood conventions and delivered a crucial message: “You are inherently enough.”

The movie follows a friendless teen who discovers a new power, using it to fulfill his dreams of popularity. However, when the magic falls into the wrong hands, the nerdy protagonist, along with his newfound friends, must prove they have what it takes to save the day.

Winegar explained that he wanted to counter the prevailing theme in many kids’ movies that suggest greatness is achievable only through superpowers or extraordinary circumstances. Instead, he wanted to emphasize embracing one’s authentic self as the path to greatness.

“You’re not a wizard or a Jedi or the son of billionaire parents” said Winegar. “Don’t get me wrong. I love many of these movies. I think they’re fun and entertaining. They can even inspire in some ways, but today, kids and teens are facing a mental health crisis like nothing we’ve ever seen.”

The director shared his motivation as a filmmaker, expressing a desire to create films that entertain, inspire, and align with his values. “Renaissance Kid” embodies this goal, blending magic and superpowers with a message that challenges the viewer to recognize their inherent worth.

“I love stories! Always have. I love to tell them, watch them, read them, etc. But when it comes to film, I feel like there are fewer and fewer films being made that entertain, inspire, and align with my values. So I wanted to see if I could make films that did all those things. I think Renaissance Kid does, but I also hope to continue and improve on that goal.”

One of the highlights of the filmmaking process, according to Winegar, was collaborating with a talented team who brought their ideas and interpretations to enhance the story. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the film’s vision while being open to contributions that improved the overall project.

However, Winegar admitted that achieving the desired vision and quality on a limited budget was the most challenging aspect of making “Renaissance Kid.” Despite going over budget and facing financial constraints, he praised the amazing team that worked on the project.

“I would have loved to have more time to shoot difficult scenes, pay our extras and attract more, hire a soccer trainer for our lead , license popular music, and on and on.”

Reflecting on what he would do differently if given the chance, Winegar acknowledged various aspects he could improve, highlighting the challenges of balancing time, budget, and creative decisions during the filmmaking process.

“One example that’s fresh on my mind because I’m still working on it: I knew I wanted to have some on-screen graphics in the final version of the film, but I wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to do them and we were running out of time, so I committed the cardinal sin and said we’d figure it out in post.  Well, the graphics are there, but some are kinda clunky and I’m still working on making them fit better. I wish I’d figured them all out, put them in the storyboard, and included planned shots for them.”

As for the film’s release, “Renaissance Kid” is entirely self-funded and made on spec. Winegar mentioned that they are still exploring the right distribution path, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting updates on when and where they can watch the movie.

For those interested in following Clark Winegar’s career, he provided a glimpse into his digital introversion, with most social media posts managed by his wife. However, audiences can connect with him through his website at https://clarkwinegar.com/.

As the release of “Renaissance Kid” awaits distribution, Clark Winegar’s unconventional approach to storytelling is a refreshing take on the coming-of-age genre, challenging the traditional narratives often presented in mainstream cinema.

About Warren Workman

Warren Workman is the founder of the Utah International Film Festival. Workman’s passion is to share the stories of the filmmakers behind the movies and to encourage the next generation of filmmakers. Workman provides these services through ReelVibe PR.