former gatekeeper turned filmmaker therapist.
*claudette is not a licensed therapist :)
Ask Me Anything
I spent decades as the gatekeeper and final boss of film & tv curation at SXSW. I was immersed in thousands of projects year after year, cold watching to discover filmmakers. I selected their work before a laurel, a review, score, or an audience has told anybody what to think. Festivals, submissions, and what actually happens after you hit submit. How consideration and programming operate to create the final selection, and why great projects still get rejected.
As a lifetime advocate for talent, I am your ultimate hype-person, your personal cheerleader, and your loudest voice in the room. Count on me to gas you up and celebrate your wins.
In an industry full of yes-men, you can count on me for radical transparency and direct, honest assessments. I am trusted by studios, publicists, and filmmakers to give them off-the-record feedback and advice. No games, no politics. Just the real, grounded perspective you actually need to make the best decisions for your project or event.
Real questions get real answers. The more specific you are below, the better I can tell you if this is a fit.
Prefer email direct? ccg@filmmakertherapy.com
