From idea to conception: filmmaker and educator Sheila Schroeder talks about her experience in the film industry

Sheila Schroeder [Image by the University of Denver]

From the movies on the big screen, to YouTube videos, to social media content, careers in film and video production have wide-ranging applications and have been increasing steadily, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

With the development of the internet and social media, an incredible amount of content has become available through different platforms such as Vimeo, Youtube, and countless others. This has given filmmakers regardless of their age, gender, experience, and more the ability to have a voice through film. 

“As a filmmaker I choose lots of different projects to do so I’ve done short and feature documentaries, I’ve done narrative shorts, I’ve done experimental films, and upcoming I’m going to be the social media producer for the women in turf team at the US women open gold tournament,” said Schroeder. 

Sheila Schroder is an educator at the University of Denver, as well as a filmmaker who has a wide variety of experience in her field. 

Originally Schroeder was studying communications and hoping to go into sports broadcasting, however, her passion for film was inspired one day when standing in a cornfield at 4 a.m. in Indiana.

“Seeing the mist and the fog rise from the corn, and the bugs sort of dancing gin the sunlight as the sun was coming up. I was helping to shoot a documentary about organic farming and in particular a group of nuns who were running an organic farm. In that moment, I point to that moment as a seminal moment in my info-making career, thinking this is just such a beautiful opportunity to be here telling this particular story at this particular time,” said Schroeder. 

When it comes to education, a bachelor’s degree is the norm for those entering into the film industry. If they are successful, the average salary is approximately $79,000 a year according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

One way to get your start, and how Schroeder was able to get her start in the industry is by making great connections. 

“I started creating collaborations and being part of collaborations. When I was in graduate school this particular film was being produced by a friend thatch I was sort of working with at the PBS station in Bloomington, so thats kinda how I got my foot in the door,” said Schroeder. 

In her time in the industry, Schroeder has witnessed numerous changes in both the way films are made, as well as the universality of projects and creators. 

“There are so many more people with the capability of turning on Instagram live and they have an audience, and all of a sudden they have an audience, where that wasn’t before. The universality of sharing your voice is much greater now than it has ever been,“ said Schroeder.

This can act as a sort of double-edged sword, as according to Schroeder, the addition of so many voices can be helpful and important in making sure there are many voices and views being represented. However, so many voices can also oversaturate the market and lead the way for hate as well as representation. 

Schroeder is no novice though when it comes to using her work for not just artistic endeavors, but activism as well.

Her film “Sole Journey” is one example of such.

“It was focused on the family which is an organization based in Colorado Spring that perpetuates a lot of hatred and anti-LGBTQ legislation,” said Schroeder. She further said she would like to see more films like this that help to expose the connection between religious oppression and legislation against queer communities. 

Schroeder’s range and ability to produce films in numerous genres and subject matters are further testaments to the diversity that exists within the profession, and the opportunities those interested in filmmaking may have. 

Besides “Sole Journey,” Schroeder says her favorite projects so far have been a short documentary about her mother-in-law called “Crunch”, and a film titled “Happy F-ing Valentines Day” that was produced for Project DU FILM. 

Both of these films are great examples of how real-life experiences can impact someone’s Film. Schroeder got the idea for “Happy F-ing Valentines Day” after she and her partner had anonymously bought a couples meal at a restaurant. 

“We started brainstorming what are some of the things that could have happened after we left the restaurant. That afternoon I sat at the computer and I would type out a scene and read it to her… at the end of that 4 or 5 hours I had the rough draft of Happy F-ing Valentines Day,” said Schroeder. 

Not only did this day lead to one of her favorite films, but also to the creation of her project DU FILM, which brings students together with professionals and allows them to be a key part in creating a film.  

“We could bring students together with alumni and faculty and make these short films while students got this experience on set. I raised a little bit of money and over Christmas, we went up to the small town where this all happened. We stayed for four days and four nights and made this film, and it was one of the best if not the best filming experience of my life,” said Schroeder. 

This film as well as their more recent production “Scary Lucy” can be found on the DU FILM website. 

The film industry is a growing one, with a 24% predicted growth rate in terms of available jobs according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

When asked about what advice she would give people looking to become filmmakers, Schroeder had a few words of advice.

Firstly, she urged those interested to make as many films as possible in lots of different genres. And second, she urged young filmmakers to find a good group of people.

“Build up a group of people who you love and trust, and who are creative, and whose visions are different from yours so that you can learn together. The only way you’re going to learn is to make films so make as many as you can,”  concluded Schroeder.