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Artwork for Documentary First
Documentary Filmmaking
Billy Joel
World War II
Normandy
Saving Private Ryan
Dairy Industry
Documentary Distribution
Documentary Film
Family Relationships
The Girl Who Wore Freedom
D-Day
Relationships
Liz Carpenter
Henry David Thoreau
Got Milk Campaign
Michael Parks
Music
PBS
Tribeca Film Festival
Artistry

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 Film... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes286Founded7 years ago
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Film InterviewsTV & FilmDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Documentary First

Latest Episodes

What if the documentaries no streaming platform will buy are the ones that could save your kid's life?

Today's children may be the first generation in American history to live shorter lives than their parents. That's the central argument of The 100-... more

Why do documentary subjects freeze for a professional camera - but open up to an iPhone?

Robin Canfield shares why he films with iPhones, how he teaches documentary in twenty countries, and the communication skill he says every documentary filmmaker... more

YouTube

Someone tried to harvest Christian's voice for AI training. The pitch was polished, the project sounded real. But when she responded with ten professional questions, the conversation ended. Permanently.

In this Deep Dive on Episode 275, Christian co... more

YouTube

Even with Ken Burns and Don Henley attached, funding a PBS documentary is brutal. So what hope do the rest of us have?

Erik and Christopher Ewers get real about PBS funding, AI’s impact on filmmaking, and how they landed George Clooney, Jeff Goldblu... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Robin Canfield
Storyteller, filmmaker, author, and teacher
Actuality Abroad
Episode: Ep. 276 I Robin Canfield on Teaching iPhone Documentary in 20 Countries
Erik Ewers
Filmmaker, co-director of the PBS documentary Henry David Thoreau
Ewers Brothers (PBS Henry David Thoreau)
Episode: They Wanted My Voice to Train AI - What Thoreau Knew About Living Deliberately in a Revolution: Deep Dive on Ep. 275
Christopher Ewers
Filmmaker, co-director of the PBS documentary Henry David Thoreau
Ewers Brothers (PBS Henry David Thoreau)
Episode: They Wanted My Voice to Train AI - What Thoreau Knew About Living Deliberately in a Revolution: Deep Dive on Ep. 275
Jake Schroeder
Executive Director of Denver Police Activities League and founder of D-Day Leadership Academy
Denver PAL; D-Day Leadership Academy
Episode: Ep. 273 | D-Day Leadership Academy: Jake Schroeder on WWII Veterans, Normandy & Redefining Success
Quinnolyn Benson-Yates
Award-winning filmmaker with over a decade of experience, creator of the documentary Epic Bill
Episode: Episode 272 | Quinnolyn Benson-Yates on Epic Bill: Failure, Reinvention & the Filmmaker’s Endurance
Joe Amodei
Filmmaker, film distributor, and owner of Virgil Films Entertainment
Virgil Films Entertainment
Episode: Finding The Good Guys | Deep Dive on Ep.271 With Joe Amodei
Charles Olivier
Emmy Award-winning editor known for documentaries like The Jinx and Surviving Ohio State.
Episode: Why Viewers Forget 90% of Your Film | Deep Dive on Ep. 270
Jeffrey Roth
Director of The Man with the Hat
Virgil Films
Episode: Episode 269 | Egyptian “Indiana Jones”, Zahi Hawass of “The Man With The Hat”, Interview with Jeffery Roth
Alan Govenar
An award-winning filmmaker and photographer known for exploring overlooked American stories.
Documentary Arts
Episode: Episode 267 | Alan Govenar’s New Film, “Quiet Voices in a Noisy World”

Host

Christian Taylor
Host and documentary filmmaker, known for his engaging discussions on the art of creating impactful documentaries and his journey as a filmmaker.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • Sneak peek into the Rustle n' Bustle

    Far from a sanitized/glamorous version of BTS filmmaking, I appreciate that the director, Christian Taylor gives an honest view of her difficult journey to making an award-winning movie.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jj8282l
    United States6 years ago
  • Insightful

    Listening to this has genuinely gotten me more interested in supporting this project and seeing the film when it’s ready.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jake123458765
    United States7 years ago
  • Love it!

    Thanks for sharing your heart here! It’s so encouraging to hear what you’ve learned & how your faith has informed this journey.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lura B Priebe
    United States7 years ago
  • An inside look at the ups and downs of producing a documentary

    I've been interested in the "Behind the Scenes" inside look of films and productions from a young age. That curiosity has never died! I find it fascinating to hear the perspective of a female first-time producer/director and her passion for telling these stories. Can't wait to hear more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bethanne132
    United States7 years ago
  • Nice

    Can’t wait to see the film

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    L'Atelier carentan
    France7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the authentic insights provided by industry professionals, finding the discussions both educational and inspiring.
The engaging nature of the interviews is frequently highlighted, with many expressing eagerness for future episodes and themes covered.
Feedback indicates a strong interest in the personal stories of filmmakers, particularly how their experiences inform their work.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 274 I I Didn't Know Myself - Erik & Chris Ewers on Ken Burns, PBS & Thoreau
Q: Can you explain how the Don Henley and Walden Woods Project connection influenced the project?
Don Henley's involvement brought both passion and credibility to the project; his advocacy for Walden Woods aligns with the film's themes, and his collaboration helped secure support and a narrative through-line that connects Thoreau's legacy to today's environmental and civil rights conversations.
Ep. 274 I I Didn't Know Myself - Erik & Chris Ewers on Ken Burns, PBS & Thoreau
Q: What unique challenges did you face creating a three-hour Thoreau documentary with limited archival material?
The main challenge was keeping the audience engaged without abundant archival imagery. We relied on inventive visuals, creative set dressing, and the expressiveness of Thoreau's diary pages to weave a continuous, immersive narrative that feels contemporary despite its historical subject.
Ep. 274 I I Didn't Know Myself - Erik & Chris Ewers on Ken Burns, PBS & Thoreau
Q: How did you two navigate co-directing as brothers, and what have you learned about leading as a duo?
We learned to respect each other's lanes, divide responsibilities clearly, and stay honest about what each of us brings to the table. It's a ongoing process, but over time we've built a practice where we can rely on one another and escalate or defer based on strengths, which keeps the project moving and the relationship healthy.
Ep. 275 I Erik & Chris Ewers on PBS Funding, AI & Directing Goldblum, Clooney & Streep
Q: How did you end up working with celebrity voice talent like Jeff Goldblum, George Clooney, and Meryl Streep?
It started with Don Henley's passion and connections. After Don suggested an approach, Jeff Goldblum expressed interest, and for Clooney and Streep, Don leveraged his network to open doors, leading to a collaboration that elevated the project's voice and storytelling.
Episode 272 | Quinnolyn Benson-Yates on Epic Bill: Failure, Reinvention & the Filmmaker’s Endurance
Q: What do filmmakers need to stop believing about distribution?
Distribution does not solve or make your career. Filmmakers must actively create and figure out their own process and identity outside of distribution.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Documentary First

What is Documentary First about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rich exploration of the documentary filmmaking craft is the hallmark of this captivating show. Each episode offers insightful interviews with filmmakers, industry experts, and professionals, providing listeners with invaluable tips and revealing behind-the-scenes anecdotes on the intricate process of creating documentaries. The discussions frequently cover a diverse range of topics from historical narratives, the emotional weight of storytelling, to technical aspects of production, appealing both to experienced filmmakers and those new to the field. Notably, the focus on personal journeys, often intertwining with broader themes like history and social issues, sets it apart, creating a space where storytelling techniques meet the explorati... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Documentary First?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Documentary First:

1. Doc Talk: A Deadline and Nō Studios Podcast
2. Voxology
3. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
4. The Holy Post
5. The Church Politics Podcast

How many episodes of Documentary First are there?

Documentary First launched 7 years ago and published 286 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Documentary First?

Recent guests on Documentary First include:

1. Robin Canfield
2. Erik Ewers
3. Christopher Ewers
4. Jake Schroeder
5. Quinnolyn Benson-Yates
6. Joe Amodei
7. Charles Olivier
8. Jeffrey Roth

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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