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PODCAST

Making Media Now

Filmmakers Collaborative

Making Media Now, presented by Filmmakers Collaborative and hosted by Michael Azevedo, is a podcast dedicated to presenting informative and enlightening conversations with creators of all stripes--filmmakers, writers, directors, editors, technical experts--about their process, their vision, their joys and challenges. Listen in to meet visionaries crafting media in a range of genres and for the full spectrum of distribution platforms.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

46:24

"American Sons": A Fallen Marine's Story Unites His...

Making Media Now ·

2026/01/11

Host Michael Azevedo is joined on this episode by Laura Varela and Andrew Gonzales, the producer and producer/director of "American Sons," a new documentary that follows a brotherhood of Marines a decade after their deployment to Afghanistan, as they struggle to overcome the trauma of combat and the loss of many of their comrades. The film will premiere on PBS on January 12 and will stream simultaneously with broadcast and be available on all station-branded PBS platforms The story of their

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58:51

"Bombshell" Reveals Military Propaganda in Aftermath...

Making Media Now ·

2026/01/05

Host Michael Azevedo is joined on this episode by Ben Loeterman, the writer and director of Bombshell, a new documentary that Explores How The U.S. government manipulated the narrative around the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Ben’s film will premiere on PBS as part of the American Experience series on January 6 and will be available on the PBS app and the American Experience website thereafter. Through propaganda, censorship and the co-opting of the press, the government presented

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51:13

Joshua Seftel Enters "All The Empty Rooms"

Making Media Now ·

2025/12/26

On this episode host Michael Azevedo welcomes back Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joshua Seftel to discuss his latest documentary, "All the Empty Rooms," which is currently available on Netflix and has been short-listed for the 2025 Oscars in the category of best documentary short.Across America, bedrooms sit untouched — walls still covered in posters, clothes folded neatly in drawers — silent memorials to children lost to gun violence. "All the Empty Rooms" is a 33-minute documentary that

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77:39

"Third Degree Burnout" Documentary Connects the...

Making Media Now ·

2025/12/16

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is first-time filmmaker Nivi Jaswal-Wirtjes, the director & executive producer of a powerful and thought-provoking new documentary called “Third Degree Burnout”Narrated by renowned meteorologist John Morales, "Third Degree Burnout" uncovers the hidden connections between personal burnout and the climate crisis, revealing them as symptoms of a larger socio-economic metacrisis. With world-class animation, engaging interviews with over 20 experts,

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63:35

Pixela Films' "The Last Yztari" Merges Innovation &...

Making Media Now ·

2025/12/09

On this episode, host Michael Azevedo joined by long-time friend of the podcast Tim O’Donnell of Pixela Films and by first-time guest Mary Dague to discuss the just-completed film, "The Last Yztari."This innovative and moving film tells the story of how after using her body as a shield to protect her unit from an IED in Iraq, Mary Dague is left medically retired, missing both arms from the elbow down. Many years after returning home, she finds a new place in online gaming communities as she

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36:59

Daniel Masciari Makes Film Directing Debut with...

Making Media Now ·

2025/11/25

Director Daniel Masciari who joins host Michael Azevedo to discuss "Stationed at Home," his debut feature film. Set on a clear and frigid Christmas Eve in 1998, in a small, forgotten city, "Stationed at Home" tells the tale of a solitary taxi driver on the graveyard shift breathlessly awaiting the sight of the International Space Station. As the hours count down, a parade of offbeat misfits derail his plans, propelling the story to its exhilarating climax. Daniel Masciari grew up outside of

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57:22

"In Waves and War" Explores Potential of Psychedelics...

Making Media Now ·

2025/11/15

Host Michael Azevedo is joined on this episode by Jon Shenk co-director of a powerful documentary now streaming on Netflix called In Waves and War.Blending observational scenes and animation, "In Waves and War" traces the journey of three Navy SEALs, tormented by trauma, to Mexico where they embark on a mission to rescue one another with powerful psychedelics whose effects shake them to the core and open a path toward healing. Alongside intimate interviews, captivating animation, and

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59:34

"The Green Box": A Tale of War, Heroism, and a Son's...

Making Media Now ·

2025/11/03

Host Michael Azevedo is joined on this episode by Vicki Hughes and Holly Stadtler, two veterans of the documentary filmmaking world who’ve teamed up to produce The Green Box: At The Heart of War, a film based on a memoir by Jim Kurtz that tells the story of his decades long search to learn more about his father, 2nd Lt. Robert Kurtz, who died when Jim was just 2 years old. All Jim knew of his father was that he was a bomber pilot in the European theater during WWII. And because of his mother’s

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51:50

Addicts Seeking Recovery Get Caught in the "Shuffle"

Making Media Now ·

2025/10/22

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Ben Flaherty, the director of Shuffle, a film that won the documentary jury award at the 2025 SXSW festival. This powerful documentary provides a look into the lives of three Florida residents who struggle to free themselves from a predatory system of for-profit recovery centers that benefit from their reliance on substances. The film depicts a depressingly familiar pattern of institutions failing the very individuals they exist to help. A former

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51:30

Documentary Examines How US Newspapers Are Being...

Making Media Now ·

2025/10/15

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Rick Goldsmith, the director of the documentary “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink.Rick’s film offers a clear-eyed look at the current state of journalism in the United States with a focus on the insidious threat from a secretive hedge fund that has put America’s free press at risk. Alden Global Capital, operating in the shadows, has managed to upend countless local newsrooms in the past 15 years. But their profit-at-all-costs

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40:55

Director Clay Tweel Delivers "The Bitter Pill": One...

Making Media Now ·

2025/10/04

Host Michael Azevedo is joined on this episode is Clay Tweel, director of a powerful new documentary called "The Bitter Pill." Clay’s film—which debuted on PBS on 9/22 and will be available to stream on PBS digital until December 10-- follows the charismatic West Virginian plaintiff attorney Paul Farrell, Jr, as he wages a legal war against some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies in a landmark battle fueled by personal stakes. A powerful chronicle of justice, accountability, and

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62:01

"Hard Hat Riot" Foreshadows The Splintering of America

Making Media Now ·

2025/09/24

On May 8, 1970, “the Hard Hat Riot” erupted in lower Manhattan. At midday, construction workers, including those building the World Trade Center, violently clashed with students demonstrating against the Vietnam War. Workmen saw the protesting students as privileged “draft dodgers” disparaging the country and those who fought for it. On the other side, many student activists saw the workers as pawns, unwilling to see the changes that America needed. On this episode, host Michael Azevedo speaks

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66:39

Andy DeMeo's "Granite Goodness": News Stories of...

Making Media Now ·

2025/09/12

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Andy DeMeo, the creator and host of the Granite Goodness podcast and Substack newsletter.Andy has a belief that most news thrives on outrage, fear, and conflict. And he created "Granite Goodness" in order to take a different approach. The podcast and newsletter highlights what Andy calls real progress happening across New England in science, tech, sustainability, business, economics, infrastructure, and more. It’s Andy’s contention that when

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46:17

Rob Spera Wrote the "Anti-Textbook" of Film & TV...

Making Media Now ·

2025/09/05

Host Michael Azevedo is joined by veteran film and television director Rob Spera.Rob’s been on the faculty at the American Film Institute for over 20 years. His feature films include The Sweet Life, Fathers and Sons, and the cult classic Leprechaun in the Hood. His numerous television credits include Criminal Minds, Supernatural, Suspect Behavior, and Army Wives. During four seasons as Resident Director at the Tony award-winning Actors Theatre of Louisville, he directed over 75

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40:19

"Make A Circle" Shines a Light on the Joys &...

Making Media Now ·

2025/08/27

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode are Jen Bradwell and Todd Boekelheide, the married co-directors of "Make A Circle," a new documentary that offers a rare, inside look at the lives of child care providers and early educators — the backbone of a child care system on the brink.The film premieres Monday, September 1 streaming nationally on PBS.org, the PBS app and on PBS TV stations (check local listings) across the country. As Jen Bradwell says: “Make A Circle is a love letter to

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43:34

"Free Land for Free People": Jonathan Berman Presents...

Making Media Now ·

2025/08/18

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Jonathan Berman, director of the newly restored documentary "Commune." Originally released in 2005, the film has been newly restored with vibrant sound and picture quality and is currently making the rounds at movie houses across the US. Commune chronicles the story of Black Bear Ranch, launched in 1968 with help from luminaries like The Doors, Frank Zappa, and The Monkees. This abandoned goldmine transformed into a hub for radical living, fueled by

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12:58

A Brief Update on the State of Public Media

Making Media Now ·

2025/08/05

Here's a brief update on the current status of public media.In short: it ain’t good. If you’re a regular listener to MMN, you probably know that over the more than 150 episodes that we’ve produced a sizable chunk of them involved conversations with documentary filmmakers whose work was broadcast on public media outlets like PBS and NPR. Much of the reason that these documentaries have found a home at places like PBS is because they deal with important issues—issues that impact the health of

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58:05

"Slumlord Millionaire": Fighting for Tenants Rights &...

Making Media Now ·

2025/07/24

Documentary filmmakers Ellen Martinez and Steph Ching join host Michael Azevedo to discuss Slumlord Millionaire, winner of the Audience Award at the 2024 DOC NYC Film Festival. The film explores the rapid gentrification of New York City neighborhoods and the housing crisis sweeping not only New York but the nation.Told through the stories of a group of fearless residents, activists and nonprofit attorneys who fight corrupt landlords and developers for the basic human right to a home, the film

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01:02:47

Troy Farkas Delivers a Treasure Trove of "Seacoast...

Making Media Now ·

2025/07/11

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Troy Farkas, the creator, producer, and host of "Seacoast Stories," a podcast featuring compelling stories about the unique people, businesses, and newsmakers of New Hampshire and southern Maine.This weekly podcast takes on sometimes controversial issues, highlights local businesses, tells entertaining stories, and seeks to uncover what makes the northern NE Seacoast such a hidden gem. Prior to creating the "Seacoast Stories" podcast, Troy spent

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01:15:20

"Gone Guys" Reveals The Struggles Facing Boys and...

Making Media Now ·

2025/07/03

Host Michael Azevedo is joined by members of the team behind a compelling and eye-opening short documentary called “Gone Guys.” Chad Ervin is the film’s director & producer. Also joining the conversation is the film's executive producer, Lauren Curry, of the Richard E and Deborah L Tarrant Foundation.The documentary draws on the influential work of writer & social scientist Richard Reeves. Reeves is the author of the 2022 best seller “Of Boys and Men”, which illuminates these challenges

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164 results

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