Rephonic
Artwork for Documentary First
Documentary Filmmaking
Billy Joel
World War II
Saving Private Ryan
Normandy
Documentary Film
Liz Carpenter
Relationships
Music
Artistry
Women's Rights
Entertainment Law
Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively
Ceo Bauer
Public Television
LBJ White House
Journalism
Deepak Chopra
Tom Gegax

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes284Founded7 years ago
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Society & CultureFilm InterviewsDocumentaryTV & Film

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Artwork for Documentary First

Latest Episodes

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

He edited nearly every Ken Burns film since The Civil War. He still didn't know who he was.

Henry David Thoreau wrote that most people lead lives of “quiet desperation.” But what did he actually mean - and what does it look like inside a successful ... more

He's edited nearly every Ken Burns film ever made. But he couldn't edit himself.

What does it take to build a filmmaking career inside Ken Burns's world — and what happens when the hardest part isn't the craft, but learning who you are?

Erik and Ch... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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: Episode 3 I THE DEEP DIVE With Joe Amodei - Finding The Good Guys
Charles Olivier
Emmy and Peabody Award-winning editor and writer
Episode: Episode 270 | Charles Olivier on Editing "Surviving Ohio State" for HBO
Jeffrey Roth
Director of The Man with the Hat
Virgil Films
Episode: Episode 269 | Egyptian “Indiana Jones”, Zahi Hawass, Director Interview of “The Man With The Hat”
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”
Susan Lacy
Emmy Award-winning producer and director, creator of American Masters, and founder of Pentamento Productions.
Pentamento Productions
Episode: Episode 266 | Emmy-Award Winning Producer, Susan Lacy, “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” Interview
Nicholas Bruckman
Emmy-nominated director and founder of People's Television
People's Television
Episode: Episode 265 | Harvesting the Power of Connections: “The Price of Milk” Docuseries Filmmaker Interview
Elise Jaffe
Documentary filmmaker and Executive Producer of Big Teeth Productions
Big Teeth Productions
Episode: Episode 263 | Crowdfunding for Filmmakers — Lessons from the UnScarred Campaign

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.

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.
Episode 272 | Quinnolyn Benson-Yates on Epic Bill: Failure, Reinvention & the Filmmaker’s Endurance
Q: What is your plan A, B, and C if your documentary is rejected by all distributors?
Keep applying and screening the film, focusing on who the audience is, and consider alternative platforms like PBS for broader reach.
Episode 267 | Alan Govenar’s New Film, “Quiet Voices in a Noisy World”
Q: What is your hope for where this film fits in?
Alan hopes the film will gain indie theater life and resonate with viewers, promoting a message of hope amidst challenges.
Episode 267 | Alan Govenar’s New Film, “Quiet Voices in a Noisy World”
Q: Can you talk to me a little bit about your entree into this field, to this work, and how you started a little bit?
Alan shared his journey began as a teenager with poetry and evolved into filmmaking, emphasizing experiential storytelling and social engagement.
Episode 269 | Egyptian “Indiana Jones”, Zahi Hawass, Director Interview of “The Man With The Hat”
Q: How did you approach Dr. Hawass as a subject?
Roth shares that he reached out via email and was able to meet with Hawass, who enthusiastically engaged with the project, indicating his interest in telling his own story as the central character.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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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. Curiously Kaitlyn
2. Voxology
3. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
4. The Holy Post
5. The Russell Moore Show

How many episodes of Documentary First are there?

Documentary First launched 7 years ago and published 284 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. Jake Schroeder
2. Quinnolyn Benson-Yates
3. Joe Amodei
4. Charles Olivier
5. Jeffrey Roth
6. Alan Govenar
7. Susan Lacy
8. Nicholas Bruckman

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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