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Documentary First

The craft and business of documentary filmmaking, from people who actually do it.

Documentary First is a weekly podcast for working and aspiring documentary filmmakers who want honest, in-depth conversations about how documentaries get funded, made, and seen. Listen Notes ranks the show in the top 5 percent of all podcasts worldwide.

Hosted by Christian Taylor, award-winning director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom (25+ international awards, distributed through Virgil Films, Swank, and Canal+), the show draws on 295+ conversations with documentary filmmakers, editors, producers, distributors, and composers across HBO, Netflix, PBS, and the independent doc world. Past guests include Ken Burns, PBS American Masters creator Susan Lacy, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning editor Charles Olivier (HBO’s The Jinx, The Redeem Team), and Emmy-nominated director Nick Bruckman (Netflix’s Minted).

Every week, Documentary First delivers two formats in one feed. The main show is a long-form interview about how filmmakers approach their craft, handle distribution, and build a career that lasts. On alternating weeks, Documentary First: The Deep Dive takes a single insight from a recent guest conversation and goes further, drawing on psychology, philosophy, and hard-won experience to find the lesson underneath the work.

Christian hosts from inside the work, not from the sidelines. She has films in production right now, so she asks the questions a working documentary filmmaker actually needs answered, because she needs them answered too.

Topics include: documentary directing, documentary producing, documentary distribution, film festival strategy, fundraising for documentaries, storytelling craft, documentary cinematography, documentary editing, film music and scoring, sound design for film, entertainment law for filmmakers, archival footage and rights clearance, and building a sustainable career in nonfiction filmmaking.

New episodes every week. Subscribe and leave a review.

Instagram: @documentaryfirst | Facebook: @documentaryfirst | X: @Doc_First | TikTok: @documentaryfirst | YouTube: @DocumentaryFirst | LinkedIn: documentaryfirst | documentaryfirst.com

Copyright: © Documentary First, all rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 230 | Normandy Trip Update feat. Peyton Rabb Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

DISCLAIMER -- *Documentary First Productions and it’s staff acknowledge the complexity of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Comments made in this video are meant to explore the complexity of violence rather than to promote or stand for a particular cause. --

In this week's episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor is joined by summer intern Peyton Rabb to recount their unforgettable journey to Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. The Documentary First Productions team had the profound honor of accompanying 101-year-old WWII veteran Ceo Bauer to the commemorative ceremonies—his first experience in Normandy attending the D-Day commemorations.

This deeply moving experience touched not only Ceo and the team but also the people of Normandy and the active-duty military members who took part in the events. Christian and Peyton reflect on the emotional impact of their documentary, "The Girl Who Wore Freedom", which centers around Ceo Bauer’s story and resonates deeply with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The episode delves into the French perspective on war and freedom, the significance of the D-Day commemorations, and the team's interactions with notable figures like Air Force captain (CPT), Christian Maude.

Listeners will be transported to key moments of the trip, from visiting the historic church at Angoville-au-Plain, with its blood-stained pews, to witnessing a reenactment at Utah Beach. Peyton also shares her personal growth from this experience, including the profound effect of receiving Ceo's book. The episode wraps up with thoughtful reflections on the importance of taking risks, the power of storytelling, and the value of intergenerational friendships forged through shared history. Don't miss this powerful conversation that honors the past while inspiring future connections.

No DocuView Dèjà Vu this episode.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:03 The 80th Anniversary of Normandy 07:28 The Impact of The Girl Who Wore Freedom 11:10 The French Perspective on War and Freedom 15:25 Exploring the Schedule and Events of the Trip 27:25 Inspiring Support from Captain Christian Maude 29:19 A Special Visit to Angoville Church 36:23 Solemn and Impactful Reenactment at Utah Beach 40:23 The Priceless Moment of Receiving Ceo's Book 47:29 The Incredible Involvement of the U.S. Army 52:07 Personal Growth and Transformation 54:03 The Value of Intergenerational Friendships & Conclusion

Episode 229 | The Girl Who Wore Freedom Dream Team, Administration (Part 2) Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

It's Part 2 of 3 in the Dream Team series, Christian Taylor, Todd Anderson, and David Paterson are back! They share about the release of "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" nationally to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. This time they dive into administration, specifically getting hard drives to movie theater owners, frustrations, failures, and all. They learned that keeping track of emails and communication is crucial during a theatrical release. It takes money to make money, yet the devil is in the details; Sometimes the operations cost more than expected.

Episode 228 | Deep Dive Into "Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine" w/ Brian Skerry Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

Brian Skerry, a renowned documentary filmmaker and photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife discusses his journey in the industry and his latest documentary series, Sea Change, July 24 on PBS.

Skerry shares how he started as a diver and developed a passion for underwater photography and filmmaking. He also talks about his transition from photography to becoming a producer for ocean documentaries.

We are happy to share this conversation with a producer who won an Emmy for creating Disney+ "Secret of the Whales".

Links:

Brianskerry.com Instagram.com/brianskerry https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/series/sea-change-the-gulf-of-maine/

DocuView Dèjà Vu

Brian:

Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, 2024, 77 mins, Watch on Hulu, IMDB Link: Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story (2024) - IMDb

Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, 2024, 147mins, Watch on HBO Max, IMDB Link: Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple (2024) - IMDb

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction and Background of Brian Skerry 02:22 Brian Skerry's Journey in Filmmaking 08:53 Transitioning into Producing and Directing 19:09 The Importance of Planning and Portfolio Building 26:52 Combining Visual Storytelling and Logistics 35:06 Addressing Climate Change in Documentaries 37:49 The Meaning of the Ocean Being a Carbon Sink 41:21 The Decline of the Gulf of Maine 48:29 The Power of Storytelling in Environmental Conservation 59:43 Research and Exploration in Filmmaking 01:06:34 Where to Watch Sea Change 01:07:30 DocuView Dèjà Vu

Episode 227 | The Girl Who Wore Freedom Dream Team - Part 1 Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Our dream team who was in charge of releasing "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" in theaters for the 80th anniversary of D-day, June 6, 2024 reunite! They offer a behind-the-scenes look into the herculean effort in getting our first documentary successfully on the big screen. Throughout the conversation, the team emphasizes the importance of crafting compelling emails, employing creative outreach tactics, and maintaining meticulous follow-up to ensure success. They share their experiences navigating the challenges of securing commitments and marketing the film across different theaters and communities. Their dedication and efforts culminated in a successful theatrical release, significantly raising awareness about D-Day and honoring its legacy

No DocuView Dèjà Vu this episode

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 01:31 How Todd Anderson Got Involved 25:27 Crafting Effective Outreach Emails 29:14 Tracking and Follow-Up 36:08 Reaching Out to Local Communities 38:51 Challenges in Securing Theater Commitments 48:23 Conclusion

Sponsor: http://ArtillerySports.com Use the code DocFirst for 10% off your order today!

Episode 226 | Saffron Cassaday, Directing a Film About Poop Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

After suffering from Ulcerative Colitis for nearly a decade, filmmaker Saffron Cassaday tried a new treatment known as Fecal Microbiota Transplant: taking stool from a healthy donor and implanting it into the gut of a sick patient. She chronicles this journey in DESIGNER $HIT, https://geni.us/DesignerShit.

We were fortunate to have her on the podcast to share about her start in the entertainment industry as a commercial editor and later directing the successful documentary, "Cyber-Seniors" https://cyberseniorsdocumentary.com/. We get into her most recent project, a revealing medical journey that features turning poop into medicine.

DocuView Dèjà Vu:

Saffron:

“Babies” 2010, 79 mins, Watch on Amazon/Prime, IMDB LINK: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020938/

Christian:

“Cat Daddies” 2022, 89 mins, Watch on Plex, Tubi, Prime, IMDB LINK: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10968602/

“Unsung Hero” 2024, 113 mins, Narrative based on a true story, Currently in Theatres, IMDB LINK: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23638614/

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

07:16 Choosing to Being Her Own Subject

20:16 Bridging the Generational Gap Through Technology in "Cyber-Seniors"

23:00 My Mom is the Producer!

25:08 Why You Need to Love the Subject Matter You Are Directing

28:10 "Designer Shit"

31:15 Fecal Transplant Treatment Perspectives in the Medical Community

38:34 DocuView Dèjà Vu

Sponsor: http://ArtillerySports.com Use the code DocFirst for 10% off your order today!

Episode 225 | Human Swiss Army Knife Filmmaking w/ Josh Haygood Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

Did you ever wonder if a "Human Swiss Army Knife" of filmmaking existed? Well, in this episode, you'll meet one: Josh Haygood, also known as "The Fixer."

Join us as Christian and Josh chat about how Josh got into filmmaking, transitioning from photography to moving pictures. From his time in Vietnam, devouring National Geographic, to landing jobs with the UN and MTV, Josh's journey is fascinating.

We explore Haygood's extensive resume, showcasing his ability to tackle any job in the industry. His versatility and problem-solving skills earned him the nickname "The Fixer" during his years at MTV. He shares some of his experiences about being called to "fix" a project.

Haygood worked on a recent documentary project that involved an innovative boating propeller, https://maelstrompropellers.com/

In a segment called "Answer Me This," Christian throws Haygood a few questions about life and media arts.

By the end of the episode, we invite Josh to be a "friend of the show" as we are excited to have him back to delve into more areas of filmmaking.

DocuView Dèjà Vu:

JOSH: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor”, 2018, 95 mins, Watch on Netflix or Prime, IMDB LINK:

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018) ⭐ 8.3 | Documentary, Biography, History

Josh Haygood's production company link:

https://www.banditofilms.com/

Timecodes:

(00:00) - Introduction
(12:17) How does somebody get to be in your position?
(15:23) Development expertise in a thing become really, really good at least one thing.
(17:28) The propeller company, the “Maelstrom Propellers” project.
(21:46) “What do you want to do with that documentary?”
(24:44) "What is one thing a person starting out could do to further their career?"
(25:49) Josh names a person that really influenced his life. And why they made a difference to him.
(27:39) “Three things that you tell your people when you want to set the tone on any production”
(33:23) "What do you do when you're really struggling? When you don't have a project to work on or when the project you're working on isn't going well?"
(43:51) "You absolutely seem to love your work and this lifestyle. And I just want to know. Why? This is a crazy job. It's crazy. What is it? Why do you love it so much?"
(49:00) DocuView Dèjà Vu Segment - “Won't You Be My Neighbor”

Bonus Episode | The Genesis of TGWWF - "AM 560 The Answer" May 27, 2024

Show notes

Hey podcast listeners, in anticipation for our limited theatrical release on D-Day, we are sharing a special segment where Christian Taylor was featured on "The Real Story with Jeanne Ives" aired May 26, 2024. Tune in to hear the beginnings of how Taylor got into directing and for updates on "Heroes of Carentan". Stream "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" this Memorial Day on Vudu, Apple TV, Prime Video, and Vimeo.

Episode 224 | D-Day Theatrical Release, Guest: David Paterson (The Girl Who Wore Freedom) May 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Christian and David Paterson discuss the FIRST ever theatrical release of "The Girl Who Wore Freedom"! They highlight the importance of knowing your audience, reaching out to mom-and-pop theaters, and independent film distribution overall.

The conversation explores the reasoning behind having a limited theatrical release for our documentary film. They also touch on the costs associated with distribution and the timing strategy of theatrical releases. The episode concludes with a recommendation for the documentary film "The Greatest Night in Pop", which chronicles the making of the song "We Are the World." https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30796448/

· UPDATE: We have 222 Screenings in 109 Cities and 31 States!!!

· NEW SCREENINGS ADDED DAILY FOR THE GIRL WHO WORE FREEDOM

· CHECK OUT OUR INTERACTIVE MAP and find a screening in a city near you! Click here: https://i.mtr.cool/snfqwdivme

· Be sure to check back frequently, as we'll be adding other locations!

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Company Update 01:27 Theatrical Release Announcement 08:00 The Importance of Knowing Your Audience 13:27 Customizing Outreach Efforts for Community Engagement 25:29 The Financial Aspects of a Theatrical Release 29:45 Persistence in Securing Theatres 33:41 Tailoring Screenings to the Venue 34:07 Flexibility and Options for Theaters 36:18 Considering the Costs of Distribution 46:09 Timing is Key for Theatrical Releases 52:19 DocuView Dèjà Vu: "The Greatest Night in Pop"

Episode 223 | Documenting the $40 Billion Industry of NFTs May 10, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Christian Taylor interviews Nicholas Bruckman, the director of the documentary film 'Minted'. They discuss the film, which explores the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and the artists who have embraced this new technology. Bruckman shares how he discovered the story and gained access to the artists involved. The film follows digital artists on their journey of navigating the rise and fall of the NFT market. Bruckman also reflects on the challenges of documentary filmmaking and the importance of telling meaningful stories. The conversation explores the challenges of documentary filmmaking, including the difficulties of telling a macro story and the need to release control when working with local crews. The filmmakers discuss the process of selecting main characters and the challenges of managing expectations and dealing with participants who may not be featured prominently in the final film. Fear and doubt can arise during the creative process and it is important to retain a sense of freedom and exploration. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the financial aspects of documentary filmmaking and the potential of NFTs as a tool for artists.

Takeaways

The documentary film "Minted" explores the world of NFTs and the artists who have embraced this new technology.
Director Nick Bruckman gained access to the artists and followed their journey as they navigated the rise and fall of the NFT market.
The film highlights the challenges and opportunities of the digital art world and the impact of NFTs on artists' lives and careers. Bruckman reflects on the importance of documentary filmmaking and the power of storytelling to create meaningful connections.
Documentary filmmaking involves challenges such as telling a macro story and releasing control when working with local crews. Selecting main characters can be a difficult process, and managing expectations and dealing with participants who may not be prominently featured in the film is important.
Fear and doubt are common during the creative process, but it's important to retain a sense of freedom and exploration. Financial stability in documentary filmmaking can be achieved through various avenues, such as commercial work or adjacent jobs in the industry.
NFTs present an interesting tool for artists to explore, but marketing and getting work in front of collectors is still crucial.

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 12:48 Exciting News and Distribution Deal for "Minted" 29:34 The Story of Karina and NFTs in Cuba 37:15 Dealing with Fear and Doubt in the Creative Process 52:48 Exploring NFTs as a Tool for Artists

Episode 222 | The Crazy World of "Mad Props" Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Christian provides an update on company developments and announces the upcoming trailer for our next documentary, "Heroes of Carentan." She gives an exclusive about the limited theatrical release of "The Girl Who Wore Freedom." Special guests, Tom Biolchini and Juan Pablo Reinoso, producer, director, and writer of "Mad Props," delve into the origins of "Mad Props," detailing its evolution from a TV show concept to a full-fledged documentary. Juan shares insights into his career and how his reunion with Tom sparked their collaboration on this project.

The discussion explores the significance of embracing failure and highlights Tom’s natural flair as a host within the documentary. Juan outlines his organic filmmaking approach and the narrative development throughout "Mad Props." As the episode draws to a close, Tom shares his enthusiasm about realizing his childhood dreams through documentary.

The conversation spans a variety of topics related to the film’s production, including budgeting, travel logistics, and scheduling. The guests discuss the challenges and strategies of navigating the film festival circuit. They emphasize the positive impact of maintaining a good attitude on set and its influence on the project. Juan reflects on his journey in the film industry, underscoring the importance of perseverance and dedication. Upcoming projects and Juan’s evolving roles in filmmaking are also discussed.

Juan then talks about his favorite documentaries and the inherent unpredictability of documentary filmmaking. He stresses the importance of continuous learning and explains the concept of fair use for incorporating movie clips into documentaries. Insights into acquiring film clips and adapting to the dynamic nature of the film industry are shared. Juan highlights the critical roles of persistence and the filmmaker’s involvement in distribution. Lastly, Juan speaks to the generosity and philanthropy of Tom Biolchini, the focus of his documentary, rounding off a thoroughly engaging episode.

Takeaways

Documentary filmmakers must remain committed to continual learning and adapting to emerging technologies and evolving industry trends. Understanding fair use is paramount for integrating movie clips into documentaries; collaborating with clearance attorneys can provide essential guidance through complex legal landscapes. Persistence and resilience are crucial traits for filmmakers, given the industry's constant flux and the often demanding path to success. Active participation in the film's distribution process is essential, requiring filmmakers to invest significant effort in promoting their work. Moreover, the generosity and philanthropy of individuals like Tom not only enrich the filmmaking community but also leave a lasting impact on the broader world.

DocuView Dèjà Vu:

Juan Pablo Reinoso:

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son about His Father, 2008, 95 mins, Watch on Prime or Tubi, IMDB: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) - IMDb
20 Days in Mariupol, 2023, 95 mins, Watch on Prime, IMDB: 20 Days in Mariupol (2023) - IMDb
Capturing the Friedmans, 2003, 107mins, Watch on Max or buy from Amazon, IMDB: Capturing the Friedmans (2003) ⭐ 7.6 | Documentary, Biography, Crime

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