Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith has directed thirteen films. But, unfortunately, he did not have Hollywood connections or the bankroll to kickstart his first movie simply.
Kevin sold his comic book collection and maxed out many credit cards to raise the money required to make the film. He saved money by basing the movie on where he worked, filming at the convenience store at night. Additionally, he also cast friends and acquaintances instead of hiring actors.
He eventually screened his film, Clerks, at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival and won the Filmmaker's Trophy. It became a successful hit, making over 3.2 million dollars against an initial budget of $27,575. The Library of Congress even selected Clerks for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2019.
Quotes
"Clerks" is so utterly authentic that its heroes have never heard of their generation. When they think of "X," it's on the way to the video store.
Roger Ebert
