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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes295Founded7 years ago
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TV & FilmSociety & CultureFilm InterviewsDocumentary

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Artwork for Documentary First

Latest Episodes

Can thirteen letters from an 88-year-old stranger bring a dead film back to life?

For two years, Heroes of Carentan, Christian Taylor's documentary about the 101st Airborne Division and the June 1944 liberation of Carentan, sat on a shelf, half made... more

What if the disappointment you didn't choose was the only door to the life you were meant to live?

Three generations of one family chased professional baseball, and all three lost it to a career-ending injury. Each one found his calling in the after... more

He Could Become Anyone on Stage. What Was He Hiding Offstage?

Danny Gans was the Man of Many Voices, the highest-paid headliner on the Las Vegas Strip, and the first performer to sell a $100 ticket on the Strip. He could become almost anyone on stag... more

YouTube

When does refusing to repeat a lie become complicity in it?

The hardest question in documentary filmmaking is not how to find the truth. It is how to handle a lie. When a false story is already loose in the world, you have two choices that look almo... more

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Recent Guests

Andrew Gans
Director and subject of Voices, The Danny Gans Story
Self-contained project about Danny Gans
Episode: Ep. 280 I Danny Gans, the Man of Many Voices, Lost His Own. His Son Set Out to Find It.
Brian Pocrass
USC film school graduate and entertainment professional turned personal injury attorney; director of She Was Here
Self / Filmmaker
Episode: Ep. 279 I She Was Here: Heather O'Rourke's Family Debunks the Poltergeist Curse
Carolyn Jolette
Chicago Honey Bears alumna and hair/beauty professional who appears as a guest in the episode
Noted guest in interview
Episode: Ep. 279 I She Was Here: Heather O'Rourke's Family Debunks the Poltergeist Curse
Armin Korsos
Filmmaker, Chicago-based, co-founder of Filmmaker Friday Chicago
Caymanite; Filmmaker Friday Chicago
Episode: The Two Kinds of “Alone” Every Filmmaker Knows I Deep Dive on Ep. 278
Teddy Cannon
Veteran ARC Producer and media producer focused on rights clearance
Unknown/Self-employed
Episode: Ep. 277 I Why Does One Documentary Clip Cost $70,000? Music Licensing and Fair Use
Robin Canfield
Storyteller, filmmaker, author, and teacher
Actuality Abroad
Episode: Ep. 276 I Robin Canfield on Teaching iPhone Documentary in 20 Countries
Erik Ewers
Ken Burns senior editor with 33+ years' experience
Ken Burns Florentine Films
Episode: Ep. 274 I I Didn't Know Myself - Erik & Chris Ewers on Ken Burns, PBS & Thoreau
Christopher Ewers
Filmmaker, co-director with Erik, and cinematographer
Ewers Brothers Productions
Episode: Ep. 274 I I Didn't Know Myself - Erik & Chris Ewers on Ken Burns, PBS & Thoreau
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

Host

Christian Taylor
Host of Documentary First

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.

Consistently thoughtful coverage of distribution and sustainable filmmaking
High-quality, easy-to-follow insights on budgeting and rights clearance
Great for prospective guests who want to understand fit and audience needs
Honest behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking and production journeys
Engaging discussions that blend craft with personal stories and values

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. 280 I Danny Gans, the Man of Many Voices, Lost His Own. His Son Set Out to Find It.
Q: What are your plans for the film's future, including festival runs and distribution?
The film premiered in LA, had a festival run including Austin and Julian Dubuque, and is pursuing distribution with several offers in play with announcements anticipated soon.
Ep. 280 I Danny Gans, the Man of Many Voices, Lost His Own. His Son Set Out to Find It.
Q: What motivated you to make this film about your dad, and when did the decision to include yourself in the narrative come about?
He felt the dad's life had a powerful story worth sharing and believed it could inspire others. The decision to include himself came as he realized the project would be incomplete without showing his own journey, struggles, and growth, which in turn enriched the audience's connection to the subject.
Ep. 280 I Danny Gans, the Man of Many Voices, Lost His Own. His Son Set Out to Find It.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your life, who you are, where you were born, and how you ended up in filmmaking.
Andrew describes growing up in LA, chasing a baseball dream that was cut short by injuries and the loss of his father, which pushed him toward acting, writing, and eventually producing and directing. He explains how he moved from pursuing acting to scriptwriting, then to producing, before taking the plunge into directing his own story about his father.
Ep. 279 I She Was Here: Heather O'Rourke's Family Debunks the Poltergeist Curse
Q: What is the core takeaway you want listeners to walk away with after watching the film?
The film is about loss and healing, not just a child star; it emphasizes the responsibility of telling someone else's story and the power of storytelling to bring community and families together.
Ep. 279 I She Was Here: Heather O'Rourke's Family Debunks the Poltergeist Curse
Q: Were there moments you felt the trust could be broken, and how did you navigate them?
There were tough moments when the team faced delays and frustrations, but they remained committed to Heather's best interests and avoided exploiting the story.

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 pragmatic, practitioner-focused look at the craft and business of documentary filmmaking. Episodes center on funding, rights clearance, distribution, and sustainable careers, with a strong emphasis on real-world workflow, budgeting, and collaborations across producers, editors, and distributors. Noteworthy is the mix of hands-on industry detail (licensing, pre-production ARC work, and software tools) with deep dives that connect storytelling to broader questions about ethics, technology (including AI's impact), and long-term career resilience.

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Which podcasts are similar to Documentary First?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Documentary First:

1. Curiously Kaitlyn
2. BibleProject
3. The Holy Post
4. The Russell Moore Show
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Documentary First are there?

Documentary First launched 7 years ago and published 295 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. Andrew Gans
2. Brian Pocrass
3. Carolyn Jolette
4. Armin Korsos
5. Teddy Cannon
6. Robin Canfield
7. Erik Ewers
8. Christopher Ewers

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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