INTERVIEW WITH JULIE ENGLANDER | 4/20/2023

JULIE ENGLANDER is a veteran documentarian and beloved teacher at Chicago Filmmakers. Her Developing the Documentary class has incited cohorts of students to tackle the movies they’ve long contemplated producing.

Julie brings passion and care to her teaching practice, teaching one of our best reviewed and most popular classes. She leaves an indelible creative mark on her cohorts of students. Her professional accomplishments include documentaries produced for Kartemquin Films, Chicago PBS affiliate WTTW, and ABC News.

CF: Can you talk about a foundational documentary filmmaking experience - one that you’re passionate about?

JE: I was on the producing team for "Punch 9 for Harold Washington," about Chicago's first Black mayor, and brought in the first grant money for the film. I'm really proud to have been involved with this documentary and to have helped the director bring his vision to life. Right now as a society, we just need some hope, and to be reminded of what real leadership looks like.

CF: What do you think students will get from Developing the Doc that most advances their work and creative thinking?

JE: One of the best features of the class is when students can find some community. I like to think that I share useful insights with students on their projects - but students also give great feedback to each other and are so supportive of their classmates. We're often opening up new possibilities for each other, and to my mind that's a plus, on top of what we cover from the syllabus.

CF: What is the most powerful lesson you've been taught about filmmaking?

JE: I read this gem in Fernanda Rossi's book Trailer Mechanics: "The question of talent will haunt you, but your job as a filmmaker is not to seek out answers. Your job is to continue working. I used to have a sign on my desk that read, 'Am I talented? Nobody knows. Nobody cares. Now get back to work.' "

For more on Chicago Filmmakers’ classes, visit: https://chicagofilmmakers.org/adult-filmmaking-classes