Episode 199 | Joe Amodei Returns with Cannes Report - Part II
Release Date: 06/22/2023
Episode 223 | Documenting the $40 Billion Industry of NFTs
Documentary First
In this episode, Christian Taylor interviews Nicholas Bruckman, the director of the documentary film 'Minted'. They discuss the film, which explores the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and the artists who have embraced this new technology. Bruckman shares how he discovered the story and gained access to the artists involved. The film follows digital artists on their journey of navigating the rise and fall of the NFT market. Bruckman also reflects on the challenges of documentary filmmaking and the importance of telling meaningful stories. The conversation explores the challenges of...
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Episode 222 | The Crazy World of "Mad Props"
Documentary First
In this episode, Christian provides an update on company developments and announces the upcoming trailer for our next documentary, "Heroes of Carentan." She gives an exclusive about the limited theatrical release of "The Girl Who Wore Freedom." Special guests, Tom Biolchini and Juan Pablo Reinoso, producer, director, and writer of "Mad Props," delve into the origins of "Mad Props," detailing its evolution from a TV show concept to a full-fledged documentary. Juan shares insights into his career and how his reunion with Tom sparked their collaboration on this project. The discussion explores...
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Episode 221 | Meaningful Stories w/ Alex Ivany of Ifine: Beauty
Documentary First
In this episode, host Christian Taylor interviews Alex Ivany, a visual storyteller, about his journey in the documentary filmmaking industry. Alex shares his passion for social and racial justice, which led him to work on projects that shed light on marginalized communities. He discusses his role as a producer and editor on the film "Ifine: Beauty", which explores the issue of skin bleaching in Sierra Leone. Alex also provides tips for aspiring filmmakers, emphasizing the importance of networking, continuous learning, and finding a mentor. The episode concludes with a call to support the film...
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Episode 220 | Directing Going to Mars
Documentary First
In this episode, Christian Taylor interviews Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, the directing duo behind the documentary "Going to Mars, the Nikki Giovanni Project." They discuss their background in filmmaking, the founding of Rada Studios , and their dedication to telling stories of the Black Diaspora. The conversation also covers their award nominations and recognition, the cinematic beauty of "Going to Mars," the challenges of making the film, and their favorite documentaries. Takeaways: • Movies and storytelling have always inspired Joe Brewster, leading him to pursue a career in...
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Episode 219 | Editor Extraordinaire Yvette Amirian
Documentary First
In this episode, host Christian Taylor interviews award-winning editor Yvette Amirian about her journey from documentary to narrative editing. Yvette shares her experiences working on various projects, including "EXmas" and "It Takes a Village". She discusses the differences between editing documentary and narrative films, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of both. Yvette also offers valuable tips for breaking into the film industry, highlighting the importance of building relationships and being kind to others. She shares her perspective on being a woman in the editing industry and the...
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Episode 218 | Getting Distributed w/ Joe Amodei Part 2
Documentary First
In this conversation, Christian Taylor interviews Joe Amodei, CEO of Virgil Films and Entertainment, about the film distribution industry. They discuss the changes in the industry, including the consolidation of companies and the impact of streaming services. Joe emphasizes the importance of collaboration between filmmakers and distributors, as well as the need for filmmakers to be involved in the marketing and distribution process. He also explains how distribution expenses affect the release of a film and the challenges of advertising in the current landscape. The conversation concludes with...
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Episode 217 | Award-Winning Cinematography w/ Laela Kilbourn
Documentary First
In this episode, Christian and Chad interview award-winning cinematographer Laela Kilbourn. They discuss her work on the documentary film Girl State, which premiered at Sundance 2024. Laela shares her experiences working with directors and the importance of trust in the DP-director relationship. She also explains the role of prime lenses in cinematography and how they can create a more cinematic look. Laela shares her journey in the film industry, from starting as a film loader to becoming a cinematographer. She discusses the challenges of advancing in the industry and the need to take risks...
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Episode 216 | Getting Distributed w/ Joe Amodei Part 1
Documentary First
In this episode, Christian Taylor interviews Joe Amodei of Virgil Films Entertainment about the changing landscape of film distribution. They discuss the role of distributors in acquiring and selling the rights to films, the rise of streaming platforms, and the challenges faced by filmmakers in finding trustworthy distributors. Joe shares his insights and experiences from his 20 years in the industry and offers advice for filmmakers considering self-distribution. Takeaways The role of distributors is to acquire and sell the rights to films, including digital platforms, TV channels, DVD,...
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Episode 215 | Honoring WWII Veteran George Ciampa (Ep. 115 Re-release)
Documentary First
On this very special podcast, we honor George Ciampa as Christian shares the news of his recent passing. George Ciampa, a World War II veteran and filmmaker, came on our podcast many times and can be heard on episodes #116, #117, #120, #121. He was born in 1925, served in the Graves Registration Service during WWII, and became a filmmaker in his 80's. You can visit George's website: to learn more about his story. Our first recording with George Ciampa was released in May 2021 and plays after a short introduction by Christian Taylor and Jason Rugg.
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Episode 214 | Entertainment Blogging w/ Josh Sharpe
Documentary First
In this episode, Jason and Christian provide a year-in-review and updates on their documentary films. They also introduce guest Josh Sharpe, a film/entertainment/theater journalist. Josh shares his background in reporting for cinema and offers tips for conducting interviews. The importance of reviews for filmmakers is discussed, along with the different types of interviews and the process of film reviewing. In this conversation Josh Sharpe discusses the world of movie reviews and how it has evolved with technology. He talks about how some reviewers start their own movie review websites or...
info_outlineWelcome back to another exciting episode of Documentary First! In this week's continuation from last week's episode, we dive deeper into the fascinating world of film festivals and film markets. Joe Amodei, our experienced distributor and filmmaker, shares valuable insights and personal experiences that every filmmaker should know. If you're passionate about filmmaking, you definitely don't want to miss this!
At the 2023 Film Festival in Cannes, Joe had 33 meetings where he pitched his films and listened to other pitches. He takes us through this experience and shares the lessons he’s learned, highlighting what he would do differently next time (01:06).
The landscape of the film industry is changing, with the merging of premium cable channels and streaming platforms leading to a shift in distribution strategies. Filmmakers and distributors are now focusing more on transactional and A-VOD sites, like Tubi, Pluto, Amazon, and iTunes. This change opens up opportunities for a wider range of genres and films from different countries to gain acceptance (02:15).
Joe reflects on the transformation he's witnessed in the market, for one, he now feels more comfortable approaching booths from other countries, a stark contrast to the hesitations he’s had in the past (05:11).
Christian raises an important question about who the target consumers are for movies considering the lack of information shared by streamers. Joe shares his observations, revealing that streamers like Netflix are increasingly focused on international growth rather than solely on the United States. This shift presents both advantages and limitations for filmmakers who are seeking opportunities overseas (05:53).
Joe has been in the movie biz for 20 years and he shares how he deals with beginning filmmakers and those with more extensive backgrounds differently. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and having honest conversations regarding the future of the industry (07:18).
The conversation takes a reflective turn as Christian asks Joe whether filmmakers should continue to make films. Joe's replies by stating the resilience of the film industry and emphasizes the importance of creating quality content (10:05).
Exploring popular genres, Joe and Christian discuss current trends. From horror to true crime, teen romantic dramas, comedies, family films, and even faith-based movies, each genre presents unique opportunities (13:18).
The discussion then shifts to documentaries, a genre that poses challenges in terms of profitability. Christian and Joe engage in a lively debate about the difficulties faced by documentary filmmakers in making money (17:04).
Towards the end, Christian and Joe remind us of their unwavering passion for filmmaking. They share heartfelt stories about the power of film to make a difference in people's lives and society as a whole (20:55).
Wrapping up the episode, Christian expresses gratitude for distributors like Joe Amodei and his team for prioritizing genuine relationships and care for filmmakers over purely chasing financial gain (26:40).
We extend our sincere thanks to Joe, Jason, and Christian for their valuable contributions to this enlightening episode. And a special thank you to all our listeners for joining us on this incredible journey of storytelling. Remember, everyone has a story to tell, and you can be the one to tell it!
Please note that there is no DocuView Déjà Vu segment in this episode.