Sandy K. Boone is a director and producer. She began making films in the 1980s with her late husband, filmmaker David Boone. She served as associate producer on “Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny” and executive producer on films such as “Blaze,” “Tower,” and “The Honor Farm.” “J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius” is Boone’s directorial debut.
“J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and The Church of the SubGenius” will premiere at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival on March 10.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
SKB: This film is an homage to my late husband and early member of the Church of the SubGenius, David Boone, aka “Roperto de la Rosa,” and to his film style. It is also a venue for the founders of the Church, Doug Smith, aka “Rev. Ivan Stang,” and Steve Wilcox, aka “Philo Drummond,” to tell the true and unabridged story of the Church of the SubGenius for the first time.
It was important to them that after their passing—or as Doug Smith would say, “upon boarding the pleasure saucers”— that the world would not turn the tongue-in-cheek joke of the Church of the SubGenius into a real cult or possible Scientology.
The film also examines a humorous but effective mode to speak out, especially now, in the age of Trump, fake news, and cult practices being used in our politics and government today.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
SKB: In all honesty, my original motivation was to stop crying, take action, and find a path to speak out about the absurdity of our current political situation—which was fast becoming far more absurd than the Church of the SubGenius was or ever had been!
After reuniting with Church founders Doug and Steve and reminiscing over the past, I discovered that a documentary of the Church had never been completed. The opportunity became clear and once I received a “Bob’s” blessing I worked to turn our hopes and dreams into reality.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
SKB: I am hoping the audience will experience many “aha” moments, and that the film serves as a catalyst for both inner reflection and outer dialogue. I’d like folks to consider how others, especially those in positions of power, use cult tactics to separate and divide us with fear.
Let’s find some creative ways to make civility, truth, thoughtfulness, and empathy popular again!
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
SKB: Sorting through the mammoth archive of footage, documents, and drawings acquired in the over 40 year period since the Church was established was quite an undertaking.
It was also quite a task deciphering ownership of the material to make sure we obtained permission for use or followed Fair Use guidelines. The Church members often videoed material right off the television!
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
SKB: We launched a Kickstarter to raise a portion of the funds for our film. Through the Church we had a built-in network to help us spread the word, and we had a dedicated team who helped us raise over $200,000 from over 1,200 generous backers.
The remainder was made up from personal and investor funds.
W&H: What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
SKB: In the early ’80s, my late husband and I created a 45-minute “SubGenius” cult film called “Invasion of the Aluminum People” as a project for his class while he was attending the University of Texas film school. My family and our friends served as the cast, and it was such a fun experience.
What I love about independent film is the joint adventure and camaraderie of the crew and cast in a creative endeavor. Film, like life, is better as a “joint venture!”
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
SKB: Making a film is very much like starting a business. Though not glamorous, the reality and best common sense advice I have received is to have a solid business plan, budget, script, and finances in place before your creative project begins.
We all need a Plan A, but we also need a Plan B so that production of your film is actually able to be completed. Something always goes wrong during a production, and it is best to plan for it and not pretend it won’t happen to you. I have lived my life on Plan B!
The second most significant advice I have received is that you cannot be an expert at everything. Seek and hire experts for your budget and business plan, like a publicist and the best entertainment and fair use lawyers you “cannot” afford! Ha!
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
SKB: Own your femininity, in whatever form it takes for you. The world has plenty of scripts written by men, describing their view of a female character, her life experiences, or her story.
I want to see a woman’s characterization of the true experience—of the menstrual faux pas in the white jeans, the angst or accomplished feats of being a woman in a male dominated society, motherhood, single motherhood, or choosing to not be a mother at all in our society, of female bonds and relationships.
Through the written word and through film we have this priceless gift to show the world: I am woman, hear me roar!
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
SKB: One of my favorites is “Bend It Like Beckham,” directed by Gurinder Chadha. I appreciate its uplifting sports saga message, comedic humor, and that it is a multicultural, believable, female-driven story about relationships.
W&H: It’s been a little over a year since the reckoning in Hollywood and the global film industry began. What differences have you noticed since the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements launched?
SKB: There is a sense of hope and enthusiasm, but change is slow. I would hope that in time, a film by a woman would be noticed not because it was directed or written by a woman, but because it was a great work, period!
