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_outlineIn this week's episode of Documentary First, we dive into the heartwarming tale of "Puppy Love," a documentary chronicling the incredible journey of four paralyzed puppies on the road to recovery.
What began as Gail's casual filming of her new puppy's antics took an unexpected turn when the pup faced paralysis. This documentary captures the tireless efforts to help the puppies heal, with a diverse team of camera operators capturing every moment. Gail's meticulous editing, guided by screenwriting principles, resulted in a 76-minute emotional rollercoaster that has left audiences laughing and in tears.
This project was a labor of love, with volunteers pouring their time and resources into rescuing dogs in need. Remarkably, the production costs stayed under $15,000, thanks to the dedication of everyone involved.
The film sheds light on the vital role of raw food company Darwin's, whose sponsorship was born out of a positive impact on one of the featured dogs. Their collaboration is a testament to the potential positive change that can come from these stories.
Gail shares valuable lessons for aspiring filmmakers, stressing the importance of dedication, consistency, and never deleting footage or audio. She also highlights the significance of media training and the stark contrast it made in her PR efforts.
With recent release on streaming platforms, Gail looks forward to future screenings, including a dream showing at the Museum of the Dog in NYC. She and Christian discuss the distribution process, expressing gratitude for the support from Documentary First and underlining the crucial role of a strong distributor relationship in successful film promotion.
In the end, "Puppy Love" stands as a powerful testament to the lengths individuals will go to save an animal, showcasing the enduring power of perseverance, sacrifice, and the bond between humans and animals. Gail's insights into production challenges, collaborative efforts, and future plans for the film offer a captivating glimpse into the world behind this heartwarming documentary.
In "Puppy Love" the dogs are put on a raw diet to help with their recovery. It was so successful that they continue eating raw today. Some dogs eat home made raw food and others eat food from Darwin's Natural Pet Products. https://www.darwinspet.com
DocuView Déjà Vu:
Gail: The Pigeon Tunnel, 2023, 92 mins, Watch on Apple TV+, IMDB Link:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28486633/?ref_=ext_shr
The Deepest Breath, 2023, 108 mins, Watch on Netflix, IMDB Link;
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24132732/?ref_=ext_shr
Timecodes:
Filmmaking journey and first feature film. 0:00
Documentary filmmaking and puppy paralysis. 1:46
Filmmaking and storytelling techniques. 7:45
A heartwarming dog rescue story. 12:29
Film distribution and festival run. 17:03
Tips and challenges. 21:31
Sponsorship, budget, and dog health in a documentary. 27:02
Filmmaking costs and distribution. 31:13
Filmmaking and editing & DocuView Déjà Vu. 36:17
Media training. 40:09