Ep # 106: Consistency Over Perfection: Briana Clearly on Making 12 Films in a Year

This episode was recorded live on Saturday February 28th, 2026 at Lumpen Radio.

Summary of the episode

In this live, unedited episode recorded at Lumpen Radio 105.5 FM in Chicago, I sit down with Chicago filmmaker Briana Clearly to talk about what it really means to choose consistency over perfection.

Briana took on the ambitious challenge of making 12 films in 12 months — and then turned that experiment into a community-driven initiative called Filmmakers Mixtape. In this conversation, we unpack how committing to one film a month transforms not just your craft, but your mindset.

We talk about creative blocks, releasing work before it feels “ready,” building artistic community without ego, and why making good films is actually a side effect — not the point.

If you’re an artist stuck in perfectionism, a filmmaker craving momentum, or someone who needs a reminder to just make the thing anyway, this episode is for you.

What we talk about (you know… casually)

Making 12 films in 12 months (and why you don’t need money to do it)
Why consistency beats perfection every time
Building Filmmakers Mixtape from a personal challenge into a cohort
How community makes better art (and better artists)
Briana’s journey from the Navy to film school
Mentorship, vulnerability, and learning to take feedback
The dream of friendship-centered dramedies
Releasing work publicly — even when it feels scary

Things We Mentioned

All about... Briana Clearly

You’re gonna love Briana Clearly — she’s a collaborative director, community builder, and the creative force behind Filmmakers Mixtape, a 12-month filmmaking challenge designed to help artists prioritize process over perfection.

A former Navy sailor turned Chicago-based filmmaker, Briana is deeply committed to telling stories centered on Black women, friendship, and lived experience — always inviting audiences into conversation rather than spectacle.

She believes filmmaking is a practice, not a performance. And honestly? That energy is contagious.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to noseyAF

• 09:02 - Exploring Filmmaking and Personal Storytelling

• 20:54 - Exploring the Dynamics of Friendship in Storytelling

• 31:56 - The Birth of Filmmakers Mixtape

• 41:32 - The Importance of Vulnerability in Filmmaking

• 50:41 - Exploring New Art Practices

• 59:01 - The Art of Filmmaking

Sponsor Shoutout 💖

This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour.

Every Wednesday from 7–9pm CT, artists gather on Zoom to tackle the admin we’ve all been avoiding — grant applications, budgets, residency forms, invoices, all of it.

Because behind every exhibition is a clear budget.

Admin is the flex.

Join us at: artistadminhour.com

Connect with Briana Clearly

Instagram: @brianaclearly
Filmmakers Mixtape: @filmmakersmixtape
Website: https://www.brianaclearly.com/

More ways to connect:

Support & Feedback

Episode Credits

Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)

Lyrics: Queen Lex

Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam