REEL WOMEN

REEL WOMEN Celebrates: Claire Connelly, Producer

By Claire Connelly
April 9, 2025

Editor’s Note: Supporting women should not be limited to a month. So, at Reel Chicago, we have decided to amplify and promote dynamic women’s voices all year long. Today, let us introduce you to Abelson Taylor Producer, Claire Connelly.

Claire Connelly is a Southern transplant to Chicago, where she’s made her home for the past 25 years. With a background in content and film production, she spent 14 years in the film industry working on projects like The Dark Knight, Ryan Gosling’s Lost River, Stranger Than Fiction, The Weather Man, and independent films Dig Two Graves and Postales.

She later moved into advertising, where she’s worked on commercial campaigns for Harley Davidson, Goose Island Beer, and Cleveland Clinic. Now, Claire is producing for pharmaceutical clients Ingrezza and Tymlos for the Abelson Taylor Group.

Navigating the relationships between creative teams and client marketing teams is part of her everyday work. With her experience in production, Claire adapts quickly to changes in budget and schedule while managing everything from prep to post-production. She thrives under pressure, loves problem-solving, and is always focused on getting the best results for clients.

Outside of work, Claire is an avid traveler and a pet mom to a very sassy 9-pound Havanese pup who keeps her on her toes.

Let’s meet Claire!

What’s your Chicago story?

I moved to Chicago after college to live here for one year. I started working in indie film and fell in love with the industry and with Chicago. I also quickly figured out that the way to get my next job was to keep working with the people from the last job and decided moving to another city would mean starting from scratch. So – still here 25 years later!

How did you break into producing?

I fortunately crossed paths with Christina Varotsis early on in my time in Chicago and she took a chance on hiring me on an indie called “Ball in the House” (later renamed Relative Evil). I worked as the Producer and Director’s assistant and started learning the job from the bottom up.

There is nothing better than being a PA or assistant and getting to ask questions and learn (and make some embarrassing mistakes as well!) In 2014, I was ready for a bit of a job shift and a former boss from the film world (Lisa Gildehaus) had taken a job at VSA Chicago. She asked if I had interest in learning the agency side of the business and I jumped at the chance. I was excited to learn more about the post side of things and see projects from concepting to completion.

How has Chicago influenced your creative journey?

I thrive in this city – the art, architecture, and the lake are all places I draw a lot of inspiration from daily. I have become a major architecture nerd since moving to Chicago, and the history of how the city was rebuilt after the fire and drew so many different architects and creative minds to the city is a huge source of inspiration.

Chicago is known for its grind and resilience. How has that shaped your career?

I love the crews in Chicago (from casting through post) – there is so much hard work and grit that comes from this town, and it comes through in the work. There is always a sense of rolling up our sleeves and diving in until we get what we need.

What’s a creative risk you took that paid off?

There have been several – but I think the biggest risk that paid off was making the jump from film to advertising (though I can’t say that I don’t miss the movie side of things!) It was a scary jump but one that has let me learn a lot and expand my skills and understanding as a producer.

Chicago has given us Michelle Obama, Oprah, Joan Cusack, Shonda Rhimes, Linda Kaplan Thaler, Barbara Proctor, Lena Waithe, and so many powerhouse women. What’s it going to take to create even more opportunities for Chicago women?

I think women getting opportunities in Chicago (or anywhere) is greatly based on mentorship and other women opening doors for the women coming up underneath them. I have been so fortunate to have incredible mentors who let me ask a lot of questions, understand budgets, work through problems and sit in the room and learn. Being allowed to have a safe space to ask questions (and make mistakes) is the best way to grow and expand.

What’s your take on the rise of AI?

I have only used AI in the testing and concepting phases so far – it does allow for us to explore some options/ideas that we previously haven’t been able to explore. I do find some of the elements of AI a bit intimidating, but I feel like there is a lot to learn about how we can use AI as a tool in the future.

Are you bringing back Soul Train or American Bandstand?

Soul Train.

How do you balance ambition with self-care?

Weekly yoga class with my best friend and a lot of meditation. I also love to travel so I plan a big trip every year to two years that gives me a big break from work. The planning is also half the fun and something that I can do when I need a bit of balance!