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One of the many films to world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival was writer-director Bridey Elliott’s Clara’s Ghost. Shot entirely on location at the Elliott Family home in Old Lyme, Connecticut, the film stars her immediate family (Chris Elliott, Abby Elliott and her mom, Paula Niedert Elliott) and they play a fictionalized version of themselves. From the synopsis:

As comedic actor Ted Reynolds (Chris Elliott) struggles with his fading stardom; he and wife Clara (Paula Niedert Elliott) invite their daughters(Abby Elliott, Bridey Elliott) —a pair of former child stars—home for an airline magazine family photo shoot. While celebrating their dog’s birthday with amiable drug dealer Poo Poo (Haley Joel Osment); the vodka-loving clan devolves into a drunken mess and bitter pettiness ensues as Clara is forced to confront her self-centered family by a supernatural force (Isidora Goreshter) only she can see.

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Image via Sundance Institute

Shortly after seeing the film I sat down with Chris Elliott, Abby Elliott, Bridey Elliott and Paula Niedert Elliott for an exclusive interview at the Collider Studio. They talked about their scene-stealing dog, what the film is about, what it was like for Bridey telling her family that she was going to make a movie about their life, why she shot the movie 4:3, their standout memory from filming, the writing process, and so much more. In addition, towards the end of the interview they played get to know your Sundance attendee which includes questions like what they collect, their drink of choice, the last great TV show they watched, and more.

Check out what they had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about.

kia supper suite

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone at Kia and The Future Party for helping to make these interviews happen at the Kia Supper Suite and offering up transportation in the all new Kia Stinger high performance Sportback for our guests. We’d also like to thank Altec Lansing, Kunde Wines, Blue Moon Brewing, and Topo Chico for their support.

Chris Elliott, Abby Elliott, Bridey Elliott and Paula Niedert Elliott:

  • They describe the film and how it's based on their family life.
  • What was it like telling her family that she was going to make a movie about their life?
  • claras-ghost-haley-joel-osment
    Image via Sundance Institute
    They talk about the scene-stealing dog.
  • They discuss the writing process and how the script came together.
  • Why did they decide to shoot the movie in 4:3?
  • What's their standout memory from filming?
  • They talk about filming slow-motion scenes.
  • They discuss the feeling of safety and freedom that came from making a movie with family.
  • How long did it take Paula to get comfortable acting?
  • What was the editing and screening process like?
  • What was the last great TV show they watched?
  • Is there anything that they collect?
  • What's their drink of choice?
  • What's the first website they look at in the morning?
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Image via Sundance Institute
bridey-elliott-claras-ghost-movie-image
Image via Sundance Institute

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