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Have a passion for making documentary films? Want to learn how to best lead a documentary life? Join award-winning commercial and documentary filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst, and special industry guests as they candidly share their filmmaking stories, insights, and experiences, for all to learn how to best lead and live their own documentary dream lives.
- 223 - All Good Things Must Come to An End
Can you believe that it was over four years ago that we first began producing episodes of The Documentary Life?? Well, neither can we.
But as they say, all good things must come to an end!
It has been a great ride this here podcast over the past four years!
Which is why this is not our typical end-of-the-season show, my #doclifer friend. Don't miss this one thinking that it's simply a re-hash of parts of past episodes. It is truly much more than that.
And finally, I'd like to say, thank you, old Friend. Thank you.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 02 Oct 2020 - 30min - 222 - Winning an Oscar for Your Documentary Film
Imagine stepping up to the podium to accept your award for Best Documentary Feature for the film that you have put your heart, soul, blood sweat tears into. What would you say? Who would thank? Where would you even start?
Well, Steven Bognar, of this year's American Factory knows precisely what this feels like. And he details the story of he and his partner, Julia Reichert's walk to that Oscar podium.
And he details a heckuva lot more about what it means to live the life of a documentary filmmaker in Dayton, OH, far from the neon lights of New York, London, or L.A. And what it means to make meaningful documentaries that impact a lot of people and win a lot of awards.
What it means to live and lead a documentary life.
Topics Discussed
host Chris G. Parkhurst gives some History 101 of documentaries and the Academy Awardswhy its beneficial to the world that documentary filmmakers make films from where they are athow American Factory came from turning down what was initially meant to be a corporate video for the Fuyao factoryplay-by-play of Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert's walk to the podium to accept their award for Best Documentary Featureunique sound approaches that were brought to American FactoryAdditional Resources
Trailer for American Factory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36QeKOJ2Fc
American Factory wins Best Documentary Feature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF4ytC3-M3g
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 18 Sep 2020 - 51min - 221 - Cinematography in Documentary Film
In the past, documentary cinematography has been in the shadow of narrative feature's, overlooked because of certain, perhaps unfair assumptions about the craft.
Well, that is no longer the case since the American Society of Cinematographers, as of this year, has an award for Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Filmmaking.
And cinematographers, Fejmi Daut and Samir Ljuma, of the Academy Award nominated, Honeyland, were the recipients of that inaugural award. (Not to mention a host of other cinematography awards!)
And so we have today's episode which is entirely dedicated to the craft of documentary cinematography!
Topics Discussed
host Chris G. Parkhurst talks about what makes a good documentary cinematographer and where we can find themwhat it's like working as a two person cinematography teamhow the shooting style changed dramatically midway into filming due to an unforeseen shift in storyworking without power in rural Macedoniaachieving the perpetual golden hour look of HoneylandAdditional Resources
FREE DOWNLOAD OF HONEYLAND CONVERSATION PART TWO
As mentioned in the show, there is much more to my conversation with cinematographers, Fejmi Daut and Samir Ljuma. Too much to put into a single show!
To listen to the second part of that conversation head overHEREfor your free download!
Trailer for Honeyland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27ORUHlp6E
Finding the star of Honeyland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj9mT91fe64
Honeyland at DOCNYC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJo1dvoo67k
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word
Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer!
So where can you do this?
THE D-WORD
WHAT IS THE D-WORD
The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!"
We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word.
The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.
Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar?
Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 04 Sep 2020 - 41min - 220 - Reality Television and the Documentary Filmmaker
It wasn't that long ago when reality television was a dirty word that incited some pretty strong feelings among the documentary filmmaking crowd. However, non fiction television has come a long way in the past few years.
Of course, don't take my word for it. Take it from fellow documentary filmmaker, Joe Litzinger, who is the executive producer of some of non fiction tv's most well known and respected (did I say respected?) shows.
Topics Discussed
host Chris G. Parkhurst talks about how documentary filmmakers can use their abilities to advantage in other avenues of productionwhy doc filmmakers are well suited for reality televisionhow one procures work in the reality tv industrythe advantages of shooting a documentary film over reality tvhow reality television supports Joe Litzinger's documentary lifeAdditional Resources
Trailer for Zulu Summer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-BcYvbbl-s
Trailer for Will Work for Views
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx2Nt1cYA0E
Behind the Scenes for Life Below Zero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTBmwAhCd4c&list=PLh_0X_RDOHqHuDMD3ft0cZ7gqlF6kHhsE&index=14
Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word
Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer!
So where can you do this?
THE D-WORD
WHAT IS THE D-WORD
The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!"
We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word.
The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.
Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar?
Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 21 Aug 2020 - 36min - 219 - Documentary Filmmaking During a Pandemic
Documentary filmmaking during this time of a pandemic is something that so many of us doc filmmakers are contemplating. Or doing. Or not doing.
Today's episode is filled with both a discussion on the ethics of documentary production during this time as well as best practices & safety protocol for those of us who are making our docs during this time.
Documentary filmmaker and TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst, delves into this discussion with IDA's Carrie Lozano and award-winning documentary filmmaking, Heidi Ewing.
Topics Discussed
Chris G. Parkhurst's tips for filming during this time of Covidthe whats, whys, hows of IDA's The Ethics of Documentary Production in a Pandemichow Carrie Lozano's background in both journalism and documentary filmmaker has made her uniquely positioned to discuss filming during this timewhy award-winning documentary filmmaker, Heidi Ewing has chosen to film during this timehow documentary filmmaking inherently is made up of a number of ethical decisionsEwing's best practices & safety protocol for doc filmmakersAdditional Resources
Read for yourself IDA's The Ethics of Documentary Production in a Pandemic
Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word
Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer!
So where can you do this?
THE D-WORD
WHAT IS THE D-WORD
The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!"
We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word.
The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.
Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar?
Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 07 Aug 2020 - 48min - 218 - Race in the Documentary Filmmaking Community
Questions of race and who has the right to tell another person's or culture's or race's stories have recently been at the forefront of the documentary community's collective consciousness.
More than that, it's been the subject of recent debate and discussion, whether in industry-led panels, major publications, or social media.
Documentary filmmaker and TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst, delves into this difficult, sometimes divisive discussion with two of documentary's own, Marjan Safinia and Grace Lee.
Topics Discussed
how Safinia and Lee came to collaborate on PBS' And She Could Be Nextoverlook at discussions of race in the documentary community over the past few monthswho has the right to tell a story and whyhow people of color in the American documentary industry can have less access and resources than their white counterpartsHow minorities are looking to reclaim and change the way that their stories are being toldAdditional Resources
Teaser, And She Could Be Next
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPgO1J-Y2DY
Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word
Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer!
So where can you do this?
THE D-WORD
WHAT IS THE D-WORD
The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!"
We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word.
The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.
Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar?
Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 24 Jul 2020 - 51min - 217 - The Online Film Festival for the Documentary Filmmaker
Lyndon Stone is the founder and festival director of Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. Melody Gilbert is a documentary filmmaker well acquainted with the world of film festivals.
In light of Covid events, both the festival director and filmmaker, have had to pivot their approaches to documentary film festivals.
This is the kind of discussion we documentary filmmakers have been wanting to have ever since the pandemic greatly impacted our doc lives.
Topics Discussed
how Lyndon Stone has incorporated a hybrid approach to this year's MDFFhow the virtual festival can actually be a good thing for both the festival director as well as the documentary filmmakerwhy doco Melody Gilbert was initially hesitant to premiere her documentary feature at MSPIFF whichhow an online film festival might actually be very advantageous to the independent documentary filmmakerAdditional Resources
Teaser forSilicone Soul
https://vimeo.com/350156250
Check out the full roster of this year's Melbourne Documentary Film Festival!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 10 Jul 2020 - 46min - 216 - Spirituality in Documentary Filmmaking with Mickey Lemle
Mickey Lemlehas made documentary films about some of the most brilliant individuals in the modern world.
From His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Ram Dass to Sir Laurens van der Post, Lemle has been rubbing shoulders with great minds who all have very spiritual & compassionate ways of living. Lemle has had the splendid fortune to be able to tell their stories.
Topics Discussed
how Lemle’s time in Nepal in the Peace Corps informed him about Tibet and in turn led to his making his first documentary filmhow/why he treats doc filmmaking as personal explorationhow to make one’s spiritual documentary accessible to a wider audiencethe power of a meditation practice to doc filmmakerstips for interviewing the most incredible minds of the worldAdditional Resources
Teaser forThe Last Dalai Lama?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_Rpg_36ig
Teaser forCompassion in Exile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDXbAPx2kew
To check out Mickey Lemle's full roster ofDOCUMENTARY FILMS.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 26 Jun 2020 - 47min - 215 - Personal Trauma in Documentary Film with Sasha Joseph Neulinger
Sasha Joseph Neulinger endured some of the most traumatic events a child can experience. He is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. And he has now turned those events into one of 2020's more extraordinary documentary films, Rewind.
Neulinger sits down with TDL to discuss his journey making Rewind and to offer some insight into how doc filmmakers might best deal with the depiction of personal trauma in their films.
In our first segment, Chris G. Parkhurst, gives us 5 Tips for Making the Personal Documentary.
Topics Discussed
tips for making your personal documentary filmwhy Neulinger set out to face his own demons by making this documentary filmwhy making the personal documentary needs to be more for yourself than othersapproaching family members with your personal docthe journey of financing a film like RewindAdditional Resources
Teaser forRewind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx0q7ETJRAI
The D-Word
Hey, #Doclifers! By now, you have probably heard the news that we are partners with The D-Word! If you are not already a member of this important online documentary community and resource, allow us to introduce you to them!
WHAT IS THE D-WORD
The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!"
We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word.
The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.
Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar?
Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 12 Jun 2020 - 48min - 214 - Doc Filmmaking in the Mountains with Eric Becker
Eric Becker has been taking on extreme challenges since he can remember. If it's not racing bikes it's climbing mountains. If it's not climbing mountains, it's making doc films about people climbing mountains.
Tune into this week's episode where we celebrate International Everest Day by welcoming doc filmmaker and mountaineer, Eric Becker on to TDL!
In our first segment, Chris G. Parkhurst, gives us Reasons for Working on Multiple Documentary Projects at the same time!
Topics Discussed
Reasons to work on multiple doc projects at the same timeHow doc filmmaker Eric Beckergot hooked into documentary as a way to travel the worldLogistics of filming an actual mountaineering expeditionHow to get brand support for your doc filmsHow to work with an otherwise reticent doc subjectAdditional Resources
Teaser forReturn to Mt. Kennedy
https://vimeo.com/268848753
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 29 May 2020 - 39min - 213 - YouTube For the Documentary Filmmaker with David Hoffman
It's hard to refute the power and potential of the second biggest search engine in the world, YouTube. Especially for the independent doc filmmaker.
Here at TDL we have long talked about the importance of you, the doc filmmaker, in fully embracing and becoming your best entrepreneurial self. The importance of building your own brand. Raising your own funding. Building audiences for all of your work. Selling yourself and your work. YouTube is a great platform for you to be doing this.
In our first segment, Chris G. Parkhurst, gives us 5 Tips For Becoming a Documentary Filmmaking Entrepreneur.
This segment is followed by a discussion with one of the champions of YouTube for the doc filmmaker, David Hoffman, a doc filmmaking veteran of the industry for over 50+ years, who is now making his living via YT!
Topics Discussed
how 50+ year doc filmmaking veteran, David Hoffman, came to embrace YouTubehow much Hoffman makes per day with YouTubehow YouTube is changing the landscape of documentary filmmakingwhy doc filmmakers need to also embrace the power of the platformbest practices for your YouTube channelAdditional Resources
From David Hoffman to Each of My Subscribers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6iESFlwWlc
What Happens When You Lose Everything, David Hoffman on TEDTalks
Nine days before TED2008, filmmaker David Hoffman lost almost everything he owned in a fire that destroyed his home, office and 30 years of passionate collecting. He looks back at a life that's been wiped clean in an instant -- and looks forward.
https://www.ted.com/talks/david_hoffman_what_happens_when_you_lose_everything?language=en
Why You Should Support David Hoffman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=uJWZWrrF8sQ&feature=emb_logo
Check out David'sPATREON PAGEto help support him!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 15 May 2020 - 54min - 212 - Making the Sports Documentary with Gotham Chopra
Sports documentaries have really come into their own as a documentary genre. The truth is that the built-in drama and sometimes off-the-field shenanigans make for some really compelling stories.Entities like ESPN's 30 For 30 series, HBO Sports, Netflix and Hulu's ventures into sports docuseries, all have been making these films and really elevating the stature of the sports documentary.
And so has filmmaker, Gotham Chopra. With his business venture, Religion of Sports, Gotham has been embracing the sports documentary in a way that has really been separating himself from the pack.
And we were fortunate enough to be able to sit down with Gotham and have a one-on-one chat about why sports docs are so popular and best practices for the doc filmmaker to be making them!
Topics Discussed
how Gotham Chopra came to documentary via early journalism assignmentsHow ESPN’s 30 for 30 series legitimized sports as documentary subjectWhy sports makes for such compelling storiesHow to gain access to higher profile sports personalitiesThe importance of separating your project from all of the types of content that are already out thereAdditional Resources
Watch the Religion of Sports' The Great Brady Heist in its entirety!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I29ZMIOZwX0
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 01 May 2020 - 43min - 211 - Documentary Film and the Music Composer with Nainita Desai
When it comes to documentary film - and really film, in general - one of the forgotten heroes is often the film's music composer.And yet, it's often the music that truly elevates a film from good to greatness, making the storyline and all of its visuals just a bit more rich, complex, and emotional.
In today's episode I'll take a look at 5 Considerations for Music for Your Doc.
This will be followed by a deep dive discussion with world-renowned film composer, Nainita Desai, the multi-award winning and internationally recognized composer of 2019 Academy Award nominee, For Sama.
Topics Discussed
five considerations for music for your documentaryhow a background in both sound and film brought Nainita Desai to composing for filmhow she immerses herself in the material of a doc project that she will be scoringbest practices for the doc director to approach their working relationship with a music composerAdditional Resources
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 17 Apr 2020 - 40min - 210 - Mental Health and the Documentary Filmmaker with Rebecca Day
We doc filmmakers are no strangers to mental health.Whether by the very nature of being doc filmmakers or from the subjects of our documentaries, we're often dealing with levels of anxiety, stress, and/or depression on a daily basis.
Still it's not something that we often openly talk about. That is, not until recently, as more and more doc filmmakers and more and more documentary organisations are having open and honest discussions about the topic of mental health as it related to independent documentary filmmakers.
And our guest, documentary filmmaker and psychotherapist, Rebecca Day (Film in Mind) is often leading these discussions!
Enjoy today's episode as both Rebecca and I delve into this immensely important topic that may, in fact, be more relevant now than ever!
Topics Discussed
ways in which our host has dealt with bouts of mental illnesshow doc filmmaking brought Rebecca Day to psychotherapysustainability for the doc filmmaker is not only financial, but emotionalhow to immerse yourself in your subject but also protect yourselfhow we doc filmmakers can be dealing with the added stress & anxiety of the coronavirusAdditional Resources
The following resources come from Rebecca Day's Film in Mind site.
"The documentary career is as demanding and taxing as it is rewarding. On the one hand, there are the occasional honours, accolades, fellowships and grants, along with the impetus that your work can make a transformative difference in both moving the art form forward and making substantive social change. But the documentary profession is a long-odds game, one often fraught with disappointment and struggle."
In collaboration with IDA and D-Word, Rebecca discussed this topic with the documentary community.Here is a reflection on what took place.
"There is an incredible surge of supportive conversations, and the creation of an online community within our own sector, in ways that we haven't witnessed before."
BFI Network - How to manage your mental health as a filmmaker during coronavirus
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Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
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Fri, 03 Apr 2020 - 44min - 209 - Finding Yingying with Jiayan Shi
When it comes to being affected by the coronavirus, we doc filmmakers, of course, are no exception. Whether we work in tv broadcasting, run video productions, or are freelancers, we are all feeling the impact of the massive shutdowns happening due to Covid-19.
So in today's episode I'd like to offer up some ways in which we might all stay positive and stay focused on our documentary projects and on a bigger scale, our documentary lives, which have already been significantly affected by recent events so much.
Jiayan 'Jenny' Shi, is a first time doc filmmaker who has been directly affected by these recent events, as her first documentary film, the extraordinary, Finding Yingying was set to premiere at this year's SXSW, only to lose its premiere once that festival closed its doors due to Covid-19.
This candid conversation about coronavirus and her time spent filming the tragic events of Finding Yingying is a conversation that I'll remember for quite some time. I think that you will to.
Topics Discussed
ways in which we all can stay focused on our documentary liveshow a first-time doc filmmaker came upon the tragic story that would change a family's lives as well as her own lifethe cultural differences involved in filming in two completely different culturesthe delicate balance between a grieving family subjects and the doc filmmakerhow the closing of SXSW is changing the whole distribution and film festival plan for her filmAdditional Resources
Please check out all that Kartemquin has to offer by going HERE.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 20 Mar 2020 - 49min - 208 - Fire in Paradise with Drea Cooper
One of the most compelling, intense, and well done documentaries that I saw in all of 2019 wasn't even a feature length film. In fact, its run time was only 39 minutes.
But it was 39 mins of riveting documentary that was financed and distributed by Netflix, and it came from ZCDC's Zachary Canepari and Drea Cooper. And Cooper sat down to discuss with us, among other things, what it was like working on this incredible. film.
And speaking of run time, in our opening segment, I discuss how to decide what the proper length for your doc films might be. And how, in fact, we may be doing a disservice to our stories, by trying to adhere to a set of arbitrary time lengths.
Topics Discussed
how Cooper & Canepari came to the decision to make this a 39 min filmhow Netflix fully supported their film change of plans to pivot to this storyhow & why the usage of people’s phone footage became a powerful storytelling deviceDrea Cooper’s recommendsfor covering a catastrophic event on filmAdditional Resources
Trailer for Fire in Paradise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KNAl23NwME&t=8s
Trailer for Netflix's Flint Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfNURrdgWTU
And if you haven't already done so, you can LISTEN to our episode that we did with ZCDC's producer, Gary Kout!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Music Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!
Music Vine
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different.
Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!!
PROMO CODE: doclife15
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 06 Mar 2020 - 42min - 207 - Documentary Film Promotions & Marketing with Jon Reiss
The playing field for distribution, promotions, and marketing for independent documentary filmmakers seems to be changing daily. But one thing that remains, is Jon Reiss, the veritable guru on all things film distro, promotions, and marketing. And for this week's episode he weighs in on this latest, including how social media marketing and ad placements are becoming a very important part of the doc filmmaker's toolkit.
And for my segment, I delve into 5 Tips for Getting Your Documentary Into a Festival!
5 Tips for Getting Your Documentary Into a Festival
- Give a good hookGet great soundEnter fests earlyEvoke emotionUse Film Freeway
Topics Discussed
the importance of giving great thought to your potential audience before filmingpartnerships and how they benefit the doc filmmakerhow social media plays an integral role in marketing for your docad social media over organic social mediaunderstanding how your audience gets their informationSponsors & Thank Yous
ATHOS Insurance Services
Make sure you and your film gear are protected!
Over the years, so many of you #doclifers have asked us about best ways to insure your yourself, your shoots, and your precious film gear. And Aylene and Kat of ATHOS Insurance Services are experts on the subject. Get an INSTANT QUOTE today.
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 21 Feb 2020 - 40min - 206 - First Time Doc Filmmaker Wins the Stanley Cup, with Joshua Riehl
Joshua Riehl was a first time doc filmmaker when he decided to make a film about his passion for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. So how exactly did he manage to pull this feat off, including getting actor Jeff Daniels and some of the world's most recognizable names in hockey to agree to be in his film? Trust me. I wanted to know the same!
Topics Discussed
how having audacity to believe in yourself is half the battlehow sending handwritten letters to key personnel scored him the critical first meetingmoved his location to a place where he most likely could raise financinghow he ultimately found the one person who believe in his project and financed the entire filmwhat it was like working with an animation team in UkraineAdditional Resources
Trailer for The Russian Five
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X74BexWy4iw
Sponsors & Thank Yous
ATHOS Insurance Services
Make sure you and your film gear are protected!
Over the years, so many of you #doclifers have asked us about best ways to insure your yourself, your shoots, and your precious film gear. And Aylene and Kat of ATHOS Insurance Services are experts on the subject. Get an INSTANT QUOTE today.
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 07 Feb 2020 - 38min - 205 - Film Travel Tips and Gear Insurance
Are you thinking of traveling for your doc any time soon? Awesome. You know how much we love to travel for our doc filmmaking. And Chris has got some super useful tips for your doc filmmaking travel adventures!
And whether you're traveling abroad or just down the street for your next bit of filming, make sure you and your film gear are protected!Over the years, so many of you #doclifers have asked us about best ways to insure your yourself, your shoots, and your precious film gear. And Aylene and Kat of ATHOS Insurance Services are experts on the subject. This is the episode to listen to ensure (and insure!) that you and your film investments are properly protected!
Topics Discussed
hot tips for doc filmmaking travelwhy the independent doc filmmaker even with limited funds should still seek insurance coverage for their gearwhat the process of making a claim iscommon mistakes made when seeking gear insuranceset, shoot, and gear insurance coveragepolicies for doc filmmaking abroadAdditional Resources
Five Tips for Solo Filmmaking Travel
book smart flights, not cheap flightsfly with your camerapack sustenance and vit Cpack change of clothingtaxi or rideshareEssential Travel Doc Filmmaking Gear List
In today's episode, we mentioned our Essential Travel Doc Filmmaking Gear List blog post, which you can find HERE.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 24 Jan 2020 - 43min - 204 - Your Breakthrough Year and #Doclifer, Josh Davidsburg
Shouldn't you be making 2020 your breakthrough year in documentary filmmaking? We all know how difficult, sometimes frustrating, it can be getting our doc films made. And how trying it can be living our doc lives. No one knows this better than I. Which is why in this episode I have decided to challenge you (and I!) to make 2020 a breakthrough year in our doc lives.
And speaking of breakthroughs, for the first time on this programme, we host a full documentary discussion with a true blue #doclifer. Josh Davidsburg has been listening to us since the beginning. And in that span of time, he not only created his first documentary film, but that film, Queen of the Capital, is set to screen this month at the Slamdance Film Festival!
Topics Discussed
making 2020 our breakthrough year as documentary filmmakershow Josh Davidsburg went from listener of the program to an award-winning documentary filmmakerhow Davidsburg leads his doclife by teaching at a university and making doc films during his time offthe importance of thinking about your film's audience from the outsetthe importance of having a good understanding of Fair Use when using musical performanceshow TDL helped Davidsburg with his doc film and doc lifeAdditional Resources
Watch an extended trailer for Queen of the Capital
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7G128nlbzA
The Workshops
Did you know that we now have workshops? Check out our full roster and reserve your seat today!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 10 Jan 2020 - 43min - 203 - Season Two TDL BONUS!Welcome to your Season Two BONUS episode! In which you'll find selections from five of some of my favorite conversations that I've had with documentary filmmakers over the past 120 episodes of the show. Below, you can click on the full episodes to listen to the conversations in their entirety. Have a safe, happy holidays and we'll see you in 2020, #doclifer! Additional Resources Steve James conversation Margaret Byrne conversation Maclain & Chapman Way conversation Pedram Shojai conversation Irene Taylor Brodsky conversation
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°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!Subscribe
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If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!Fri, 27 Dec 2019 - 35min - 202 - Documenting Your Family with Irene Taylor Brodsky
Filming the ones that we love and making documentaries about them can be a challenging, but ultimately very rewarding experience. It can be full of emotional pitfalls. It can bring families closer together .And no one knows this better than Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning director, Irene Taylor Brodsky.
We'll speak with Irene on the eve of the release of her latest HBO Documentaries film, Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements.
Topics Discussed
the profound nature of using documentary as a form of cultural currencyhow documentary filmmakers are often viewed as altruistic people, but we may be telling these stories for our own self-interestmaking doc films with your family as main subjectsthe importance of making the audience the hero of your storyAdditional Resources
Watch a trailer for Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBV43REbk-g
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 13 Dec 2019 - 43min - 201 - Editing For Documentary Filmmakers with Paddy Bird
One of the most popular topics on The Documentary Life deals with post production. More specifically, editing your documentary film. And not surprisingly one of the most popular guests on the program is industry expert, Paddy Bird. Because of this we've decided to make this week's episode an extra special one devoted to... you guessed it, editing.
I'll begin the show with Tips on Getting Started on Editing Your Doc and then we'll have another great editing conversation with Paddy!
Topics Discussed
tips for getting beyond overwhelm and just getting started editing on your docthe importance of workflow and tips for a good workflowconversations to have with the decision-makers before starting on an edittips for the one-man band person editing their own filmhow editing makes you a better overall filmmakerAdditional Resources
Watch Inside the Edit's amazing video on what the Editor does
https://vimeo.com/90125079
PROMO CODE!
TDL listeners, use the following Promo Code for an exclusive discount when signing up for Inside the Edit:
BFDOCO19
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 29 Nov 2019 - 46min - 200 - Filming Behind Bars with Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein
Two veterans of Ken Burns films,Lynn NovickandSarah Botstein, have recently completed work on their documentary film, four-part PBS series,College Behind Bars. And I had the pleasure of speaking with the both of them about some of their experiences working on Ken Burns’ films as well as what it was like going off on their own for their most recent work.
Topics Discussed
how teaching classes in prison inspired Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein to make College Behind BarsNovick and Botstein detail the logistics of making a documentary film in a prisonhow working with Ken Burns over the years informed their whittling down of 400 hours of verite footage into four hours of a seriesNovick and Botstein discuss how we, as doc filmmakers, experience profound change in our lives making our films and working with our subjectsAdditional Resources
Watch the extended trailer for, College Behind Bars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ec3QpnaiU
Watch an extended look, The Vietnam War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j-3Xi5BcKs
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Thu, 14 Nov 2019 - 35min - 199 - How to Raise $8k Quickly and Bring Scriptwriting Principles to Your Documentary Film
How can you raise a quick $8k in 18 days for your documentary film? Steph and I recently did this on our doc project, Elvis of Cambodia. We’d like to share a few things that worked well and one thing that we wished we’d done!
How can you bring feature narrative scriptwriting principles to my documentary film? World-renowned documentary storytelling consultant, Karen Everett, of New Doc Editing, has some great ideas on this!
Topics Discussed
tips for quickly raising $8k for your documentary filmhow & why the three-act story structure can work for your documentary filmthe importance of discovering your protagonist and their needtips for accelerating the post production schedule for your documentarywhy you should seriously consider a story consultant in both pre and post productionAdditional Resources
Watch a documentary editing seminar led by New Doc Editing’s, Karen Everett
NEW DOC EDITING
To get a better understanding of how a story consultant can help your doc project, head on over to New Doc Editing and discover all that Karen has to offer you!
FREE DOCUMENTARY EDITING BOOK
Download a free copy of Karen Everett’s book on Documentary Editing.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 01 Nov 2019 - 59min - 198 - Sculpture, Breast Cancer, and Documentary Film with Prune Nourry
How does one combine the expanse of one’s artistic works and their personal journey with breast cancer into their first documentary film? This is what was on my mind as I spoke with French sculptor, installation artist, anthropologist, cancer survivor and now documentary filmmaker, Prune Nourry.
Topics Discussed
how Prune Nourry brought her approach to sculpting to doc filmmakinghow when she was in the middle of filming another project decided to turn the camera on herself when she was diagnosed with breast cancerhow having the camera in her hand helped Prune Nourry to be more proactive with her treatmentsNourry’s desire to have her film used as a tool for medical practitioners and breast cancer patients around the worldhow Prune Nourry decided to make this film much more about the human & personal aspects of breast cancer, rather than the medical aspectsAdditional Resources
Trailer of Prune Nourry Documentary Film, Serendipity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjmmoVbXoRg
Video, Anima
https://vimeo.com/160991344
Video, Imbalance
https://vimeo.com/110102995
More PRUNE NOURRY
To view more of Prune Nourry and her work or to find a nearby screening of Serendipity you can visit her WEBSITE.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 18 Oct 2019 - 43min - 197 - Email Marketing for the Documentary Filmmaker
What if there was a viable way for the independent documentary filmmaker to build and sustain an audience to support your doc films for the duration of your career? And what if there was a straight forward way that you, the doc filmmaker, could do it without having to break the bank on marketing and promotion costs for your films?
Meet Nathan Barry, self-made entrepreneur, doc filmmaker, and founder & CEO of ConvertKit, one of the most used email marketing services by creatives around the world. It is both Nathan’s belief and his passion that email marketing can be one of the most effective means for garnering and keeping fans for your doc films for many years to come. And he’s on today’s show to tell you why he believes this to be the case and how you, #doclifer, can best use email marketing for your doc filmmaking endeavours!
Topics Discussed
why and how email marketing can and should be a critical part of the doc filmmaker’s lifetips for the doc filmmaker to build out their email listtips for an effective email marketing campaign for the doc filmmakerhow automation in your email marketing can keep things interesting and fresh as you garner new subscribers and market to certain audiences for your filmhow email allows a doc filmmaker to have an audience for their doc filmsAdditional Resources
A clip from Nathan Barry’s documentary, I Am a Blogger
I AM A BLOGGER, DOC SERIES
To view the entire doc series, #doclifers can go to, I Am a Blogger.
I AM A BLOGGER, THE BOOK
As a thank you to listeners of the show, you can get a free copy of the I Am a Blogger book! To download or read the book, simply GO HERE.
CONVERTKIT AND SPECIAL 30 DAY FREE OFFER FOR #DOCLIFERS
View a demo to find out if ConvertKit might be the sensible fit for your doc filmmaking email marketing needs
Think you might be ready for some serious audience building & engagement? To get serious about a sustainable way to live the life of a doc filmmaker and make films that a ready-made audience will be eager to see? Then email marketing may be just the thing for you! Try CONVERTKIT today!
And for listeners of the show, ConvertKit has offered a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL (normally it’s 14 days). Personally, I can’t say enough about the effectiveness of a proper email marketing solution for independent doc filmmakers.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Thu, 03 Oct 2019 - 38min - 196 - Documentary Filmmaking Abroad with Edward Watts & Waad Al-Kateab
If you were subjected to daily bombardment from the air, you were entrenched in a make-shift hospital, and you’d just recently had a baby, would you still be able to pick up your camera and film events? Well, if you’re Syrian doc filmmaker, Waad Al-Kateab, you would. And she did, while living in the basement of a hospital, with her husband and baby in the besieged city of Aleppo.
Eventually, she would be forced to leave her homeland behind, and headed to England to meet up with fellow conflict zone filmmaker, Edward Watts. The two poured over her twelve hard drives of footage, and the resulting documentary film – quite possibly the most talked about documentary of 2019 – For Sama, was made.
And speaking of documentary filmmaking abroad, not surprisingly, our resident doc filmmaker and podcast host, has a few things to say on the subject as well! Whether you are on your own or with your family, there are going to be a number of important items that you must consider before documentary filmmaking overseas. In our first segment, Chris draws from his own experiences documentary filmmaking abroad and comes up with 5 Tips for Doc Filmmaking Abroad with Your Family.
Topics Discussed
filmmaking while under siegefilmmaker, Waad Al-Kateab’s conscious decision to bring her own thoughts & emotions to her filmmaking process and to her filmhow Al-Kateab risked her life to transport 12 hard drives out of Syria to meet up with fellow doc filmmaker, Edward WattsWatts’ belief that sometimes the filmmaker must choose a subjective approach in their docs when it’s for the benefit of humanitytips for documentary filmmaking abroad with Chris G. ParkhurstAdditional Resources
FOR SAMA TRAILER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsvBqtg2RM0
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Wed, 18 Sep 2019 - 46min - 195 - The Fundraising Houseparty For the Documentary Filmmaker
What if there was a pretty straightforward way for the independent documentary filmmaker to raise a quick infusion of funding for their documentary film… simply by holding a party?Well, there is. It’s called the fundraising houseparty. And there is a science to it. And we’ve got film fundraising guru, Morrie Warshawski, back on the show to give you the step-by-step process to that science. You’ll be holding parties and raising monies for your film in no time!
And then we’ll learn how to make even more money, when our host, delves into this recent Cambodia trip to garner finishing funds for his own doc project, Elvis of Cambodia. Following on from last week’s episode, where Chris and Steph discussed their plans in Cambodia for finishing their film, Chris travels down to the capital city of Phnom Penh and starts banging on doors. And asking for money. Doc Filmmaking Fundraising 101 ensues.
Topics Discussed
why individual donors tend to make up the largest percentage of funds for doc filmsthe importance of the fundraising houseparty invite and tips for producing itthe types of people that you should invite to your fundraising housepartystep-by-step process for the day of the fundraising housepartythe doc filmmakers responsibilities for the fundraising housepartyAdditional Resources
THE BOOK
Think you might be ready to hold that fundraising houseparty and make some serious money for your doc film? There are two ways in which you can purchase Morrie’s book. You can buy from Amazon.
Or an even cooler way is to purchasedirectlyfrom Morrie himself. Tell Morrie you heard about the book from The Documentary Life and he’ll give you an additional $5 off the price of the book!
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Thu, 05 Sep 2019 - 51min - 194 - Lean Team Documentary Filmmaking with Rustin Thompson
Ever noticed just how many barriers there seem to be to this documentary filmmaking thing? Funding. Equipment. Live pitch presentations. Distribution platforms. You name it, everywhere you turn as a doc filmmaker, there seems to be something keeping you from actually doing the thing that matters most to you. But what if there was a way doc filmmakers could simplify things – strip away the unnecessary fat – and get to what really matters? Making documentary films. And then making more of them.
Well, long time national television news veteran,Rustin Thompsonfigured out a very viable way to do just that when he came up with what he calls Lean Team Documentary Filmmaking. In the process, he left the tv news industry behind and followed his passions to the land of documentary. And he has been making the kinds of documentary films he’s always wanted to make ever since. And now he’s going to tell you how you can do the same.
Topics Discussed
why and how Rustin Thompson left his lucrative, exciting television news career behind for a self-made career in documentary filmmakinghow a Lean Team Documentary Filmmaking approach can lead to a liberating way to make your docs and more of themthe importance of understanding the essential technical aspects, but also how to inform your documentary on an emotional level as wellLean Team Documentary Filmmaking sound tipsLean Team Documentary Filmmaking editing tipsAdditional Resources
GET CLOSE: LEAN TEAM DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKINGTHE BOOK
After listening to our discussion, you might want to read Rustin’s book. I don’t blame you. After reading it myself, seeing some of Rustin’s films, and of course, having had a great conversation with Rustin, we have put this book right into our Essential Doc Filmmaking Reading List!
You can find it on Amazon or local bookstore or request it from your local library!
Trailer for Rustin Thompson’s latest documentary, My Mother Was Here
https://vimeo.com/254023296
RUSTIN THOMPSONTHE FILMS
If you’re interested in checking out some of Rustin’s many documentary films, please visit his website!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Thu, 22 Aug 2019 - 53min - 193 - The Doc Filmmaker’s Money Mindset & Blue Collar Filmmaking
So many of us doc filmmakers think that we’ll never make any money from our films. Or that we’re incapable of raising money for them. And that’s wrong. There is actually no reason that any of us should assume that those statements are true. This is all about our money mindset!
You see, a lot of us aren’t really wired to believe any other way. Or we’ve had an awkward – if not downright detrimental – relationship with money that most likely goes back from when we were quite young, when maybe our parents or peers were (perhaps quite unknowingly!) putting negative connotations on money. Our money mindset was developed at an early age.
It is my belief and experience that we can and should develop and re-shape our money mindset, so that we may raise the required funding for our films, and in fact, make some money from our films. Or at the very least, be paid for the hard work that we put into them!
This is followed by our conversation with true blue (collar) doc filmmaker, V. Scott Balcerek. Someone who quite literally put his money where his mouth was. And he spent over twenty years of his life doing it, with the astounding release, Satan & Adam.
Topics Discussed
why and how as doc filmmakers we need to form better money mindsetsunderstanding what your inner dialogue is telling you about money and making filmsV. Scott Balcerek shares tips on how he stayed in the game on his doc for over 20+ yearshow Balcerek rolled the dice on this film one last time when it seemed all might be lost with his main character and his storyhow coming from a blue collar upbringing shaped his desires and perseverance to see a film like Satan & Adam throughAdditional Resources
Trailer for V. Scott Balcerek’s directorial debut, Satan & Adam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xShEK6bKTfo
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Thu, 08 Aug 2019 - 51min - 192 - Melbourne Documentary and Chasing the Jet Stream
So many doc filmmakers are doing the one person crew documentary. For many, it’s a necessary evil due to financial constraints of the doc filmmaker. But for some, like docoClaudio von Planta, it’s the preferred way of shooting his films. And it also just so happens to be the reason that he’s been hired on such recognizable documentary series as the successful Long Way Round. And now, with his brand new film, Chasing the Jet Stream – a film that is included in the lineup of this year’s Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF) – Claudio is back dealing with the type of documentary that he is most comfortable with: a story about a unique character doing unique things in the world.
Topics Discussed
we check in with MDFF director, Lyndon Stone, whose festival has now become one of the most respected in documentaryhow in 1985 on a break from university, Claudio von Planta, discovers his passion for doc filmmakinghow being a skilled one person crew got Claudio von Planta his big break with the Long Way Round seriesthe reason von Planta finds it important to create totally independent documentarieshow the doc filmmaker is a different breed and one that must be entirely passionate and dedicated to their craftAdditional Resources
Trailer for DP, Claudio von Planta’s directorial debut, Chasing the Jet Stream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3mKebPj3d0
Trailer for Long Way Round series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-0uBcnmE2M
Actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman give great testimonial to working with Claudio von Planta
https://vimeo.com/2564055
Even More Claudio von Planta!
I highly recommend checking out Claudio’s Vimeo channel. It’s chock full o’ films and clips from his incredibly impressive career as a doc filmmaker!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Thu, 25 Jul 2019 - 54min - 191 - Make Great Documentaries From Where You Are with Billy Corben
How many times have you been approached by a friend or family member with another “great idea for a documentary”, when they find out that you’re a doc filmmaker? Well, if you’re anything like Miami doc filmmaker, Billy Corben – director behind such docs as Cocaine Cowboys, ESPN 30 for 30’s The U, and now his latest, Screwball – it’s practically an everyday experience. Which is why he’s come up with a great three step for sussing out the viability of said great idea for a doc.
Topics Discussed
how screenwriting classes were the best filmmaking classes for all aspects of filmmaking, including editing, shooting, and directingBilly Corben’s three-step process called R.A.S. for determining viability of a potential doc projecthow a bogus and manipulative meeting with baseball great, Alex Rodriguez, resulted in their latest doc, ScrewballBilly Corben’s Hustling 101 for the independent doc filmmakerthe conscious decision to make movies and tell the unique stories of their hometown, Miami, FloridaAdditional Resources
Trailer for Screwball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJUhgT65r8M
Chris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
In Part Nine, the last of our nine part series, Chris, discusses the importance of making partnerships and strategic relationships should be a significant part of your documentary filmmaking.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 12 Jul 2019 - 50min - 190 - Maiden and Archival Storytelling with Alex Holmes
Ever wonder what it might be like to discover a treasure trove of archival footage that lay untouched for over thirty years for your documentary film? That’s exactly what happened for veteran BBC and multi-award winning filmmaker, Alex Holmes on his latest film, Maiden, a documentary about 26 year old Tracy Edwards who set out to skipper the first-ever female crew during the Whitbread Round the World Race, a race that spans 33k miles and lasts for nine months.
Topics Discussed
how finding this boat load of archival footage allowed Alex Holmes to tell his doc in an exciting narrative, nearly real-time fashionAlex Holmes gives his four elements for funding for documentariesdetails the search for archival, how to edit with it for free, and license afterwardshow all doc filmmakers actually experience imposter syndromehow the first step in leading a documentary life is the hardest and most essential stepAdditional Resources
Trailer for Maiden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SGpb6K9C5s
Chris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
Cambodian Singer, Sinn Sethsochhata
In Part Eight, Chris, discusses one of his final and most difficult of interviews with the granddaughter of famous Cambodian singer, Sinn Sisamouth. This segment takes a look at not only how important the interview is for the doc filmmaker, but how often, important relationships are built during with our subjects during these interviews.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 28 Jun 2019 - 46min - 189 - Meta Filmmaking and Framing John DeLorean
When filmmakers Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce met, it was a match in doc filmmaking heaven. Their first documentary film, The Art of the Steal, was a Netflix hit that would lead them to their next doc projects, and ultimately to their lives as full-time documentary filmmakers. Their current film, Framing John DeLorean, blurs the lines between fiction and non-fiction narrative, using name actors like Alec Baldwin and Josh Charles, meta filmmaking, and incorporating actual behind-the-scenes footage as a significant storytelling device.
Topics Discussed
Lessening the lag time between your doc film projectsHow meta filmmaking and using behind-the-scenes footage became an impactful storytelling device for Framing John DeLoreanWhere the blurred lines between fiction and non-fiction meet and when not to cross those linesBy nature living the doc life is an unsure, uncertain business that you have to be okay with in order to live itAdditional Resources
Trailer for Framing John DeLorean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIa1gn9wVNo
Chris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
In Part Seven, Chris, along with trusted friend and fixer/translator, Phon Kaseka, rides elephants in Mondulkiri province and commences filming in Kampong Thma province. This segments delves into the all-important relationship between doc filmmaker and fixer/translator.
How to Film a Drummer on a Cambodian Road
#Doclifer Stories
Where we share our listeners #doclives and filmmaking stories. This week’s #Doclifer Story, comes from Hasan Demirtas, who shares with us his journey to and through his first feature doc, You Name It, a film that explores three of the world’s prominent genocides.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 14 Jun 2019 - 53min - 188 - Making a Documentary Series in China with Dominic Johnson-Hill
Entrepreneur,Dominic Johnson-Hill, has just spent the last year traveling China and presenting for the documentary series,Seasons of China. But the journey to becoming one of China’s most recognizable tv presenters was a unique one, and certainly not without its challenges.
When Dominic Johnson-Hill traveled the world in the early 90s, China was just supposed to be a stop along the way. But then he ran out of money. So he learned the language, started a market research business, then Beijing’s first t-shirt brand, Plastered. Since then, Johnson-Hill, has become a celebrity in China and is now the host of the 24-episode documentary series, Seasons of China.
Topics Discussed
how the seeds of entrepreneurship were sown when Dominic Johnson-Hill went broke in the middle of Beijinghow often it is an artist or entrepreneur’s passion that can bring others onboard a projectwhat it was like for Dominic Johnson-Hill to spend a year out in the provinces of China, filming on the Seasons of China seriesthe filmmaker’s awareness of documenting parts of culture that may someday no longer existwhy it’s important for the doc filmmaker to find different ways in which to connect with their interview subjects and how they can best do soAdditional Seasons of China Resources
Episode one of, Seasons of China, the 24-episode series presented by Dominic Johnson-Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QvDyCi7hE&t=7s
An interview with Seasons of Change presenter, Dominic Johnson-Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5ddw0iO-WM
Chris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
In Part Six, Chris and Patrick travel to Siem Reap to film the first of three very important Sinn Sisamouth scenes. It is in Siem Reap, a town most noted for the famous temples of Angkor Wat, that Chris finds a local artist whom they can film depicting a Sinn Sisamouth song. And it is here, that they will first employ Chris’ carefully constructed plan to shoot the b-roll in a unique way that best tells the story of the scene.
Related Videos From the Set of Elvis of Cambodia
Behind the Scenes with Our Siem Reap Painter
Filming Sinn Sisamouth’s Champey Siem Reap
#Doclifer Stories
Where we share our listeners #doclives and filmmaking stories. This week’s #Doclifer Story, comes from Hasan Demirtas, who shares with us his journey to and through his first feature doc, You Name It, a film that explores three of the world’s prominent genocides.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 31 May 2019 - 41min - 187 - Doug Block and The D-Word
Doug Block has made a living out of the personal documentary style, including films like Home Page, 51 Birch Street, and The Kids Grow Up. He is also the pioneer behind one of the largest online documentary filmmaking communities, The D-word, which has just recently had its twentieth anniversary.
Topics Discussed
how the one-person crew is tailor-made for documentarythe importance of being in service of story over technical filmmaking achievementshow Doug Block never intended to champion the personal documentary stylethe D-word having its 20th anniversary came from Doug Block’s first documentaryhow because most doc filmmakers don’t make their entire living doing docs, process becomes a very important aspectAdditional Doug Block Resources
Film Trailer for Doug Block’s, Home Page
https://vimeo.com/312993406
Film Trailer for Doug Block’s, 51 Birch Street
https://vimeo.com/15608076
Chris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
In Part Five, Chris gets violently ill in Cambodia. But his forever trustworthy traveling and filmmaking companion, Patrick, comes to the rescue. A few years later, Chris is able to return the favor. Emergency on-the-fly car driving lessons and other zaniness ensues, as we learn the value of people that you can truly trust when filming in developing countries.
Related Videos From the Set of Elvis of Cambodia
Papaya Salad and “Dirty Water”
Having Some Fun While Filming Chinese New Year in Kampot
#Doclifer Stories
Where we share our listeners #doclives and filmmaking stories. This week’s #Doclifer Story, comes from Scott Link, a name well-known in the TDL Community facebook group. Scott has recently finished his first documentary feature, If My Judges Are Ready? and shares with us some of his trials & tribulations.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 24 May 2019 - 52min - 186 - Crowdfunding Your Documentary Film with John Trigonis
Few people know the crowdfunding game like John Trigonis. He is considered to be one of the leading experts in the game. And with good reason, since he has been leading some of the most impressive crowdfunding campaigns for film companies and independent filmmakers over the past decade, worked for Indiegogo, and authored the veritable bible on the subject, Crowdfunding For Filmmakers: The Way to a Successful Film Campaign.
Topics Discussed
How John and his friend’s early interest in film and drama led him to the world of crowdfundingWhy doc films and filmmakers are perfect for crowdfundsThree of the most common mistakes first-time crowdfunding campaigns makeHow crowdfunding is about so much more than simply raising monies for your doc filmAdditional Crowdfunding Resources
The book that made our crowdfund campaign
Interested in the book that everyone is talking about (and certainly we talked about on the show!)? This is literally THE resource that Steph and I used to guide us through our successful $20k crowdfund for Elvis of Cambodia.
John gives his crowdfunding TEDx Talks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGb7bQKtA3o
Chris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
In Part Four, Chris ventures out into the provinces for his first bit of filming since returning to Cambodia. And it’s the Chinese New Year. And he’s taking friend/colleague, Patrick Firouzian out to film with him. Only, they need to find some way to get to their subject’s hometown, which is not easy since most modes of transportation are shut down during the New Year celebrations. And then once there, they’ll need to stay sober enough to complete the day’s filming!
Related Videos From the Set of Elvis of Cambodia
Filming Seng Dara in his hometown of Chumnik village, Takeo province
Friend, additional photographer, and film collaborator, Patrick Firouzian, takes a break during the filming.
#Doclifer Stories
Where we share our listeners #doclives and filmmaking stories. This week, we visit with doc filmmaker and founder of The Charlotte Unconventional Film School, Julie McElmurry, who shares with us her experiences working on her documentary series about nuns.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 17 May 2019 - 52min - 185 - Doc Filmmaking, Festivals, and Podcasting with Thom Powers
Thom Powers has been more in touch with documentary filmmaking and filmmakers than most anyone I know. Which makes sense, since he made docs for about a decade, programs for two of the most prestigious film festivals (TIFF and DOCNYC), and is now the host of the podcast, Pure Nonfiction.
Please join us as we have a candid conversation with one of the industry’s more recognisable voices. A conversation, one doc filmmaker to another. One podcaster to another.
Topics Discussed
How Thom Powers went from making HBO and PBS docs to running film festivalsHow Thom Powers took his experience as a doc filmmaker and made his festival for doc filmmakersHow and why DOCNYC is one of the more unique doc festivals aroundHow Thom Powers has had such great access to doc filmmakers for his Pure Nonfiction screenings and podcastChris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
In Part Three, Chris talks about his first couple of weeks settling into his old haunt, the capital city, Phnom Penh. And how it has changed over the years. He also battles some serious editor’s block, being unable to delve back into his passion project, Elvis of Cambodia. And how it took a spark and a sound to turn things around for him, just when he feared all might be lost.
#Doclifer Stories
Where we share our listeners #doclives and filmmaking stories. This week, we visit with This Little Land of Mines, director, Erin McGoff, who shares with us her first experiences working on her first feature doc.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for their fresh and diverse music and for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Want 20% off of your first music licensing purchase? No licensing restrictions or number of tracks! Simply use promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 10 May 2019 - 57min - 184 - On the FRONTLINE with Doc Filmmakers, James Jones and Olivier Sarbil
Doc filmmaking duo, James Jones and Olivier Sarbil, have been making their doc living on the frontline of some of the world’s most dangerous areas. But they didn’t necessarily always intend it to be this way. Join us for a powerful and engaging conversation with two filmmakers who are making some of the most important film work today.
Their latest doc, the FRONTLINE film, On the President’s Orders, is a searing look at President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly campaign against drug dealers and suspected drug users in the Philippines, told with unprecedented access to police officials implicated in the killings, families of users, and others from both sides of the nation’s war on drug.
Topics Discussed
how the two filmmakers and their work were a great match for one anotherthe importance of being totally upfront and transparent with your doc subjects right from the beginninghow Olivier is able to keep his emotions in-check as he films some of the harrowing moments in lifehow you are treated and best ways to operate as a foreign doc filmmaker working in another countryFilm Trailer
Watch the trailer forOn the President’s Orders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xukP-PpC3Bo
Chris in Cambodia Series
In Chris in Cambodia, TDL host and doc filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst shares some of his stories and lessons from his most recent trip filming in Cambodia, working on he and his wife, Steph’s, current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
In Part One of this Nine Part Series, Chris talked about the mental and physical pains of lugging around too much gear in a place like Cambodia. In Part Two, he goes back to the beginning, days before leaving for a big annual corporate video gig and then embarking on his passion project, Elvis of Cambodia. And he walks us through the packing of film gear for a trip like this.
In the episode, Chris mentions his Essential Doc Film Gear List, which can be found by going here.
Supporting TDL Blog Post:
Chris’ Essential Travel Doc Filmmaking Gear List
#Doclifer Stories
Where we share our listeners #doclives and filmmaking stories. This week, video production professor, doc film director (and longtime listener of the show!) Josh Davidsburg discusses his journey with the making of his latest doc, Queen of the Capital.
The #Doclifer Elite Mastermind
On Tuesday, May 7th, 2019, we will be bringing together the new members of the #Doclifer Elite Mastermind, a collective of documentary filmmakers moving their documentary films and their documentary lives forward with purpose. We would love for YOU to be one of those members. Complete the application today and let’s get to work on making your best doc film!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are different.
Their music catalogue that is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 03 May 2019 - 1h 00min - 183 - The First Female Director with Pamela B. Green
We’re back! Season 2 of the TDL podcast has officially begun…
Pamela B. Green has made her first documentary feature, Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy Blache. And it is about one of the true pioneers of cinema, Alice Guy Blache. You’ve probably not heard of her. You’re not alone. Even film scholars and most of Hollywood’s finest have no idea who she was. And Pamela is set on rectifying that situation.
Topics Discussed
the need for true resilience for a doc filmmaker to stay with their passion projectshow Alice Guy Blache was one of the original filmmakers who embraced the idea of entrepreneurshiphow her successful $200k Kickstarter campaign helped her build an audience for her filmher approach to using the detective work behind her search for Alice Guy Blache was used as a significant part of the storyTrailer
Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy Blache
https://vimeo.com/70380930
Chris in Cambodia Story Series
It’s great to be back, #Doclifer! And I’m eager to share some of my stories and lessons from my most recent trip filming in Cambodia on our current documentary, Elvis of Cambodia.
First lesson up? Pack. Lightly.
#Doclifer Stories
Where we share our listeners #doclives and filmmaking stories. This week, Thomas Bertram, who started his production company RainWater Media six years ago and is currently over in the country of Thailand filming on his latest documentary.
The #Doclifer Elite Mastermind
On Tuesday, May 7th, 2019, we will be bringing together the new members of the #Doclifer Elite Mastermind, a collective of documentary filmmakers moving their documentary films and their documentary lives forward with purpose. We would love for YOU to be one of those members. Complete the application today and let’s get to work on making your best doc film!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode.
We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are different.
Their music catalogue that is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across.
If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine.
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Thu, 25 Apr 2019 - 49min - 182 - 100 – Happy Thanksgiving Finale From The Documentary Life
It is the week of giving thanks, as we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the U.S. Coincidentally, it is episode #100, our last episode of Season One of the podcast. And I am joined by my better half, the producer for the show, Stephanie Vincenti. And we have a lot of gratitude for what we have achieved with The Documentary Life. We also have so much to be thankful for with you, #doclifers, who have most certainly helped us achieve this fairly monumental moment, and may even have been with us throughout all episodes of this journey!
And so this, our season finale, if you will, is all about and all for you, #doclifer.
Topics Discussed
a look back at 2.5 years and 99 episodes of the podcasta discussion about our hiatus and what we’ll be doing during that time to serve youhow in 2019, Cambodia will play a significant part in our and your #docliveswhat’s on the horizon for The Documentary Life, which has become much more than simply a podcasta discussion about The Documentary Academy, including a Black Friday offer for enrollmentSubscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 23 Nov 2018 - 56min - 181 - 99 – Outdoor Adventure Films with Peter Mortimer
Peter Mortimer has been climbing and making outdoor adventure films for the past twenty years through his company, Sender Films. His company has put out some of the most recognizable outdoor adventure images on the planet, as well as founded The Reel Rock Tour, the biggest and longest-running festival of outdoor adventure films in the world.
Sender has just released their first feature doc, The Dawn Wall, the story of Tommy Caldwell and his impossible ascent of one of the world’s most difficult rock faces, Yosemite’s Dawn Wall. Tommy’s journey, coupled with Peter’s own journey from a geology student to running one of the most well known outdoor adventure film production companies made for a wonderful story. And it has made for an even better episode. Check it out!
Topics Discussed
how he went from a Geology degree to making some of the world’s most recognizable rock climbing filmshow filming what he knew of his own interests propelled his films to a dedicated niche audiencehow creating the Reel Rock Film Festival essentially became the jumping off point for distribution of his filmshow Sender Films went on to produce the documentary about one of the most historic climbs and climbers in historythe technical aspects involved with filming a climb like The Dawn WallRelated Sources
° Watch the trailer for The Dawn Wall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRkMaQEVd9c
° Watch the full length doc on November 20th! Sender Films’ The Dawn Wall
° Watch IDFA Interview with directors, Peter Mortimer & Josh Lowell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl1iV2ow5-c
° Tommy Caldwell on Tedx Talks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnMs_qLwaes
° There are some outstanding examples of how Sender Films has made a living doing outdoor adventure films in this series, A Line Across the Sky. Incredible footage with some behind-the-scenes moments that any #doclifer interested in shooting outdoor sports will appreciate! Below is a trailer. Click HERE to watch the full film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOScetWwEwc
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #90 is proudly brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 16 Nov 2018 - 59min - 180 - 98 – Working with Werner Herzog and Les Blank with Maureen Gosling
Maureen Gosling is not only the editor of my favourite documentary film of all time, but quite possibly my favourite film of all time. Period. That film is Les Blank’s Burden of Dreams,starring Werner Herzog.
And as we near our finale episode for Season One of the show, I thought it might be a great time to have someone like Maureen on to the show, not only because I would get the opportunity to hear some Les Blank, Werner Herzog & Klaus Kinski stories, but also because editing is something that we often like to champion here on the show. I believe editing to be one of the most underrated positions in all of film. Plus, I know that we have a lot of #doclifers out there who are currently in post production on their doc film!
Topics Discussed
how a chance encounter with Les Blank would start her down the road of documentarybeing sued by Drew Barrymore for the use of the name Flower Filmsstories about her and Les’ experience documenting Werner Herzog with their film Burden of Dreamstouring in Latin America showing their films and working with Latin American filmmakerslessons & tips for working with indigenous culturesRelated Sources
° Watch the trailer for Burden of Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYOYi9WLLVU
° Watch the trailer for A Dangerous Idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ZIfvWWqDA
° Watch the trailer for The Long Shadow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RENJTepMW-4
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 09 Nov 2018 - 44min - 179 - 97 – Understanding Doc Society with Maxyne Franklin
Doc Society (formerly BritDoc) is a non-profit that has been working directly with documentary filmmakers since its inception in 2005, to make the most impact in the world with their art. Whether with their flagship program, Good Pitch, their Impact Award, the Impact Field Guide, or the number of grants that they offer, Doc Society has truly become a critical part of the doc community over the past decade.
And I was fortunate enough to sit down with co-founder, Maxyne Franklin, to have an open & frank discussion about the general state of documentary as well as how Doc Society fits into the whole doc landscape, as well as how you, #doclifer, can best take advantage of their programs & services.
Topics Discussed
how a group of Channel 4 editors broke away to form BritDoc, which would eventually become Doc Societyhow its flagship program, Good Pitch, has brought together organizations & individuals who can directly impact doc filmmaker's projectswhat Doc Society is doing to become more accessible to filmmakers globallythe Impact Field Guide & Toolkit and why every doc filmmaker should have this free resourceother grants & funds that Doc Society is producing to directly help the doc filmmakerRelated Sources
Launched in 2014, the Impact Field Guide & Toolkit is a free online resource designed to help anyone working with film make an even greater impact. Go to the download HERE.
Good Pitch brings together documentary filmmakers with foundations, NGOs, campaigners, philanthropists, policymakers, brands and media around leading social and environmental issues — to forge coalitions and campaigns that are good for all these partners, good for the films and good for society.
Want to be part of a doc filmmaking community? Consider the TDL Community facebook Group page! It's free and a wonderful group of like-minded individuals working on their passion of doc filmmaking.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #97 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive-Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week's episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist's music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 02 Nov 2018 - 45min - 178 - 96 – Short Your Way to a Feature with Jon Kasbe
Jon Kasbe may not be a name that you are familiar with… yet. Unless you are intricately connected to film festivals or an avid follower of short documentary films, you may not know of this filmmaker’s work.
But he’s most certainly someone that you will soon know, quite possibly with his first feature doc, When Lambs Become Lions, a film about two Kenyan men on opposing sides of the ivory trade. To say it is a thoughtful, engaging, complex look at an issue that you may think that you already know about, would be a vast understatement.
Jon got his beginning by doing one short film after another. And that is not to say that he simply churned these films out. Jon clearly took great care with each and every one of his films. With each short, he cut his teeth, took risks, learning what worked and what didn’t with each short film that he did. All of this, unintentionally, leading to the first feature doc.
This is a conversation with a filmmaker whom we may all come to know and appreciate over the next few years. When Lambs Become Lions is one of the most impressive feats I’ve seen in a long time. And his library of short films are equally impressive. There is much to be learned from this doc filmmaker.
Topics Discussed
had his first doc experience shooting his grandfather helping a leper colony in Indiahow working in short form – making mistakes & letting some projects go – allowed him the confidence to one day make his feature, When Lambs Become Lionsspent a year getting to know his subjects before a camera ever came outthe responsibilities & perils in trying to give Westerners a deeper understanding on subjects they make thing that they already know abouthow Jon used narrative cinema as inspiration, as opposed to documentariesRelated Sources
° A Conversation with Doc Filmmaker, Jon Kasbe
Topics include how to start your documentary, the evolution of a story, camera decisions, post production and more.
https://vimeo.com/276058656
° Clip from When Lambs Become Lions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwO-UZaV9ak
° View more of Jon’s work by going to his Vimeo page.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 26 Oct 2018 - 46min - 177 - 95 – America to Steve James
Steve James is one of the most recognizable names in documentary. Many of us #doclifers have been inspired by his films and the way in which he makes them. He was on TDL back on the eve of the Academy Awards for his doc, Abacus: Small Enough to Jail. Not surprisingly, Steve had some great insight into the industry and into doc filmmaking, as a whole. And he related much of this with candor and clarity that was appreciated by all of us doc filmmakers.
And so, on the weekend before the finale of his magnificent documentary series, America to Me, we thought it an appropriate time to reconnect with our brother-in-doc.
Topics Discussed
why & how Steve maintains relationships with his subjectshis choice to recruit younger, diverse filmmakers to help him with the serieswhy he shows scenes to his film subject, believing that they have agency in how they are representedhow weekly meetings with school admin was necessary for filming the serieshow & why America to Me was the most difficult undertaking of his film careerRelated Sources
Watch the trailer forAmerica to Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avT1e_iZ8yw
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #90 is proudly brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 19 Oct 2018 - 46min - 176 - 94 – Documentary Film Distribution with Jon Reiss
No one knows documentary film distribution in quite the way that film distro wizard, Jon Reiss does. The founder of Hybrid Cinema and author of film distribution Bible, Think Outside the Box Office joined us for this week’s episode of TDL. And it was one of the most engaging, honest looks at film distribution out there!
Topics Discussed
a hybrid approach to film distributionimportance of creating an event for your film’s theatrical showingwas building an audience through a blog, social media, and email lists before it was a thinghow the Bible of film distribution, Thinking Outside the Box Office came to bevaluable first lessons learned from his distribution strategy with the film Bomb Ittips for distributing your documentary film#DocLifer Film
As heard on the episode, fellow #DocLifer, Kevin Svenkeson joined us on the programme to discuss his journey with his first documentary film, Floating Giants: The Barry Prentice Story.Watch the trailer for his film
https://vimeo.com/257799936
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 12 Oct 2018 - 48min - 175 - 93 – The Full-time Doc Filmmaker, with Mat Hames
Mat Hames is one of the few, fortunate ones in our doc world that makes his entire living doing his passion of documentary film. Whether it is through he and his wife’s company, Alpheus Media, or through Rooster Teeth’s RT Docs, Hames has been making documentary films non-stop for well over a decade now. Of course, along with persistence and hard work came such fortuitous moments along the way – not the least of which was his association with PBS’ program, Independent Lens, which showcased two of his first three documentary films.
And Mat was gracious enough to come onto TDL to discuss, among a host of other things, his collaboration with Independent Lens and why and how Public Broadcasting plays such a critical role in fostering the doc life of a filmmaker, like Mat.
Topics Dicussed
being knighted with his first documentary filmthe importance of a PBS programme, like Independent Lens to the doc filmmakerhow writing is one of the most overlooked, but critical elements of the doc filmmakerwho Rooster Teeth is and how they are making waves in the doc communityRelated Sources
° View a clip of Mat Hames’ When We Rise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjM0p99fsco
° Watch the trailer for What Was Ours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN_yDENKtX0
Sponsors & Thank Yous
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 - 50min - 174 - 92 – How to Fund Your Film: The Individual Donor
An often overlooked aspect of film funding is the individual donor. Which is kind of surprising, given that statistics tend to show that 50 percent (and sometimes more) make up the overall funding for doc filmmakers. Amidst, all of the dialogue and concentration on other, sometimes more obvious, avenues of fundraising like crowdfunding, grant funding, and corporate sponsorships, we tend to forget that sometimes it’s that single big individual donation that can often be the difference between getting a film made or having it remain a cool idea that the filmmaker once had.
And so we have dedicated today’s episode to you, #doclifer, and to the almighty Individual Donor!
Topics Discussed
How individual donations often make up the bulk of a doc filmmakers fundingWhere & how to find individual donorContacting a potential donorMaking the askNurturing the relationship of the major gift donor
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #92 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 28 Sep 2018 - 29min - 173 - 91 – Doc Filmmakers Getting Real, with Claire Aguilar
Getting Real is a biennial conference put on by International Documentary Association (IDA) to foster three days of documentary media discussion, with documentary filmmaker’s sustainability at the core of its discussion. Along with the theme of sustainability, the 2018 conference will see the themes of transparency and creativity being added to the discussion.
At the time of this episode, we are days away from the event (Sep 25-27) and we thought it might be a great time to check in with our friends over to IDA to see what was happening this year. We are were elated when Claire Aguilar, Director of Programming & Policy agreed to sit down this and tell us of all the special events happening at this year’s Getting Real.
Topics Discussed
the continuing need to better understand sustainability and how it pertains to the doc filmmakerhow & why IDA continues to be at the forefront of fostering networking & discussion to and with the doc communitythe addition of transparency and creativity to the Getting Real discussiona breakdown of all that is offered at this premiere three-day event for doc filmmakerswhile tix are sold-out for the event, you can still volunteer for Getting RealRelated Sources
Two episodes were mentioned in today’s programme. They were Episode #58 with IDA Exec Dir, Simon Kilmurry and Episode #51 with 2018 IDA Career Achievement Award recipient, Lourdes Portillo. Check out one or both!
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° ONE MONTH FREE OF GUIDEDOC!
Episode #89 is proudly brought to you GuideDoc, an online platform where you can not only watch the world’s best award-winning docs from around the globe, but you get to directly support the people who make these docs! 50 percent of proceeds goes directly to the filmmaker!
To take advantage of one month FREE, simply use the promo code MYDOCLIFE upon checkout!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 21 Sep 2018 - 35min - 172 - 90 – 5 (More) Reasons to Make Your Documentary Film
If you are like so many of us doc filmmakers, there have been numerous times where you have questioned or doubted whether or not you should or perhaps even could make a documentary film. There are even seasoned filmmakers with multiple docs to their resume who still question whether or not they are the right person to be making a particular doc (myself included).
Well, I am here to tell you that yes, you can in fact, make a documentary, and furthermore that you are, in fact, the perfect person to be making the doc that you’ve been thinking of making or are already in the process of making.
In fact, for today’s episode I’m going to give you 5 Reasons why can and should be making your documentary film, and why you should be doing it today!
5 Reasons to Make Your Documentary Film
It is Your CallingEveryone Loves DocsBecause You are the Person to Tell the StoryYou Already Have the EquipmentYou ARE a Doc Filmmaker, So Stop Questioning It#Doclifer Patrick Suzuki-Mitchell
And if you should need more inspiration to make your documentary, then look no further than fellow #doclifer, Patrick Suzuki-Mitchell, who, like many of us felt an undeniable pull to venture forth into the wonderful world of documentary. But, also like so many of us, had his moments of trepidation and often found himself looking for reasons why he was the one to be telling the story that he wanted to tell. And after you listen to today’s episode you’re going to hear about 20 million of those reasons why he’ll be making his first documentary film!
Related Sources
Check out the Youtube clip that #doclifer Patrick uploaded seven years ago, and has now provided the impetus for the making of his first doc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVXXDtWtHDY
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° ONE MONTH FREE OF GUIDEDOC!
Check out GuideDoc, an online platform where you can not only watch the world’s best award-winning docs from around the globe, but you get to directly support the people who make these docs! 50 percent of proceeds goes directly to the filmmaker!
To take advantage of one month FREE, simply use the promo code MYDOCLIFE upon checkout!
° Episode #90 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 14 Sep 2018 - 38min - 171 - 89 – Minding the Gap with Director, Bing Liu
Every once in awhile a young filmmaker comes out of nowhere and takes the doc world by storm. And this year that name seems to be Bing Liu.
And his doc Minding the Gap seems to be all over the place these days. Bing’s film won the Sundance 2018 Jury for Breakthrough Filmmaking. He was essentially recruited by Kartemquin to come on as co-producers. Steve James not only came on as executive director of Minding the Gapbut asked Bing to story produce and DP on a handful of episodes of Steve’s current docuseries America to Me. Bing was also listed in Variety Magazine as one of ten documentary filmmakers to watch.
And so for today’s programme I am happy to sit down with Bing and have a candid conversation about his experience in the film industry, his life in Rockford, and of course, his exhilarating documentary, Minding the Gap. Enjoy, fellow #doclifer!
Topics Discussed
Forming a co-sponsorship with a Kartemquin filmsBing’s decision to put skin in the game by including himself in his docEthical decisions involved when subjects discuss abusive relationshipsNavigating the meat market atmosphere of major film festivals
Related Sources
° Watch the trailer for Minding the Gap
° Watch Bing’s full documentary, Nuoc
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° ONE MONTH FREE OF GUIDEDOC!
Episode #89 is proudly brought to you GuideDoc, an online platform where you can not only watch the world’s best award-winning docs from around the globe, but you get to directly support the people who make these docs! 50 percent of proceeds goes directly to the filmmaker!
To take advantage of one month FREE, simply use the promo code MYDOCLIFE upon checkout!
°Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 07 Sep 2018 - 43min - 170 - 88 – 5 Tips for Your Film Festival Strategy
Last week, #doclifer Josh Davidsburg took advantage of the TDL Hotline and left a message with us asking about advice for a film festival strategy. Not only did we answer his question and offer up some suggestions, but we took it a step further and decided to make a full-blown episode on the topic!
I don’t want you to make the same mistakes that I made when I released my first documentary Journey to Kathmandu. While I certainly learned a bit about the film festival thing from that experience, I probably learned more from my inexperience! And the various docs that I’ve worked on since J2K coupled with my research and connection to Melbourne Documentary Film Festival and their director, Lyndon Stone, I’ve certainly broadened my knowledge on the topic of film festivals. And I’m happy to share that not only with Josh, but all of you #doclifers, who should be forming your strategies from the moment you embark upon your amazing doc idea/project!
5 Tips for Your Film Festival Strategy
In this episode, we discuss 5 tips for your film festival strategy.
Form Your Strategy Early OnBuild a Festival DatabaseFind the Festivals For Your FilmGet the Word OutBe Smart About Your PremiereRelated Sources
Want a great supportive doc filmmaking community to be a part of? Consider the TDL Community facebook Group page! It’s free and it’s a wonderfully connected group of like-minded individuals all working on their passion of doc filmmaking.
° Trailer to #DocLifer Josh Davidsburg’s documentary film, Queen of the Capital
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7G128nlbzA
Journey to Kathmandu
If you are interested in watching TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst’s personal documentary, you can check out Journey to Kathmandu, a film that follows the once-in-a-lifetime journey that goats make from their farmland lives of goats in Tibet to their sacrificial deaths in Kathmandu, during the Nepalese holiday, Dashain.
Purchase of the Deluxe Director’s & Goat’s Edition comes loaded with behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, shorts, and deleted scenes. Regardless if you’re simply looking for more info on the making of J2K’or you’re a budding independent filmmaker (or just a fan of goats!), this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys gaining insight into what goes into the making of an independent documentary in a developing country.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #86 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 31 Aug 2018 - 27min - 169 - 87 – Learning to Breath with Documentary Photography with Alison Wright
Alison Wright has been traveling and working in 150 countries and doing documentary photography for 35+ years. She is one of the single most impressive human beings that you may ever meet. She has lived more in her life than most of us will if we lived to 100. Though if not for the kindness of strangers, she would have lost her life in the middle of nowhere Laos, when she was involved in a horrific bus accident.
Of course, she lived to tell the tell her story. And she lived to tell it to many people, since the publication of her memoir, Learning to Breath: One Woman’s Journey of Spirit and Survival. And she lived to create some of the more impactful photographs of some of the most desolate, destitute, staggeringly beautiful, hauntingly breathtaking places and peoples of the world.
And she’s now given us the pleasure of her presence on the podcast. And what an episode it was. We are not worthy, Alison…
Topics Discussed
importance of finding hope when one is working in the devastated areas of the worlddiscussion on whether one’s work is enough for change or if the artist needs to be doing something more tangible with their work to affect that changehow to stay connected with both your subject and the audience for your workhow to decompress & process when coming back from long stretches of working away from homehow a meditation practice got Alison through challenging situations & environments, including her near-death experience in Laos
Related Sources
I encourage all listeners to check out the amazing work that Alison is doing through her non-profit, Faces of Hope.
I also highly recommend reading her stunning memoir, Learning to Breath: One Woman’s Journey of Spirit and Survival.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 24 Aug 2018 - 53min - 168 - 86 – Influential Documentaries to My Doc Life
As a doc filmmaker, how many times have you been asked what your favorite documentary film is? If you’re anything like me, it’s a nearly impossible and futile question to answer. There are just too many incredibly documentaries that have influenced, inspired, and excited me over the years, to have to name a single favorite one of them.
That being said, it’s not difficult for me to rattle off a number of documentaries that have been of particular influence to me and my work. Which is what today’s episode is all about: docs of influence.
And once you’ve listened to the show, I’d like to encourage you to share with the rest of us #doclifers your list of docs that have influenced you! You can email me, use the TDL Hotline (1-828-419-4845) or maybe even better yet, post your list as a comment on the TDL Community Facebook Group.
Docs Discussed
Burden of DreamsHearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s ApocalypseWar PhotogapherHoop DreamsTouching the Void
Related Sources
° Watch the trailer for Burden of Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYOYi9WLLVU
° Watch the trailer for Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxowb5IQRuI
° Watch the trailer for War Photographer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doV8xokcTuo
° Watch the trailer for Hoop Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph2Y-epihlk
° Watch the trailer for Touching the Void
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t65VrYZ2U9s
#Doclifer Film
Be sure and check out #DocLifer Erin McGoff‘s current documentary film project, This Little Land of Mines!
Journey to Kathmadu
If you are interested in watching TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst’s personal documentary, you can check out Journey to Kathmandu, a film that follows the once-in-a-lifetime journey that goats make from their farmland lives of goats in Tibet to their sacrificial deaths in Kathmandu, during the Nepalese holiday, Dashain.
Purchase of the Deluxe Director’s & Goat’s Edition comes loaded with behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, shorts, and deleted scenes. Regardless if you’re simply looking for more info on the making of J2K’or you’re a budding independent filmmaker (or just a fan of goats!), this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys gaining insight into what goes into the making of an independent documentary in a developing country.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #86 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
° Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 17 Aug 2018 - 34min - 167 - 85 – Talking Directing and Development with Three Identical Strangers director, Tim Wardle
One of the biggest documentary hits of the summer has been Tim Wardles’ Three Identical Strangers, a film that follows the incredible true story of triplets who learned of one another’s existence only at age 19, their initial joy giving way to increasingly unsettling discoveries. But before becoming the director or a massive documentary hit, Wardle spend many years as head of development for RAW TV in the UK, a position that he believes is vastly underrated and, in fact, is one that documentary filmmakers should more seriously consider.
I loved that revealing conversation for its discussion on the documentary industry and his amazing documentary.
Topics Discussed
how working years as head of development for RAW TV enabled Tim to stay inspired and connected to documentarywhy you, #doclifer, might consider making a career out of developmentwhy documentary people are some of the most interesting, inspiring people you can surround yourselves withhow a filmmaker needs to be willing to walk away from their doc project if it’s not workinghis strategies for approaching and then conducting interviews with the key people of Three Identical Strangersthe challenges with producing Three Identical Strangers, a US-based film, from a UK-based companyFilm Trailer
° Watch the trailer for Three Identical Strangers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-OF0OaK3o0
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Fri, 10 Aug 2018 - 42min - 166 - 84 – Staying Connected as a Documentary Filmmaking
Last week we attended Podcast Movement 2018 in Philadelphia, USA. It was a great refresher for us – even an eye opener on some levels – in terms of what we are doing with the podcast as well as what we’re doing as doc filmmakers. As was the case last year, we left the conference feeling more connected to a community of podcasters. But this year, perhaps more importantly, we are feeling a need to be more connected you, #doclifer, which is what this week’s episode is all about… Connectivity.
We are making a more concerted effort to get back to our core of The Documentary Life, which is to provide a platform whereby we, as doc filmmakers, can all feel a little more connected to one another, to our doc brothers and sisters!
5 Ways to Stay Connected as a Doc Filmmaker
As creatives, it’s easy for us to get overwhelmed by our projects or other aspects of our lives that demand our attention. This can sometimes negatively impact our ability to function in a creative capacity. I have come up with five ways that will help you take some of that creativity back.
MeetupsJoin TDL Community facebook group pageVolunteer on Someone Else’s DocAttend Doc Film Fests48 Hour Film FestivalRelated Sources
° Want a great supportive doc filmmaking community to be a part of?
Join the TDL Community facebook Group page! It’s free and it’s a wonderfully connected group of like-minded individuals all working on their passion of doc filmmaking.
° In the episode we talk about the importance of using your Meetups! We also mentioned two Meetup groups that are listeners of the podcast head up in Philly and Charlotte. Check’em out if you’re in the area!
Journey To Kathmandu
If you are interested in watching TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst’s personal documentary, you can check out Journey to Kathmandu, a film that follows the once-in-a-lifetime journey that goats make from their farmland lives of goats in Tibet to their sacrificial deaths in Kathmandu, during the Nepalese holiday, Dashain.
Purchase of the Deluxe Director’s & Goat’s Edition comes loaded with behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, shorts, and deleted scenes. Regardless if you’re simply looking for more info on the making of J2K’or you’re a budding independent filmmaker (or just a fan of goats!), this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys gaining insight into what goes into the making of an independent documentary in a developing country.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #84 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 03 Aug 2018 - 27min - 165 - 83 – My (Rather Candid) Conversation with Brexitannia Director, Timothy George Kelly
There is something – many things, really – that can be said about having a conversation with Timothy George Kelly (dir., Brexitannia) on the current state of documentary film (or Brexit, for that matter). But you probably wouldn’t believe me if I tried to explain it here. The best thing to do, of course, would be to simply dive into the episode. But you should do so with some caution.
For this episode may provoke you. It may force you to think of your doc making in a different way. It may make you anxious. It could make you annoyed. Or it could make you jump for joy with happiness and exaltation. Whatever my conversation with Timothy does, if nothing else, you will be moved in some direction. This is not unlike, of course, what the whole Brexit referendum did a couple of years back. Which, by the way, Timothy thankfully covered in brilliant and black and white fashion with his stunning new film, Brexitannia.
Topics Discussed
the importance of having conversations about how & when you screwed up as a filmmaker and why the industry is scared of those conversationswhy Timothy makes docs that deal in truth, and not the blurring of lines between fact and fictionhow intentionally making strong creative decisions on Brexitannia practically ensure that it would not be seen on the telehow & why we can and should be making political docs that are interesting to an audience in an effort to engage them in political discourse
Related Sources
° Watch the trailer for Brexitannia
https://vimeo.com/210570776
° A great example of Timothy’s filmmaking where doc meets commercial. Made for Adidas Originals and Boiler Room.
https://vimeo.com/179881825
° The trailer for Timothy’s film that he hates, ACity is An Island
https://vimeo.com/167117333
Journey to Kathmadu
If you are interested in watching TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst’s personal documentary, you can check out Journey to Kathmandu, a film that follows the once-in-a-lifetime journey that goats make from their farmland lives of goats in Tibet to their sacrificial deaths in Kathmandu, during the Nepalese holiday, Dashain.
Purchase of the Deluxe Director’s & Goat’s Edition comes loaded with behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, shorts, and deleted scenes. Regardless if you’re simply looking for more info on the making of J2K’or you’re a budding independent filmmaker (or just a fan of goats!), this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys gaining insight into what goes into the making of an independent documentary in a developing country.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 20 Jul 2018 - 51min - 164 - 82 – Maximizing Your Doc Life with Pedram Shojai, OMD
Pedram Shojai has been embodying the doc life now for years. In fact, one might argue that he was doing so even before he was making documentaries, building his life to his passions of Taoism, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and practicing Oriental medicine. A few years ago, Pedram combined these passions and formed Well.org. Not long after this, he made his first documentary film, Vitality. A number of documentary films have since followed.
I think that you will find this conversation to be one of the most frank and open conversations about living one’s doc life that we’ve had in a long time.
Topics Discussed
how/why you might consider using your doc films as freemiumhow Pedram believes that filmmakers need to get over their issues with making money from their projectshow there is a need for docos to be making films that bring more light instead of darkness into the worldhow electing not to distribute with the Netflixs and Amazons allows you to be more intimately connected with your audiences, which increases the success of your next films
5 Ways to Increase Your Filmmaking Creativity
As creatives, it’s easy for us to get overwhelmed by our projects or other aspects of our lives that demand our attention. This can sometimes negatively impact our ability to function in a creative capacity. I have come up with five ways that will help you take some of that creativity back.
Get OutsideFind Something GoodEngage with Some Like-minded PeopleAsk for FeedbackExerciseRelated Sources
° Watch the trailer for Pedram Shojai’s first documentary film, Vitality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAoYqKmjR_E
° Watch the trailer for Pedram Shojai’s documentary film, Prosperity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGwySLuQdHQ
Journey to Kathmandu
If you are interested in watching TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst’s personal documentary, you can check out Journey to Kathmandu, a film that follows the once-in-a-lifetime journey that goats make from their farmland lives of goats in Tibet to their sacrificial deaths in Kathmandu, during the Nepalese holiday, Dashain.
Purchase of the Deluxe Director’s & Goat’s Edition comes loaded with behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, shorts, and deleted scenes. Regardless if you’re simply looking for more info on the making of J2K’or you’re a budding independent filmmaker (or just a fan of goats!), this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys gaining insight into what goes into the making of an independent documentary in a developing country.
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Fri, 13 Jul 2018 - 55min - 163 - 81 – Hacking the Documentary Film Festival, Part Two
It’s that time again to turn our attention to breaking down the barriers of that ever-elusive filmmaking animal that we’ve all come to respect and love, but few of us truly understand… the film festival.
Last year, we ran a two-part special on the subject of the film festival for the documentary festival. Lyndon Stone, festival director of Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, invited us into his world of curating and producing a documentary film festival and he helped us better understand what all goes on behind-the-scenes of such an endeavour, as well as how we, the doc filmmaker, can best apply to these festivals and use them to leverage our film’s success afterwards. We also spoke with two filmmakers who were playing MDFF, in order to gain their perspective on what the documentary film festival experience was like for them, and how we might best be able to learn from their experiences.
Due to the popularity of that two-part special, we’ve decided to do it again in anticipation of this year’s MDFF! Lyndon will again tee-up each episode for us and we will also have two doc filmmakers who have had their film’s selected as inclusion to this year’s festival. And for part two of the special, we’ll talk with Dawn Mikkelson, whose film Risking Light marks Dawn’s fifth documentary film in which she has applied to the film festival circuit. This is her first to play MDFF, which had reached out to her a couple of years prior when they were made aware of a crowdfunding campaign for the film.
Topics Discussed
how the MDFF film selection process goes through a very specific panel processwhy it’s important for festivals to be hosting more filmmaker visitshow Dawn Mikkelson’s first festival experience changed her entire perception of the film festival circuitwhy it’s exciting & important for doc filmmakers to have their subjects present at some festival screeningshow festivals are a critical way for a doc filmmaker who isn’t from LA or NYC to casually network with other doc filmmakers or industry people who might help you get your next doc funded
Related Sources
Watch the trailer for Dawn Mikkelson’s Risking Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1qx_v7gCvI&vl=en
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Fri, 06 Jul 2018 - 48min - 162 - 80 – Hacking the Documentary Film Festival, Part One
It’s that time again to turn our attention to breaking down the barriers of that ever-elusive filmmaking animal that we’ve all come to respect and love, but few of us truly understand… the film festival.
Last year, we ran a two-part special on the subject of the film festival for the documentary festival. Lyndon Stone, festival director of Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, invited us into his world of curating and producing a documentary film festival and he helped us better understand what all goes on behind-the-scenes of such an endeavour, as well as how we, the doc filmmaker, can best apply to these festivals and use them to leverage our film’s success afterwards. We also spoke with two filmmakers who were playing MDFF, in order to gain their perspective on what the documentary film festival experience was like for them, and how we might best be able to learn from their experiences.
Due to the popularity of that two-part special, we’ve decided to do it again in anticipation of this year’s MDFF! Lyndon will again tee-up each episode for us and we will also have two doc filmmakers who have had their film’s selected as inclusion to this year’s festival. And for part one of the special, we’ll talk with Tony Zierra, whose film Filmworker has been getting rave reviews at a number of festivals, including Cannes and MDFF.
Topics Discussed
MDFF’s embracing of the short form dochow & why MDFF decided to not just simply screen films, but to build relationships with the filmmakers and to assist them after the festivalpractical tips for the doc filmmaker when applying to film festivalsTony Zierra is a filmmaker who embodies the essence of living the doc lifeTony believes that film festivals are the doc filmmaker’s gateway to the worldhow Tony kept rolling with the punches during his journey as a doc filmmaker and how you can too
Related Sources
° Watch the trailer for Tony Zierra’s Filmworker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEZ2r1YGKSA
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #80 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Rate and Review
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Fri, 29 Jun 2018 - 55min - 161 - 79 – Filming in Dangerous Environments with Doc Filmmakers, Chris Kelly & Venerable Luon Sovath
The number of docos filming in dangerous or hostile environments has been steadily increasing over the past decade, with the access to both dependable portable film gear as well as the best areas in which to tell a given story. What has not necessarily increased is a filmmaker or journalist’s safety, with 80 being killed in action and over 250 imprisoned last year, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Doc filmmakers Chris Kelly and Venerable Luon Sovath spent years risking their life and limb to tell the story of land grabbing in Cambodia. While innocent people were forcefully removed from their homes in the name of land development, Kelly and Luon were there with cameras filming the events for the world to see. And I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down to talk with them about their experiences making the film, A Cambodian Spring, in hopes of shedding some light into the process of making documentaries in potentially dangerous areas of the world.
Topics Discussed
How the choice to tell the film entirely from the Cambodian perspective is a complex and demanding, though very unique and rewarding experienceHow 3-6 months living/filming in Cambodia became 6 yrs in the countryHow a monk decides to become a journalist advocating for the rights of those being displaced from their homes by the governmentHostile environment training in the UK prepared Chris for dangerous areas
Related Sources
Watch the trailer for A Cambodian Spring
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t12Am6DM18
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 22 Jun 2018 - 55min - 160 - 78 – From Producing Film DVD Extras to Doc Filmmaking with Jeffrey Schwarz
If you’re like me, you are a fan of watching the DVD extras or the making-of videos of some of your favorite films. In fact, Ive been inspired and gained some of my very filmmaking knowledge by watching some of the film extras included on dvds.
We have a special conversation with a man who did so many making-ofs and added value content for Hollywood studios that he became known as the EPK Samurai. His name is Jeffrey Schwarz, and he has over 300 producer credits and over 100 directors to his name. And he has parlayed his early career doing the EPK work into becoming a full-fledged documentary filmmaker.
Topics Discussed
how a student film turned into the impetus for lifelong subject matter for future doc filmshow producing EPK and making-of videos allowed Jeffrey to practice his passion of documentaryhow following your obsessions can lead to some wonderful places as a doc filmmakerwhy you should always be budgeting for yourself to make a living in your film budgetsNow as an independent documentary filmmaker, I like to make sure that I include these types of extras on dvd and digital distro packages so that others may benefit in the same way that I did when I was first starting out. And I believe that by including added value like this to your film packages, you can give the consumer another reason to buy your film (instead of somebody else’s!).
5 Best Practices for Making Film Extras
In this episode I also go over 5 Best Practices for Making Film Extras, which are:
Get Best Possible AudioInvolve the Crew and SubjectsKeep a Film JournalStorytellingOffload Footage at End of DayRelated Sources
° Watch the Trailer for Jeffrey Schwarz’s just-released documentary film, The Fabulous Allan Carr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jC7ltHHsek
°If you’re interested in watching Jeffrey’s film you can go here!
° You must check out Jeffrey’s thesis film Al Lewis in the Flesh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9OeAS6ofM0
Journey To Kathmandu
Check out the Journey to Kathmandu package that was mentioned in the episode. This one came chock full o’ dvd extras and making-of videos!
Behind-the-scenes footageDirector’s CommentaryJ2K Film ShortsDocumentary Making-of videosDeleted ScenesOriginal artwork by W. Ryan HatchCD soundtrack
You can purchase this DVD for your collection here.
°WatchJourney to Kathmandu: Making of an Original Score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l54cu-MXRVM
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #74 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 15 Jun 2018 - 59min - 159 - 77 – Mobile Filmmaking Special Pt 2, with FiLMic Pro’s, Neill Barham
In part two of our special on mobile filmmaking for the doc filmmaker, we decided to go right to the source: FiLMic Pro‘s, CEO & found, Neill Barham. And he did not let down. If you have ever even had so much as a thought to making your next doc with you mobile device, than boy is this ever the episode for you.
Neill spoke to us fresh off of Mojofest in Galway, Ireland as well as Apple’s World Developer’s Conference in California. And what he had to say on the subject of mobile filmmaking went beyond all of my expectations for the episode.
Topics Discussed
How & why mobile filmmaking is so appropriate for the doc filmmakerNeill’s journey from indie filmmaker to founder of FiLMiC ProGear & accessory suggestions for the first-time mobile filmmakerHow & why FiLMiC Pro is aimed for the pro filmmakerWhen mobile filmmaking stops being mobile filmmaking
Related Sources
° Neill Barham at NAB 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dob4OiGe0c
° Philip Bloom Article
Philip Bloom – you’re heard of him, no? – first blogged about the brilliance of FiLMiC Pro back in 2009. You can read that article here.
° Sennheiser “Memory Mic”
In the episode, Neill mentions Sennheiser’s unveiling of their Memory Mic at this year’s NAB. It is a wireless lav that automatically syncs up to FiLMiC Pro’s app. Read about this beauty here .
° Richard Lackey
Richard Lackey did a great video talking about how to get great exposure using an iPhone and the FiLMiC Pro app. Wonderful information to help you maximize your low light situations!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx2trCa0edk
Sponsors & Thank Yous
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 08 Jun 2018 - 40min - 158 - 76 – Mobile Filmmaking Special, Pt 1 with Anna Brees
To say that phone filmmaking has quickly turned from shooting cute home movies of your kids to full-fledged filmmaking would be an understatement. And understandably, doc filmmakers, have really been embracing this notion of creating a documentary film from a device that they carry around in their pocket.
In this episode, we’ll speak with former BBC and ITV reporter, Anna Brees, who has fully embraced the notion of shooting and editing news stories with her iPhone. And through her company, Brees Media, she is now giving workshops around the UK, arming its citizens with the power to tell the news stories that aren’t being told.
Topics Discussed
definition of citizen journalismhow documentary has changed the conversation about news & journalismways in which mobile devices are positively affecting our storytellinghow starting out at a small local news station empowered Anna to get out into the world and produce her own news stories5 Reasons to Shoot Your Doc With Your Phone
And we here at TDL have decided to devote the next two episodes to this revolutionary form of filmmaking by first taking a look at 5 Reasons to Shoot Your Doc With Your Phone.
It’s CheapIt’s Small and UnobtrusiveThey Weigh Next to Nothing4K CapabilitiesMulti-Camera PotentialRelated Sources
° You can check out some of Anna’s early work with the BBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhmbybvSsGA
° Penarth SMTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXakSzYlbY&feature=youtu.be
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #76 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 01 Jun 2018 - 54min - 157 - 75 – Talking the Doc Life with My Doc Wife
I figured since I’m always on here prattling on about my doc life, it might be different to talk about – or actually, with! – my doc wife, Stephanie. We figured what better way to celebrate our second anniversary – of the podcast, that is – than to have Steph on the show for the first time EVER, since it’s inception back in May of 2016.
Steph and I met and started working together back in 2012. But before that, we had lives of our own, which included a combined 25+ years working in film/tv – she in feature narratives in Malaysia and the UK and myself in doc and commercials.
In this episode, we’ll take a look back on not only two years of the podcast, our various documentary project ventures, but also our documentary lives as we know it thus far; which includes – among other things – raising a family of two children while we continue our passions of documentary filmmaking!
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 25 May 2018 - 52min - 156 - 74 – Archival Storytelling For Your Documentary with Tom Jennings
Through his production company, 1895 Films, Tom Jennings has become known for his fresh and inventive approach to using archival footage to tell a story. With both Peabody and Emmy Awards under his belt, there are few who have mastered the art of archival storytelling in the way that Tom has. After listening to this episode you will never think of found footage in the same way again!
Topics Discussed
how Tom’s print background lent directly to becoming a documentary filmmakerhow Tom and his company, 1895 Films, have transformed the way that filmmakers are now using archival footagehow through exclusively using archival to tell a story, one forces an audience to become an active viewerhow sourcing archival from local media sources can be a goldminebest practices for contacting local media sources for use of archival materials
5 Tips for Sourcing Archival Materials
To get properly prepped for our conversation with Tom, I take us through 5 Tips for Sourcing Archival Materials. They are:
License-fee vs. Royalty-free vs. Public DomainNational ArchivesFocal InternationalLicense UpfrontCast Wide Net About Your Archival SearchRelated Resources
° In the episode, Tom mentioned a tv news show entitled You Are There, specifically he talks about the episode that dealt with the sinking of the titanic. This show served as inspiration for Tom, later on becoming a documentary filmmaker who would end up taking a very different approach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HliceHS92R4
° View the opening found footage that Tom talks about for The Lost Tapes: Challenger Disaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTHDApKDwrk
° Read a really great article that was basically a case study of how The Lost Tapes: Challenger Disaster was made. This is very informative, highly recommend any doc filmmaker checking this article out!
° Tom Jennings 2012 Peabody Acceptance Speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou4K99TKThI
Sponsors & Thank Yous
° Episode #74 is brought to you by BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Rate and Review
If you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click thelinkand then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
Fri, 18 May 2018 - 55min - 155 - 73 – Making Great Sound for Your Documentary with Jean Umansky
Jean Umansky is one of the most respected sound persons in the field of filmmaking. He is a French sound engineer who has worked on over 50+ narrative and documentary films, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound on Amelie.
In our conversation with Jean, he guides us through some best practices for not only achieving optimal sound, but also for creating sound in a way that shapes the very story of your documentary film.
Topics Discussed
how sound can shape the story just as much as the visuallearning and using the language of sound with the directorimportance of mic placement, shock mount, windscreentips for achieving great sound as a documentary filmmaker
5 Tips for Getting Good Sound on Your Doc
And as an opening volley to our episode on sound, I take us through 5 Tips for Getting Good Sound on Your Doc, which are:
test your gearbring your headphonesthink about locationclothing rustleconsider using a wired lavRelated Resources
° Watch the 7 Ways to Hide Lav Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85HmR825wM
° Joris Ivens
In the episode, Jean, mentions a documentary filmmaking pioneer by the name of Joris Ivens. I have since looked this man up. You won’t believe this guy’s story! You can read more by checking out his Wiki page.
° Watch the Nenette Documentary Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQo8prT25ug
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Fri, 11 May 2018 - 58min - 154 - 72 – Direct Distribution for Your Documentary with Christopher Rufo
The topic of film distribution is, perhaps, one of the most requested topics that we’ve ever had for the podcast. And it’s no wonder. While there may seem like more options than ever for the doc filmmaker, it’s hard to know which ones may be best suited for us. Or if, in fact, self-distribution may, in fact, be the better, smarter option for the independent documentary filmmaker.
Well, Christopher Rufo is a documentary filmmaker who has cracked the proverbial code on what he likes to call “direct distribution”. Chris – who is the founder of both Documentary Foundation and Filmmaker.MBA has some very tried and true methods for getting your documentary film out into the world, seen on big screens, and helping you make some good money back on your film.
Topics Discussed
definition of direct distribution and how it applies to you and your film distro planhow incorporating as a non-profit can be very advantageous to youhow embracing an entrepreneurial spirit is key to sustaining one’s doc lifestop trying to get to a general audience, instead niche down to your true audiencere-defining the term theatrical release
Related Resources
Watch Christopher Rufo’s PBS documentary, Diamond in the Dunes for free by going here!
10% discount onFILMMAKER.MBA
Don’t forget to take advantage of the 10 percent discount by using the promo code MYDOCLIFE at checkout!
Sponsors & Thank You’s
° Episode #72 is brought to you with support from BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
°Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
Subscribe
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Fri, 04 May 2018 - 56min - 153 - 71 – Making a Netflix Docuseries with Flint Town Producer, Gary Kout
These are pretty amazing times for documentary filmmakers. Not only have the popularity of documentary films increased exponentially, not only are there far more resources available these days to doc filmmakers, but the distribution platforms that are out there are plentiful, not the least of which are the Netflixs, Hulus, and Amazons of the world. And now, these distro platforms have opened the doc playing field to the long form, the docuseries.
And for episode #71 we speak with Gary Kout, producer of Netflix series, Flint Town, about the journey that Flint Town took from a short film to a full-fledged Netflix-budgeted documentary series.
Topics Discussed
how a short film became a full-fledged Netflix docuserieshow a distro platform like Netflix can best be approachedhow a company like Netflix decides to fund a docuseries projecthow Netflix makes editorial decisions with a filmmakertips on selling your docuseries to Netflix
5 Tips for Producing Your Docuseries
- Killer PitchSizzle ReelDon’t Make Reality TVSecure the Rights to the StoryBe Friendly, Don’t Be Their Friends
Related Resources
° NY Times Op-Doc,Policing Flint
Check out the short film that became the Netflix docuseries, Flint Town:
https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000004953212/policing-flint.html
° Watch the trailerfor Flint Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfNURrdgWTU
° Watch theT. Rexdocumentary trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkHGARt38Gw
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 27 Apr 2018 - 1h 01min - 152 - 70 – Crowdfunding for Your Documentary with Seed & Spark’s, Emily Best
Crowdfunding, nowadays, is one of the most common funding options out there for the documentary filmmaker. However, the crowdfunding playing field has evolved considerably since the early days of Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Take for instance, Seed & Spark.
A multitude of crowdfunding platforms now do different things, depending on your needs. And while the list of a doc filmmaker’s needs seems never-ending, it’s things like building an audience for your film, increasing your social media followers, and distribution options for your film, that are right at the top of any doc filmmaker’s list.
Which is what makes a crowdfunding platform like Seed & Spark such an attractive option. It has all of those things and more. It has been developed by industry leaders and is specifically geared to the independent filmmaker. And for today’s episode, we’ve brought on Seed & Spark founder and CEO, Emily Best, to talk about it.
Topics Discussed
how & why Seed & Spark was created to put the independent back in independent filmmakinghow a platform like Seed & Spark runs a unique educational program to ensure success before you run a campaign through their platformhow Seed & Spark rewards are all about gaining followers for your crowdfundSeed & Spark has an astonishing 80+ percent success rate with their crowdfund campaignsSeed & Spark has distro platform that pays the highest royalty rate of any digital distribution platformRelated Resources
#Doclifer Crowdfund
As referenced in the podcast episode, #DocLifer, Josh Davidsburg, is running a crowdfunding campaign for his film, Queen of the Capital, through Seed & Spark. Check out the trailer for his doc, then see what he did for his S & S campaign here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7G128nlbzA
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 20 Apr 2018 - 48min - 151 - 69 – The Art of Film Funding with Carole Lee Dean
It’s no secret that one of the bigger hurdles that we are often faced with as documentary filmmakers is that of funding. It is my intention with this episode to hopefully make things a little lighter for you, when it comes to finding funds for your documentary film.
There is a good chance that Carole Lee Dean is a name that either you know or you at least recognize. And for good reason. She has been embodying the independent film spirit and helping indie filmmakers – especially the doc makers who she has a particular affinity for – ever since she began running her non-profit organization, From the Heart Productions.
For years, From the Heart Productions has been helping documentary filmmakers get film funding through their Roy W. Dean Grant, Fiscal Sponsorship Program and the Intentional Filmmaking Class.
Carole is also the author of one of my fave books on film funding out there, The Art of Film Funding as well as the host of The Art of Film Funding podcast!
So you can imagine how excited I was to sit down with her and have a one-on-one about all-things funding for the documentary filmmaker!
Topics Discussed
the pretty cool story behind her father being the impetus behind the Roy W. Dean Grantsome best practices for approaching grant funding organizations, like the RWD Grantvarious film funding techniques discussed in the bookhow and why someone should apply for a fiscal sponsorship through FTH Productions
5 Common Funding Options for the Documentary Filmmaker
As promised in the episode, here are the 5 common funding options for the documentary filmmaker discussed in this epsiode
individual donationsgrants and foundationsbusinesses and corporationscrowdfundingfundraising eventsThe Art of Film Funding Book
For a much more thorough examination of some of the film funding topics that we discussed on the episode, you can purchase Carole’s book, The Art of Film Funding.
Roy W. Dean Grant
The Roy W. Dean Grant is a wonderful opportunity for you, #DocLifer, to apply for some funding and incredible in-kind services for your film. And it just so happens that the next deadline is only a couple of weeks away… April 30th!! So check out this handy video that provides some great insight & tips for applying for the grant!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUvfk9t9iWw
The Documentary Core Application Project
The D.C.A.P.is where we highly recommend beginning your documentary grant proposal writing, as many funding organisations either use this core template or something close to it!
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 13 Apr 2018 - 1h 01min - 150 - 68 – Wild Wild Documentary Life with Maclain and Chapman Way
Maclain and Chapman Way have recently directed, edited, produced one of the most talked about Netflix docuseries of the year, Wild Wild Country. They have become one of the hottest, most sought after doc filmmaking duos around.
Of course, their success didn’t happen overnight. From taking some calculated, but brazen risks with their first doc, The Battered Bastards of Baseball to taking two separate trips to Switzerland to woo the critical character of Ma Anand Sheela for Wild Wild Country to convincing the people over to Netflix that they had a great new idea for a docuseries, the Way brothers will inspire you to live and lead your doc lives in ways you probably haven’t yet thought of.
Which is why, after hearing our conversation with Mac & Chap, you will be left with the feeling that they are truly #doclifers, just like you and I.
Topics Discussed
the importance of taking risks, of investing in yourselfhow their sizzle reel landed them a Netflix deal for Wild Wild Countrytips for approaching a major digital distribution platform like Netflixhow working with Netflix editorially was a positive and beneficial experiencethe importance of making your doc an immersive, instead of simply informational experience
Film Trailers
° Watch the trailer for Wild Wild Country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBLS_OM6Puk
° Watch the trailer for The Battered Bastards of Baseball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA76b5Hhvxg
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 06 Apr 2018 - 1h 03min - 149 - 67 – Making the Personal Documentary with Michael Wiese
In this episode we are joined by someone who is well-acquainted with making personal documentaries, or as he refers to them, as spiritual documentaries.
Michael Wiese has been making documentary films for 40+ years and is also the founder/owner of the world’s biggest publisher of filmmaking books,Michael Wiese Productions.
He joins us to discuss the inspiring ways in which he has been living his #doclife, his memoir Onward & Updward: Reflections of a Joyful Life, how Parkinson’s has positively affected his approach to filmmaking and living his #doclife, and his own experiences as a filmmaker learning about the world and his connection to it, through his films and books.
This is a conversation that will resonate deeply with any doc filmmaker who has made the craft of filmmaking & storytelling a deep priority in their life.
5 Tips for Making the Personal Documentary
Often times as doc filmmakers, we will choose subjects that are near and dear to our hearts. And usually we will have quite personal connections to these subjects. So it’s only natural when we choose to make what is known as the personal documentary.
While some of the more powerful stories in documentary can be of a very personal nature, there are things that any doc filmmaker must consider before embarking on the personal documentary journey. We discuss 5 Tips for Making the Personal Documentary, which include:
Have way to film yourselfDecide how personal you’re willing to beChoose a topic you’re passionate aboutCan you be comfortable in front of the camera?Don’t over-explainRelated Resources
° Watch the trailer for The Shaman & Ayahuascua:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFhnm12znDI
° Watch the teaser for Michael’s memoir, Onward & Upward: Reflections of a Joyful Life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiSfjCeJ64Y
Own a copy of Onward & Upward
Journey to Kathmandu
If you are interested in watching TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst’s personal documentary, you can check out Journey to Kathmandu, a film that follows the once-in-a-lifetime journey that goats make from their farmland lives of goats in Tibet to their sacrificial deaths in Kathmandu, during the Nepalese holiday, Dashain.
Purchase of the Deluxe Director’s & Goat’s Edition comes loaded with behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, shorts, and deleted scenes. Regardless if you’re simply looking for more info on the making of J2K’or you’re a budding independent filmmaker (or just a fan of goats!), this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys gaining insight into what goes into the making of an independent documentary in a developing country.
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 30 Mar 2018 - 1h 00min - 148 - 66 – Making Your Splash as a Documentary Filmmaker with Kelly Richmond Pope
We welcome CPA, Professor of Accountancy, fraud expert, and documentary filmmaker, Kelly Richmond Pope to the programme. Kelly comes highly recommended by other Kartemquin alum, and once you’ve heard this frank and open conversation about how she lives her doc life, you will surely understand why!
Topics Discussed
how a separate profession can lend itself very directly to your documentary life and filmsimportance of creating your own splash when it comes to festivals and distributionhow it’s actually more important to overestimate in your film budget proposalsdefinition of success is not what you thought it was as a doc filmmakerusing your film topic to align yourself with sponsors who will pay for your community screenings
Related Resources
In our episode, Kelly Richmond Pope talks about how she teaches accounting through the lens of film and fraud. Below you can watch a recent TedX where Kelly discusses why we hate the whistleblower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1OoFvcTess&t=417s
° Watch a trailer for Kelly Richmond Pope’s All the Queen’s Horses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q57ZKn-C-To
Nothing But The Truth
Check out Kelly’s brand new podcast, Nothing But the Truth:
Nothing But The Truth is a podcast that investigates fraud from the inside out. Taking us on a journey through fascinating stories of corruption and whistle-blowing told straight from the source, co-hosts forensic accounting professor Kelly Pope and conscious millennial sound editor Tim Edson challenge us to rethink what we “know” about victims and perps. In each episode, listeners grapple with the question: could you commit this crime, or tell on someone who does?
The Young Filmmaker
In the episode I talked about receiving an email from a 16 year old Luther Clayton who has been inspired by TDL to go out and create his own adventure doc series, The Adventure Diaries. Watch his mission video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=jl-JHo5LKJM
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 23 Mar 2018 - 52min - 147 - 65 – The Other Side of the Doc Camera with Up Series’, Nick Hitchon
In our first 64 episodes of this podcast we have touched upon a host of documentary-related topics and spoken with a variety of guests. However, until now, we’d never spoken with someone who has been on the other side of the documentary camera. And what better documentary subject to have this conversation with than an Up Series alum, who has been on all eight installments of the documentary film series.
William Nicholas Hitchon, or Nick, as he’s known in the Up Series, comes on the show to talk directly to the very people – us #doclifers! – who are making the films about documentary subjects.
Topics Discussed:
the responsibility of the doc filmmaker in portraying their subjectreality tv vs documentary seriesawareness of culture you’re shooting in as well as culture where it will be presentedimportance of sensitivity to how a film can impact the subject’s lives, often in ways neer anticipatedhow Nick was first cast in the landmark Up Series5 Ways to Shoot Verite
So many documentary films have been shot employing a verite style. But there can be a misconception that verite might be an easy or worse, lazy, way of shooting.
On the contrary, verite must be given the proper thought and attention as any other way of shooting a film. And the following list of ways in which to do so will be helpful to you as you move forward with your verite doc:
Have a planRoll on everythingBe ready to goAnticipate conversationsUse a deep depth of fieldSupporting TDL Blog Post:
Documentary Filmmakers & Films of Verite
Related Resources
View the first installment of the Up Series in its entirety:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LQZpiSfESE&index=1&list=PLIGJJ9cTc6TXcusb4CcEzucoRRe-79qny
Articles
You can read this great IDA article about the Up Series
Read more about Nick Hitchon’s experience with the series, check out an article run in Independent
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Fri, 16 Mar 2018 - 58min - 146 - 64 – Margaret Byrne Leads a Documentary Life
No other guest that we’ve yet had on the show exemplifies what we’ve been defining over the past 21 months here on TDL as living and leading a documentary life, quite as well as Raising Bertie filmmaker, Margaret Byrne.
Margaret went from working for MTV Networks in the US and then setting up the first MTV Network in Africa, working with Mary J. Blige and her production company, to eventually deciding to leave the New York life behind, moving to Chicago and starting making her own documentary films.
Her story of how and why she decided to this, her story of seven years working on the Kartemquin co-produced award-winning doc, Raising Bertie, is one of the most real and accessible conversations that I’ve ever had with someone on the show.
Find out why and how Margaret Byrne is truly leading a documentary life.
Topics Discussed
life considerations + sacrifices made to be a documentary filmmakerhow + why it took seven years to make Raising Bertiehow the original story for Raising Bertiewhy she has chosen to stay close with her subjects long after filminglife as a single mom #DocLifer
Related Resources
° Watch the trailer for Raising Bertie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbhiPQXGb4c
° Watch Margaret discuss Raising during the Atlanta Film Festival.
(Thanks to fellow #DocLifer and HeartFireFilm’s Rich Gedney for the piece!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNiSaFMIr2A
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Rate and Review
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Fri, 09 Mar 2018 - 53min - 145 - 63 – Stories Make the World with Documentary Writer/Producer, Stephen Most
Storytelling is always at the heart of any kind of documentary journey. And for today’s episode of the podcast, we will explore 5 Ways to Tell Someone’s Story, followed by a shared conversation with, Stephen Most, who has been working in documentary for 40+ years and he has had a hand in the writing and/or producing of four documentary films that were nominated for an Academy Award. Stephen has just released his new book, Stories Make the World: Reflections on Storytelling and the Art of the Documentary.
Topics Discussed
how & why storytelling is an essential part of the human experiencehow doc filmmaking gives extraordinary access to the world’s most intimate storiesimportance of truly listening to our subjects + their stories during the interviewwhy interviewing with a sound recorder might sometimes work better than on-cameraWays to Tell The Story
Some of the ways, as we discuss in this episode, in which you can tell someone’s story in your documentary film:
archival photos/footagetestimonialsfind the detailsbecome the explorersilence is okayRelated Resources
Watch the trailers for Stephen Most’s documentary films:
° Nature’s Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdqBUXyZPF4
° River of Renewal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq7kYfkaQ10
° Oil on Ice
https://vimeo.com/43694943
Watch the trailer for Stephen Most’s book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJqlsqnykSs
Own a copy of Stories Make The World
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Fri, 02 Mar 2018 - 58min - 144 - Career Doc Filmmaker + 2018 Academy Award Nominee, Steve James
So what exactly does one say to one of the most respected documentary filmmakers of our time?
What does one say to the man who literally inspired countless future doc filmmakers when his film Hoop Dreams took the world by storm in 1994?
What do you say to the man who has made a career out of telling some of the most human, humane, and heart wrenching stories about some of the neglected and forgotten and misunderstood amongst us?
And what do you say to the man who was just nominated for a 2018 Best Documentary Oscar for his film Abacus: Small Enough to Jail?
Well, I suppose that’s why you’ve tuned in to this very special episode of The Documentary Life, an episode where we sit down for a heart-to-heart, one doc filmmaker to another conversation with documentary legend, Steve James.
Topics Discussed
keys to longevity as a doc filmmakerthe filmmaker’s responsibilities after being nominated for an Academy Awardhow Steve started out working as a Production Assistant, and how he nearly quitimportance of being paid for your time in your grant proposal budgetswhether or not it’s necessary to build your story around a conflict
Related Resources
Watch for free: Abacus: Small Enough To Jail
Watch the Film Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH4OMyYzjZ0
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Episode #62 is brought to you with support from BlackBox Global, creators of one of the easiest way to turn your filmmaking skills into passive income!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
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Fri, 23 Feb 2018 - 1h 04min - 143 - Filming in Extreme Weather Conditions with Doc Filmmaker, Anthony Powell
Filming in extreme environments as a doc filmmaker can be a challenging thing. Shooting in Antarctica? A whole other ballgame. Just ask Anthony Powell, who has been working on the continent for over a decade, and has recently released the award-winning doc Antarctica: A Year on Ice. He has taken what started out as a hobby shooting timelapses of the Antarctica skies and terrain, and turned it into a fulfilling career as a preeminent Director of Photography and doc filmmaker on the continent.
We had the pleasure of holding conversation with Anthony (or Antz, as he’s known to his friends and colleagues) for this week’s episode of the podcast.
Topics Discussed
shooting in extreme cold environshow the cold affects your camera gearhow to shoot better timelapseshow to live and work in Antarctica for a full calendar year
5 Tips for Shooting in Hot Environments & Harsh Sunlight
While I don’t necessarily have much experience in the colder extremes of the world, I do have plenty of experience working in the opposite spectrum of the thermometer. So in our opening segment I lay out 5 Tips for Shooting in Hot Environments & Harsh Sunlight.
- Don’t shoot in middle of the dayKeep your camera coolWear appropriate clothingWear sunscreenBring a photo reflector
Related Resources
Anthony Powell’s timelapses and other videos:
https://vimeo.com/136179939
https://vimeo.com/93102009
https://vimeo.com/38416148
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Fri, 16 Feb 2018 - 53min - 142 - ‘Directing the Documentary’ with Michael Rabiger
If there ever was a Bible for documentary filmmaking, for my money, it would have to be Michael Rabiger‘s Directing the Documentary. The shear volume of books, online courses, podcasts, and How-to Youtube videos that are out there for the indie filmmaker who producers narrative film is probably in the cajillions. However, the amount of material…
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 - 55min - 141 - Film Funding & Distribution with ‘Big Sonia’ Filmmakers
Film marketing & promotions, crowdfunding, and theatrical distribution are topics that, at some point in time, all independent doc filmmakers will need to know about. So if you’re looking to start arming yourself with some knowledge that’s going to potentially culminate in a successful release and maybe even in theatrical distribution then this is the show for you. Among other things we give you 5 tips for crowdfunding.
Two filmmakers who know this journey as well as anyone and are currently having spectacular success with their independent documentary film is Leah Warshawski & Todd Soliday. Their current film, Big Sonia, has not only won over twelve film festival awards, played theatrically in a number of cities, but just this past week set a new record for the all-time highest grossing film to ever play the Glenwood Arts Theatre in Kansas City.
Topics Discussed
Crowdfunding strategies outside of the Kickstarter & Indiegogo platformsHow to run a successful promotions campaign for your theatrical screeningsHow a company like Film Sprout can propel your film to outreach and screeningsHow to film particularly sensitive scenes
Film Trailer
Watch the trailer for Big Sonia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe1Mq_en-XY
Related Resources
A boutique distribution firm that helps social-issue filmmakers create
robust community and campus screening initiatives for their documentaries. This was a service that Leah & Todd used for their doc, Big Sonia.They spoke glowingly of the work that Film Sprout did in getting Sonia out into the world!
A rewards-based crowdfunding platform that Todd & Leah were very happy with while working together during their crowdfund campaign. They may be a nice fit for your own campaign!
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Fri, 02 Feb 2018 - 1h 03min - 140 - The Importance of IDA for the Doc Filmmaker with Simon Kilmurry
The International Documentary Association (IDA) has been nurturing, guiding, and contributing to the projects and lives of documentary filmmakers since its inception in 1982. In the organisation’s words However, for many of us doc filmmakers who are not really connected to IDA, it can seem like a daunting or even elite organisation if we don’t…
Fri, 26 Jan 2018 - 54min - 139 - How to Make a Music Documentary with Ian McFarland
How to Make a Music Documentary
The music documentary has a long history as well as a special place in my heart when it comes to documentary films. A couple of my favourite docs of the past few years have fallen into this category. I love geeking out on the programmes about how bands made their most famous albums. The first conversation with an industry guest that we ever had on the show was with John Pirozzi and his music documentary, Don’t Think Ive Forgotten. My wife, Steph, and I are in the middle of making our own music documentary, Elvis of Cambodia. So it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that I’m a big proponent of the music doc, since it’s basically the crossroads of two of my biggest passions: film and music.
What may surprise you is the number of sub-categories that fall into the music documentary genre. Docs about the making-of albums, docs about the music or musician, docs about a musician’s following, docs about specific instruments, docs about the history of a type of music, etc. The list goes on.
Ian McFarland, a musician and director of commercials, music videos, and documentary films, recently is making some big noise – it played Doc NYC and a slew of other name festivals – with his latest music documentary, The Godfathers of Hardcore , a film about two boyhood friends who would go on to lead one of New York’s most recognizable hardcore bands, Agnostic Front. It’s a candid conversation that happens to be one of my faves in a long time (I know, surprise, surprise, I get to talk about music and film!). There is a lot here, especially for aspiring or current music doc makers.
Topics Discussed
How documentary filmmaking is not just a creative endeavour, it’s a lifestyleHow to approach a known band with your doc ideaA rather unique approach to filming interviews without using a camera
Related Resources
Keep in touch with Ian and his film:
Facebook @thegodfathersofhardcore
Instagram: @thegodfathersofhardcoremovie
Twitter: @godfathersofhc
Film Trailers
° Watch Ian McFarland’s film trailer – The Godfathers of Hardcore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJCqQQbq9Fc
° Watch the trailer for one of the best music documentaries of recent years, Searching for Sugarman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDw7OqVBT-w
° Watch trailer for music documentary,The Devil and Daniel Johnston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJZOe65eA4Y
° Watch trailer for music Documentary,Anvil! The Story of Anvil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=ZHupiYvm8zo
° Watch teaser for our own music documentary (currently in production) Elvis of Cambodia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=GAqkmUKoEMY
° Watch in its entirety short documentary, Heavy Metal Parking Lot
https://vimeo.com/152843738
Watch the Gram Parsons documentary, Gram Parsons: Fallen Angel, in its entirety.
#Doclifer of the Week
Scott Link, and his current project If My Judges Are Ready? Check out more information about #DocLifer Scott’s film by visiting his website. We found Scott because he’s been so active on the TDL Community Group on facebook. You should consider joining too! It’s an amazingly supportive and informative community that is growing every day… and therefore needs YOU, fellow #DocLifer!
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Fri, 19 Jan 2018 - 1h 04min - 138 - How to Shoot a MicroDoc with Preeti Mankar Deb
The short form documentary aka micro documentary has been one of the emerging forms of filmmaking over the past decade. The demand and acceptance for this type of content has been so great that even major commercial brands are now hiring doc filmmakers to produce micro docs to be used on social media and Youtube…
Fri, 12 Jan 2018 - 56min - 137 - How to Write Your Documentary Film Grant Proposal with Joanna Rabiger
How to Write Your Documentary Grant Proposal For the documentary filmmaker, obtaining a grant to do one’s film can sometimes feel akin to the quest for the Holy Grail. And so sitting down to actually construct a well-crafted documentary grant proposal can sometimes feel too overwhelming or intimidating a task. Which is why this episode…
Fri, 05 Jan 2018 - 1h 06min - 136 - TDL Highlights of 2017
Highlights of 2017 As 2017 draws to a close, it feels like a good time to look back in honor and reflection on the year that was here at TDL, and to then look forward to what will be in 2018. As we did last year, we took some choice clips from our shared…
Fri, 29 Dec 2017 - 1h 01min - 135 - 5 Advantages to Shooting Solo + Conversation with iPhone Doc Filmmaker, Jack Ballo
5 Advantages to Shooting Solo as a Doc Filmmaker
Whether by necessity or aesthetic choice, we doc filmmakers often shoot our projects with minimal crew and gear, sometimes even opting to go entirely solo. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to such an approach. We’ll take a look at 5 Advantages to Shooting Solo as a Doc Filmmaker.
Podcast Conversation
In our shared conversation, we’ll talk with filmmaker Jack Ballo, who has recently been making waves with his latest doc, Brothers, a film that he shot entirely with his iPhone!
how shooting a film with an iPhone was initially an exercise that turned into something biggerwhy shooting with your iPhone allows the filmmaker to concentrate on the filming, instead of their gearhow shooting with an iPhone almost makes the filmmaker invisible to his/her subjectswhy Jack may never go back to using his “professional” gear ever againFilm Trailers
You can check out trailers to two of Jack Ballo’s films, including his feature-length doc, Destiny’s Bridgeand his latest iPhone doc, Brothers. And when you’re finished there, feel free to head on over to Jack’s DIY Documentary blog. Lots of posts about Do It Yourself Documentary Filmmaking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaWnFdy6-aA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ9xbregii8
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Fri, 22 Dec 2017 - 1h 05min - 134 - 5 Things to Look For in a Fiscal Sponsorship + Conversation with The Film Festival Doctor
5 Things to Look For in a Fiscal Sponsorship The fiscal sponsorship is one of the more critical aspects of a doc filmmaker’s success when seeking funds for their film. And we take a look at 5 things that can help you decide who might be a good fit as your fiscal sponsor. We discuss:…
Fri, 15 Dec 2017 - 55min - 133 - The Imposter Syndrome + Conversation with Doc Filmmaker, Lourdes Portillo
Do you consider yourself a documentary filmmaker or is that a term that you are hesitant to give yourself?
Is there something that is holding you back from your first documentary film?
Perhaps what’s keeping you from being a doc filmmaker, or making your doc film, or living your doc life, is something called imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is a concept that basically describes the inability of an individual to internalize one’s accomplishments as well as having a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. And I’m convinced that so many of us doc filmmakers experience this at some point in time in our own doc lives. Which is what we’ll take a look at in our opening segment of today’s podcast.
Topics Discussed
Definition of imposter syndrome and how it applies to us #doclifersWhy you are already a filmmaker qualified to make a documentaryHow you can overcome the fear that you are under-qualified to make your doc filmPodcast Conversation
In our shared conversation, I sat down with Academy Award and Emmy Award-nominated doc filmmaker, Lourdes Portillo. On the eve of her being awarded the prestigious International Documentary Association (IDA)’s Career Achievement Award, we have a frank and open conversation about the state of documentary: what it has meant for her in her life as well as what it might mean for future doc filmmakers and..
how she became an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker with her first film without ever having any prior filmmaking experiencehow aspiring filmmakers today make the mistake of concentrating on all of the shiny and latest camera gear and forget the most important element to a documentary: storyadvice for writing your first grants for your first projectswhat it means to be awarded an IDA Career Achievement AwardFilm Trailer
Trailer for Lourdes Portillo’s brilliant personal documentary The Devil Never Sleeps (as discussed in the episode)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA_jAVoY2qY
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Fri, 08 Dec 2017 - 1h 00min - 132 - 5 Ways to Nurture Your Doc Life + Conversation with Doc Filmmaker, Rebecca Dreyfus
5 Ways to Nurture Your Doc Life
There are many ways that we documentary filmmakers take care of ourselves, or perhaps maybe more aptly put, do not take care of ourselves. And with the long hours, sometimes limited budgets, sometimes other day jobs, family life, you name it.. it’s no wonder that we doc lifers sometimes tend to neglect our emotional and physical well being.
Which is why I’m here to give you a little primer to help steer you back to the path of emotional, physical, and creative success in your own doc life.
Podcast Conversation
Documentary filmmaker (and big proponent of meditation!), Rebecca Dreyfus joined me in our shared Conversation. Dreyfus has been working in documentary for 20 years, since her first feature, Bye-Bye Babushka first came on the scene and was quickly noticed by documentary legend, Albert Maysles, who would then go on to be lead camera in Dreyfus’ critically-acclaimed follow-up, Stolen. A mentorship would soon blossom from this collaboration.
Dreyfus’ current documentary film, On Meditation, takes a look at the age-old practice of meditation as told through the eyes of established names who attribute the practice to much of their personal and professional success.
Topics Discussed
the value of true persistence as a documentary filmmakerthe importance of a mentor and how to go about finding onekey advice for first-time documentary filmmakerswhat part the practice of meditation plays in the creative processRelated Resources
° Watch the trailer for Rebecca Dreyfus’ On Meditation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1_g5F_mp14
° Trailer for the acclaimed documentary film Stolen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG0-st-5H6E
#DocLifer of the Week
As mentioned in our #DocLifer Community Question of the Week, check out the trailer for fellow #DocLifer, Jaime’s current documentary project, Masters of Mahjong
https://vimeo.com/220673394
Sponsors & Thank You’s
Free Music Archive–Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied the song Whatever for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artist’s music by going to Free Music Archive today!
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Fri, 01 Dec 2017 - 1h 11min - 131 - 5 Things to Be Thankful for In Your Doc Life + Conversation with Wildlife Filmmaker, Zoltan Torok
Zoltan Torok is one of the world’s premiere wildlife filmmakers. He spends days, sometimes weeks-on-end in some of the most remote regions of the earth, behind some of the most fantastical-looking camera setups, in order to bring you mere seconds of footage of some animal species that neither you nor just about anyone else has ever seen before.
For our shared conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with him about thisoften appreciated but not fully understood niche of cinema known as wildlife documentary.
Topics Discussed
why spending time in nature is just as important as learning the techniques of filmmaking for an aspiring wildlife filmmakerwhat the responsibility is for a wildlife filmmaker to show the reality of certain wildlife settingshow preparation, research, and patience are critical components to the wildlife filmmaker’s workthe precarious, sometimes dangerous situations that a wildlife filmmaker might find themselves in3 things needed to start becoming a wildlife filmmaker5 Things to Be Thankful for In Your Doc Life
Here in the USA, we are in the midst of our Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a time where we get together with family and/or friends, share an extravagant meal, and we reflect on the love and appreciation that we have for the people that we have in our lives.
I thought what better way to express the gratitude that I have for you, #doclifers, as well as the appreciation that I have for being able to live my doc life, than to open up this week’s podcast with a segment that examines5 things that all of us #doclifers can be truly thankful for.
After listening to the episode, I do hope that you’ll consider leaving some comments about what you might be thankful for in your own doc life!
Related Resources
Watch the amazing full length wildlife documentary, WILD HUNGARY: A Water Wonderland, a film that has specific scenes that are referenced in this episode!
https://vimeo.com/153106452/d726db627e
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Fri, 24 Nov 2017 - 1h 04min - 130 - How to Become a Professional Editor with Inside the Edit’s, Paddy Bird
If editing were something we could learn from a manual or Youtubevideos, we could all become great storytellers in fairly short order. We could just sit down, learn a few keys, maybe read a theory book or two, and we’d be off, right? But editing, of course, does not work like that.
If you want to truly learn how to become a professional-level editor you’re going to not only need to immerse yourself in the right movies, read the right books, study examples of editing techniques, but you’re also going to need to learn some much deeper layers of the editing process.
Enter editing extraordinaire, Paddy Bird, who has taken his 20+ yrs of editing in television and documentary film, and come up with the mostcomprehensive, thought-provoking, ingenious way to learn how to edit. And he has distilled it into an online course known as Inside the Edit, a program that today is making massive waves in the world of post production.
Topics Discussed
Paddy Bird’s journey as a professional editorhow editing the documentary is far more complex than narrativehow to speak the language of editinghow to have good communication, even with a difficult directorhow Paddy’s programme, Inside the Edit, is THE comprehensive course for learning how to become a professional editorRelated Resources
° What Does The Editor Do?
If you want the best definition of what an editor does, you must check out this video that the good people of Inside the Edit put together. This is literally so spot-on it hurts. I will forever direct people to this video who want to know why an editor is one of the most important elements to a film.
https://vimeo.com/90125079
° Is Inside The Edit Right For You?
Watch this video to learn more about the course and decide if it’s right for you..
https://vimeo.com/103516764
Offer For #DocLifers
Paddy has very generously offered #DocLifers a 25% discount on his ground-breaking creative editing course, Inside The Edit. To apply the discount simply enter MYDOCLIFE at checkout.
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Fri, 17 Nov 2017 - 1h 11min - 129 - 5 Best Ways to Market and Distribute Your Documentary + Conversation with Doc Filmmaker, Nathan Fitch
5 Best Ways to Market and Distribute Your Documentary
After all of the time, energy, and money spent getting one’s documentary film to completion, how does an independent documentary filmmaker market and distribute their doc once it’s finished? In this week’s opening segment we’ll discuss 5 best ways to market and distribute your documentary.
Podcast Conversation
And in our shared conversation, we talk with Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective alum, Nathan Fitch, whose documentary, Island Soldier, is making big waves on the documentary film circuit, including stops at Full Frame, Hot Docs, and this week, in DocNYC. Among topics discussed:
How a stint in the Peace Corps led to his documentary filmmaking careerThe importance of becoming entrenched with a community that you’d like to filmHow one goes about applying to film with the militaryHow the documentary life is not an easy one, but it’s a worthy oneRelated Resources
Watch the trailer for Island Solider
https://vimeo.com/203928301
Impact Producer
Learn more about Impact Producer position & download free booklet & video! The Impact Field Guide & Toolkit
Places to discover more about the Impact Producer and these entities can help get your film the outreach that it deserves:
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Fri, 10 Nov 2017 - 56min - 128 - 5 Ways to Edit More Efficiently + Conversation with Doc Filmmaker, C. Fitz
5 Ways to Edit More Efficiently
To edit a documentary can be a tricky, sometimes frustrating business, even for the more seasoned veterans. But for the less experienced, the edit can just be a downright intimidating, or worse, even project-ending phase.
We, of course, do not want this to happen to any of you. So for the opening salvo of this week’s episode, we’ve put together a list of suggestions that will not only help ease your editing pain, but it should get you to be able to edit in a more efficient manner!
Podcast Conversation
In our conversation this week, we spoke with television & marketing vet, commercial and documentary filmmaker, C. Fitz, who while finishing up on her first doc (ShowGirls, Provincetown, MA), came across instant inspiration for her latest documentary, Jewel’s Catch One, in the form of her awe-inspiring and charismatic subject, Jewel Thais-Williams.
Topics Discussed
can documentary films truly create change?how can our documentary subjects sometimes inspire us as people?how her reality tv experience informed her documentary workhow social media is now critical to a documentary filmmakerRelated Resources
As mentioned in our opening segment on 5 Ways to Edit More Efficiently, number four was Create a Drive Infrastructure. As promised, I’ve taken a screenshot of the drive infrastructure that I always use on projects. Feel free to use yourself. Play around with it, see what works for you, what doesn’t, add or subtract folders as you see fit. And by all means, share with us some of your drive infrastructure ideas, by leaving a comment below!
Film Trailer
Watch the trailer for Jewel’s Catch One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXlSVZdYQ2w
Help Jewel
Please consider helping get C. Fitz and Jewel Thais-Williams get Jewel’s Catch One out and into the world by making a contribution of any size to their GoFundMe campaign.
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Fri, 03 Nov 2017 - 1h 04min - 127 - Taking the Leap of Faith with Your Doc + Conversation with Filmmakers of The After Hours Club Series
Believing in yourself as a documentary filmmaker is critical to seeing one’s documentary project through. With so many pitfalls and obstacles along the way, not to mention a multitude of different aspects and phases to the craft of filmmaking, how does one even get to the pre-production phase of making a documentary film, let alone see it all the way through? Well, taking a giant Leap of Faith would be a great way to start.
Taking and staying with your Leap of Faith, is one of the most powerful things that you can do for yourself as a documentary filmmaker. After all, if you don’t fully believe in your capability to pull off making a film, why should anyone else?
And in our first segment of episode #45, I take a look at what it means to take the Leap of Faith, how the faith grows as you practice it, and what you can do, as a filmmaker, in order to both, take that initial leap, and then continue the faith all the way through completion of your project.
Podcast Conversation
In our world nothing can be more certain than death and… film. No, really. Just ask the guys who have recently produced and distributed (for free!) the new six-part documentary series that explores the various cultures of death in America. Their series is called The After Hours Club, and for this week’s documentary industry guest segment, I had the pleasure of sitting down with both executive producer Morgan St. Knight, as well as director of photography, Christian Monckeberg (MTechProMedia), who had much to say about producing and selling a web series that revolves around a subject, that for most is a tad scary, if not downright taboo.
Topics Discussed
how and why Morgan, an industry vet with 25 years of television experience, decided to break away from the pack and produce the type of series that most would only scoff atwhy Morgan felt that it was important to have all crew members actually be a part of the filmhow DoP, Christian, went from years of corporate video, and took the leap of faith and joined on to shoot for The After Hours Clubwhy the filmmakers believe that distributing season one for free on the internet is the right call for the project#DocLifer Meetup Group – North Carolina
As mentioned in episode #45, if you’re in the North Carolina area and are interested in joining #DocLifer Julie’s documentary filmmaking meetup group, click HERE.
Also mentioned in the episode was the Bechdel Test. You can check out some info as well as find out what films score high on the Bechdel by going HERE.
Related Resources
Watch the debut episode of The After Hours Clubseries:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-u4qYImohk
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Fri, 27 Oct 2017 - 1h 02min - 126 - How to Be a One Person Crew + Conversation with Filmmaker & Co-founder of Kartemquin Films, Gordon Quinn
Gordon Quinn has been making documentary films for over 50+ years with his landmark company, Kartemquin Films.
You may not know his name, but you’ve most likely seen one, if not a number of the films that he has been associated with. His impact has been so extensive and so broad in the field of documentary, that International Documentary Association (IDA) gave him the Career Achievement Award in 2015.
I had the distinct pleasure of holding a conversation with Mr. Quinn this week and we covered a number of topics including:
the need and formation for Kartemquinhow the Oscar-nominated Hoop Dreams influenced a generation of doc filmmakers and filmgoershow the executive producer role for docs is vastly different than with narrative featureswhether or not documentary can truly make positive social changeHow to Be a One Person Crew
In the opening segment, I decided to take a cue from fellow #DocLifer, Richard Simko, he sent official request for TDL to do a show that talks about the one person crew. It is not exactly a rare event when we documentary filmmakers sometimes find ourselves having to work on our projects all on our own. We become the shooter, sound person, director, interviewer, editor.
I examine some of the best ways in which we, the one person crew, can make the most effective films with the smallest amount of man power. Some of the topics covered:
how to best pack and transport your gearsecret audio tips for the solo filmmakerhow to appear as if you’ve shot with two camerashow to stay powered upArticle
Indiewire wrote an article about the pros and cons of the One Person Crew.
Related Resources
Watch the trailer for Kartemquin‘s Oscar-nominated Hoop Dreams:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=Ph2Y-epihlk
In the show we talk about packing and transporting one’s gear. Well, if you’re looking for a cheap and decent camera cart alternative check out filmmaker Lee Clements’ handmade camera cart!
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Fri, 20 Oct 2017 - 1h 12min - 125 - What Do You Want, #DocLifer? + Conversation with The Multimedia Ninja, Bradford Rogers
For today’s episode of TDL I’m going to do something a little different. Today, I’m going to be asking you, my fellow #doclifer, some questions. I’d like to discover a little bit more about who you are, friend.
° What sorts of things are you doing to best support your #doclife?
° Are you working in the film/tv industry, while you pursue your passion of documentary filmmaking?
° Perhaps you’re quite consciously doing something entirely unrelated to video production, in an effort to make sure and never view filmmaking as work?
Let’s discuss this, shall we?
Podcast Conversation
And in our shared conversation with a doc industry guest person, we talk with the multi-talented Bradford Rogers, aka The Multimedia Ninja, among other things, about:
what it means to be a multimedia personhow/why storytelling plays a part in all of a multimedia person’s mediumshow the freelance filmmaker can obtain more work via Upwork.comhow podcasting is another way that a filmmaker can tell storyRelated Resources
The Multimedia Ninja’s podcast. I might recommend listening to his newer style format – hinted at in this episode – which started out during Hurricane Irma. Damn You, Irma!
Check out Upwork.com to discover some ways in which you, #DocLifer, might be able to put some of your filmmaking experience to good use!
#DocLifer Community Question of the Week
#DocLifer Jonathan, wrote in, setting me square on my assumption that basically all tv news B-roll was not very good. Jonathan was not only kind enough to correct me, but he also sent in some links for all of us to take a look at. These are pieces of work that emanated from the television news station that he works at. Thanks for passing these on to us, Jonathan!!
° A man made his own Ninja Warrior course to practice for the show:
https://vimeo.com/171451107
° A well-loved local fire chief who supported a baseball program. This was the first game since he passed:
https://vimeo.com/221979419
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Fri, 06 Oct 2017 - 58min - 124 - How Our Docs Can Make the World a Better Place + BlackBox founder, filmmaker, Pat McGowan
In this increasingly growing world of content creators, but ever shrinking world of actual distributors who allow you to retain at least some rights to your work, how can the independent documentary filmmaker best work with the big boys of content distribution like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube?
Well, film/tv industry vet, Patrick McGowan, believes that he has an answer. And it is his company, BlackBox. A company that is poised to change the very paradigm in which creatives make the work and all, in turn, co-own the work, and then forever make money on their work.
Podcast Conversation
In our shared conversation, Pat shares, among other things, his reasons why we, as creatives, should all be wary of selling our films and shows to the Netflix’s and Amazons of the world, lest we become commodities of our own industry.
Pat sees user-generated & owned content as the future and he’s built a platform that helps creators do just that. It’s an engaging conversation that will make you think about how you approach your work, who you collaborate with, and how you can all best make a living selling your work.
How are we making films in a way to be creating some impetus for change?
In our opening segment, I take a look at the idea of documentary film as a means for creating awareness and perhaps even some positive change in the world. How are we making films in a way to be creating some impetus for change? Many of us are using our films as a tool for social activism. But what about those who simply want to create a story, and any sort of awareness or change for an issue, is secondary to that story, at best? I would argue that both can be equally as effective in opening the hearts and minds of the world around us. And that collectively, we as documentary filmmakers are having some positive impact on the world around us… one film at a time.
Related Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAGp0j57LNE
Go to BlackBox, Create a Free Account, and start selling your footage today!
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Fri, 29 Sep 2017 - 58min
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