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PODCAST

Documentary First

Christian Taylor

The craft and business of documentary filmmaking — from people who actually do it. Documentary First is a weekly podcast for working and aspiring documentary filmmakers who want honest, in-depth conversations about how documentaries get funded, made, and seen. Hosted by Christian Taylor — award-winning director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom (25+ international awards, distributed through Virgil Films, Swank, and Canal+) — the show draws on 270+ interviews with documentary filmmakers, editors,

tv & film documentary

All Episodes

01:01:07

Episode 240 | Documentary First's Next Steps w/ Jake...

Documentary First ·

2024/12/05

In this episode of Documentary First, hosts Christian and Jake Taylor focus on the journey of "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" so far. They explore the challenges of independent filmmaking, the importance of event screenings, and the value of building relationships with audiences. Logistics of pricing for screenings, the role of merchandising, and the long-term commitment required to see a documentary through is also discussed. Takeaways Event screenings are crucial for audience engagement

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59:15

Episode 239 | A Fresh Take on Renaissance Man,...

Documentary First ·

2024/11/18

In this captivating episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor sits down with filmmakers Sarah Burns and David McMahon to discuss their forthcoming documentary on the legendary Leonardo da Vinci. Together, they explore the creative process behind bringing Leonardo’s life and genius to the screen, the challenges of capturing his story, and the innovative techniques they used to breathe life into his work. From the importance of curiosity and expert insights to the immersive

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59:15

Episode 238 | Documenting a Viral Country Music...

Documentary First ·

2024/11/14

In this insightful episode, host Christian Taylor sits down with French filmmaker Matt Beurois, director of Fancy Like Walker Hayes, to explore the heartwarming story of country music sensation Walker Hayes and his family. Beurois shares his journey into documentary filmmaking and provides a behind-the-scenes look at capturing the Hayes family’s rise to fame. From the importance of storytelling and the challenges of balancing creativity with business, to the dynamics of trust, family, and

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49:16

Episode 237 | Making a Hit Mini TV Series feat. Evan...

Documentary First ·

2024/11/06

In this episode, host Christian Taylor sits down with Emmy-nominated editor and producer Evan Wise, ACE, to delve into his career journey and unique approach to documentary filmmaking. Evan shares his path from a rebellious skate punk in New Jersey to becoming a highly respected editor, working on acclaimed series like HBO’s The Circus and Q: Into the Storm. The conversation turns to his latest project, Chimp Crazy, a four-part HBO series that explores the complex world of primates. Evan

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22:19

Episode 236 | Conversations with Christian, Part 2...

Documentary First ·

2024/10/25

Here is a taste of our new series called Conversation With Christian that is available on Patreon. In this episode, Christian interviews her eldest son, the one with whom her entire film adventure began. In 2011 he joined the military and that life decision had big implications for the whole family. They discuss his military journey and their shared experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss themes of trust, perseverance, and the importance of community. Christian’s son shares his

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33:42

Episode 235 | The Girl Who Wore Freedom Dream Team -...

Documentary First ·

2024/10/10

In this insightful episode of the Documentary First Podcast, Christian Taylor, David Paterson, and Todd Anderson delve into the data and hard-earned lessons from the theatrical release of The Girl Who Wore Freedom. They explore the surprising factors that influenced ticket sales, including screening schedules, ticket pricing, and the often overlooked role of theater advertising—or lack thereof. The team shares their experiences with the logistical hurdles of distributing physical drives and the

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49:18

Episode 234 | Finding Your Champion, Part 2

Documentary First ·

2024/09/26

In this episode of Documentary First, Christian Taylor is joined by Joe Amodei and Tim Maggiani from Virgil Films Entertainment to dive into the evolving world of film distribution and the diminishing role of film festivals in securing deals. The discussion sheds light on how the dominance of streaming platforms and studios has shifted the landscape, making it increasingly difficult for independent filmmakers to gain visibility through traditional film festivals. The conversation explores the

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51:26

Episode 233 | Finding Your Champion, Part 1

Documentary First ·

2024/09/12

You know our good friend, Joe Amodei (Supersize Me) from past episodes. Now meet his protégé, Tim Maggiani, who is a great explainer of the modern film distribution process. Joe, a seasoned pro in VHS and DVD sales, admits the need for his distribution company to stay nimble and adaptable to new technology and platforms. Enter Tim. He understands the streaming world yet adheres to the age-old method of cultivating relationships between filmmakers and distributors—a key ingredient to success. By

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01:02:43

Episode 232 | How “To Dye For” Came to Life

Documentary First ·

2024/08/28

Special guests, Whitney and Brandon Cawood, take us behind the scenes of their groundbreaking documentary, To Dye For. This eye-opening film dives deep into the hidden dangers of synthetic dyes and their adverse effects on individuals and families. By incorporating a unique blend of vlog-style storytelling, expert interviews, and emotional family testimonies, To Dye For shines a light on a critical issue often overlooked. In this episode, Brandon and Whitney open up about their personal

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57:44

Episode 231 | Escaping Twin Flames Interview w/...

Documentary First ·

2024/08/21

Cecilia Peck (executive producer) and Inbal B. Lessner (editor) are the creators of Netflix's 2023 doc series, Escaping Twin Flames. Together, they explore their personal journey as filmmakers, how they united as a powerful team, and how they brought this social issue to light. The conversation dives into the unsettling world of the Twin Flames Universe, an online relationship community whose promises of true love masks a controlling environment. Through deep research and with empathy, they

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55:32

Episode 230 | Normandy Trip Update feat. Peyton Rabb

Documentary First ·

2024/08/14

DISCLAIMER -- *Documentary First Productions and it’s staff acknowledge the complexity of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Comments made in this video are meant to explore the complexity of violence rather than to promote or stand for a particular cause. -- In this week's episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor is joined by summer intern Peyton Rabb to recount their unforgettable journey to Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. The Documentary First Productions

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54:32

Episode 229 | The Girl Who Wore Freedom Dream Team,...

Documentary First ·

2024/07/31

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

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01:11:22

Episode 228 | Deep Dive Into "Sea Change: The Gulf of...

Documentary First ·

2024/07/18

Brian Skerry, a renowned documentary filmmaker and photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife discusses his journey in the industry and his latest documentary series, Sea Change, July 24 on PBS. Skerry shares how he started as a diver and developed a passion for underwater photography and filmmaking. He also talks about his transition from photography to becoming a producer for ocean documentaries. We are happy to share this conversation with a producer who won an Emmy for creating Disney+

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52:42

Episode 227 |The Girl Who Wore Freedom Dream Team -...

Documentary First ·

2024/07/03

Our dream team who was in charge of releasing "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" in theaters for the 80th anniversary of D-day, June 6, 2024 reunite! They offer a behind-the-scenes look into the herculean effort in getting our first documentary successfully on the big screen. Throughout the conversation, the team emphasizes the importance of crafting compelling emails, employing creative outreach tactics, and maintaining meticulous follow-up to ensure success. They share their experiences navigating the

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43:16

Episode 226 | Saffron Cassaday, Directing a Film...

Documentary First ·

2024/06/20

After suffering from Ulcerative Colitis for nearly a decade, filmmaker Saffron Cassaday tried a new treatment known as Fecal Microbiota Transplant: taking stool from a healthy donor and implanting it into the gut of a sick patient. She chronicles this journey in DESIGNER $HIT, https://geni.us/DesignerShit. We were fortunate to have her on the podcast to share about her start in the entertainment industry as a commercial editor and later directing the successful documentary, "Cyber-Seniors"

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53:50

Episode 225 | Human Swiss Army Knife Filmmaking w/...

Documentary First ·

2024/06/08

Did you ever wonder if a "Human Swiss Army Knife" of filmmaking existed? Well, in this episode, you'll meet one: Josh Haygood, also known as "The Fixer." Join us as Christian and Josh chat about how Josh got into filmmaking, transitioning from photography to moving pictures. From his time in Vietnam, devouring National Geographic, to landing jobs with the UN and MTV, Josh's journey is fascinating. We explore Haygood's extensive resume, showcasing his ability to tackle any job in the industry. His

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21:34

Bonus Episode | The Genesis of TGWWF - "AM 560 The...

Documentary First ·

2024/05/27

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

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57:45

Episode 224 | D-Day Theatrical Release, Guest: David...

Documentary First ·

2024/05/24

In this episode, Christian and David Paterson discuss the FIRST ever theatrical release of "The Girl Who Wore Freedom"! They highlight the importance of knowing your audience, reaching out to mom-and-pop theaters, and independent film distribution overall. The conversation explores the reasoning behind having a limited theatrical release for our documentary film. They also touch on the costs associated with distribution and the timing strategy of theatrical releases. The episode concludes with a

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01:00:37

Episode 223 | Documenting the $40 Billion Industry of...

Documentary First ·

2024/05/10

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

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01:39:51

Episode 222 | The Crazy World of "Mad Props"

Documentary First ·

2024/04/25

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

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