Episodes
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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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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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 Factory
Additional ResourcesTrailer 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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Missing episodes?
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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 Honeyland
Additional ResourcesFREE 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 over HERE for 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 YousMusic 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-WordToday'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-WORDWHAT IS THE D-WORD
The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker
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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 life
Additional ResourcesTrailer 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-WordToday'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-WORDWHAT 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
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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 filmmakers
Additional ResourcesRead for yourself IDA's The Ethics of Documentary Production in a Pandemic
Continuing the Discussion with The D-WordToday'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-WORDWHAT 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...
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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 told
Additional ResourcesTeaser, And She Could Be Next
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPgO1J-Y2DY
Continuing the Discussion with The D-WordToday'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-WORDWHAT 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | -
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 filmmaker
Additional ResourcesTeaser for Silicone Soul
https://vimeo.com/350156250
Check out the full roster of this year's Melbourne Documentary Film Festival!
Sponsors & Thank YousMusic 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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Mickey Lemle has 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 world
Additional ResourcesTeaser for The Last Dalai Lama?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_Rpg_36ig
Teaser for Compassion in Exile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDXbAPx2kew
To check out Mickey Lemle's full roster of DOCUMENTARY FILMS.
Sponsors & Thank YousMusic 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your...
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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 Rewind
Additional ResourcesTeaser for Rewind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx0q7ETJRAI
The D-WordHey, #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 YousMusic 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...
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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 subject
Additional ResourcesTeaser for Return to Mt. Kennedy
https://vimeo.com/268848753
Sponsors & Thank YousMusic 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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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 channel
Additional ResourcesFrom 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's PATREON PAGE to help support him!
Sponsors & Thank YousMusic 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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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 there
Additional ResourcesWatch the Religion of Sports' The Great Brady Heist in its entirety!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I29ZMIOZwX0
Sponsors & Thank YousMusic 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the
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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 composer
Additional ResourcesSponsors & 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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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 coronavirus
Additional ResourcesThe 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
Sponsors & Thank YousMusic 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
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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 film
Additional ResourcesPlease 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!
SubscribeApple | -
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 film
Additional ResourcesTrailer 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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Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the
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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 FestivalGive a good hookGet great soundEnter fests earlyEvoke emotionUse Film FreewayTopics 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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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 Ukraine
Additional ResourcesTrailer for The Russian Fivehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X74BexWy4iw
Sponsors & Thank YousATHOS 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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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 abroad
Additional ResourcesFive Tips for Solo Filmmaking Travelbook smart flights, not cheap flightsfly with your camerapack sustenance and vit Cpack change of clothingtaxi or rideshare
Essential Travel Doc Filmmaking Gear ListIn 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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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 WorkshopsDid 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!
SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |
Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!
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