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How to Use Your Voice to Make Socially-Driven Films https://ift.tt/2F6Qigs In order to set yourself apart in Hollywood, it's important to find you voice and to make movies and TV shows that you truly care about. That means figuring out what you believe in and fostering your ideas from there. Filmmakers Allison Norlian and Kody Leibowitz, the co-founders of the new production company BirdMine, do just that, making socially conscious stories that connect on many levels. We sat down with them to talk about their new company and what's in store for the future. Let's dive in. BirdMine Editor's Note: the following interview is edited for length and clarity. No Film School: What inspired you to start your own production company, BirdMine, and why did you choose to focus on socially driven films? Allison + Kody: We met as interns in college, with dreams of becoming reporters and journalists. We followed our dreams, becoming television news reporters and anchors and working in various markets across the country, and we remained friends during our respective journeys. As the years went by, we would discuss wanting to tell longer-form, more impactful stories—we wanted to take what we'd learned as journalists and become documentarians. Documentaries were the pinnacle; we'd have more time to investigate, research, and dive into the stories. But for a while, it was just talk—a pipedream that neither of us knew would ever come to fruition. And then, in 2020, everything changed. We decided to act and start BirdMine, our company that focuses on amplifying the voices and stories of underrepresented communities in socially driven films. It only made sense that our films would be socially driven, considering who we are as people and why we got into journalism and documentary work in the first place. Allison became a journalist and now a filmmaker because of her profoundly disabled sister. Growing up with a sister with developmental disabilities and a grandmother with physical disabilities because of Multiple Sclerosis, Allison became an advocate at an early age for the disabled community. She became a journalist with the hope of "changing the way the world views disabilities" and creating a more accessible and inclusive reality for people with disabilities and their families. Being immersed in two marginalized communities since birth—both the disabled and Jewish communities—Allison gained empathy for everyone and anyone suffering. She found her calling to help through journalism and now filmmaking. Kody spent much of his journalism career as an investigative journalist, holding public officials accountable and exposing racial injustice, political corruption, and wrongdoing by corporate or religious institutions. Growing up with a single mother who was a high school educator exposed Kody to the inequalities faced by so many in America—and people around the world. Kody also saw how illness and domestic violence impact a family at an earl...

🎥 The Ethics of Documentary Filmmaking: How Far Should We Go to Capture the Truth? 🎬Documentary filmmaking is often celebrated as a medium for uncovering truths and telling important stories. But how far should filmmakers go in pursuit of that truth? The line between ethical storytelling and exploitation is often blurred, especially when dealing with vulnerable subjects or controversial topics. At Hive Film Kollektiv, we believe in the power of documentaries to drive meaningful change. But with that power comes responsibility. As filmmakers, we must consider: 🔹 Consent: Are the participants fully aware of how their stories will be portrayed and the potential consequences of sharing them? 🔹 Representation: Are we portraying the subjects and their experiences authentically, or are we shaping the narrative to fit a preconceived storyline? 🔹 Harm vs. Impact: Are we protecting the dignity of our subjects, or are we risking harm for the sake of shock value or artistic vision? One of the most challenging questions is whether “the greater good” can justify actions that might feel ethically murky in the moment. For instance, should a filmmaker intervene if a subject is in danger? Or should they remain an observer to preserve the integrity of the story? We’d love to hear your thoughts: 📣 Where do you think the ethical line should be drawn in documentary filmmaking? 📣 How can filmmakers balance storytelling with responsibility? Let’s start a conversation about creating impactful documentaries that respect and empower the voices we aim to amplify. #DocumentaryFilmmaking #FilmmakingEthics #Storytelling #HiveFilmKollektiv #CreativeConversations #FilmmakersLife

Just re-released! Listen to this "Classic" Top Docs: Conversations with Award-Winning Filmmakers (w/Mike Merrill) interview with Daniel Roher about his Oscar-winning documentary "Navalny". Part of our mini series looking back at some of noteworthy interviews from our first 3 seasons. While we gear up for Season 4, we thought we'd replay some of our favorite shows from the past few years. Today, we’re presenting again our interview from September of 2022 with Daniel Roher regarding his film, Navalny, which depicts the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Since then, the film won the Academy Award for best Documentary. Despite the attention brought by the film, in February of this year, Alexei Navalny died in the prison in which Vladimir Putin had confined him. Apple: https://lnkd.in/gYNfgZPU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gecaW8Vv Original Show Notes: He survived a government-orchestrated poison attack. He pranked the Russian security agency. He endured (and continues to endure) solitary confinement in a remote gulag. Oh, and he also made some pretty cool TikTok videos. His name is Alexei Navalny, and, as Russia’s leading opposition figure, he will use whatever means possible to try to end the authoritarian regime of President Vladimir Putin. He’s also the subject of Daniel Roher’s (“Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band”) timely and relentlessly gripping documentary political thriller “Navalny”. In the midst of Putin’s unprovoked and disastrous war on Ukraine, Daniel joined Mike and Ken for an engaging conversation about Navalny’s perilous journey, from surviving an assassination attempt to his recovery in Germany and subsequent return to Russia and imprisonment. What led Daniel, in October 2020, from “a place of desperation” to the “Hail Mary pass” of his filmmaking career? How did he navigate the complexity of making a film about a man, who, as a master deployer of media tools himself, was at first skeptical of the documentary and then participated in a battle of wits about creative control over its direction? Finally, how did Daniel ensure that the film retained the sense of hope that Navalny, against all odds, continues to deploy against the dark forces conspiring against him and the Russian people? With its layered narratives, “Navalny” has as much in common with a classic Russian novel as it does with a James Bond thriller. We hope you will enjoy peeling back the layers with us and Daniel at least as much as those TikTok videos. “Navalny” is available on HBO and HBO Max. Follow on Twitter: @DanielRoher @Navalny @topdocspod

𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗱 Discover the power of documentary storytelling with Peter Goldsmid, a seasoned writer and director. On 9 October 2024, gain insights into crafting authentic narratives that resonate with audiences. Perfect for emerging writers eager to make their mark. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 Date: 9 October 2024 Time: 18h00 – 19h00 SAST Location: Online (The Zoom link will be distributed via email by 12pm on 9 October 2024. Please add pdpassistant@writersguildsa.org to your contact list) Registration: https://lnkd.in/dKk3bTbp (Registration closes on 8 October 2024 at 18h00 SAST) 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 Peter Goldsmid began his career as a film editor and film critic, reviewing for The Star and other print media, before transitioning into writing. He was inspired to adapt Athol Fugard's magical play, The Road to Mecca, into a feature film—a project he had longed to direct for years. Ultimately, he accomplished both, and the film won Vita Awards for Best Script and Best Production. Since then, Peter has continued writing, primarily to create opportunities for himself as a director and independent producer. His work includes four seasons of the documentary-based legal drama series Justice for All for SABC 2. His experience with documentaries also led to the creation of the SABC 2 mini-series Riemvasmaak, set during the forced removals under apartheid, which won the 2008 SAFTAs for Writing, Direction, and Producing. Peter's documentaries have been featured at prestigious film festivals such as Cannes, the United Nations Association Film Festival, and Encounters. His 2010 documentary Difficult Love, made with lesbian visual activist Zanele Muholi, was broadcast by SABC and on Dutch and Swedish television, as well as nearly a hundred film festivals worldwide. More recently, Our Land, focusing on land rights activists from the Alliance for Rural Democracy, was the Runner-up for the 2023 Encounters Youth Experience Award. A major catalyst for Peter's growth as a writer was his six years teaching screen, television, and documentary writing at AFDA, Cape Town, culminating in an MFA (cum laude) in 2020. He has since led documentary courses for both the NFVF and SAE. Currently, Peter is writing, directing, and producing a True Crime series on femicides for SABC 3. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dKk3bTbp (Registration closes on 8 October 2024 at 18h00 SAST)

Is Your Protagonist Up for the Challenge?   In crafting a compelling documentary, having a strong central character (or characters) is essential. Most filmmakers have a good instinct for identifying potential protagonists who are likely to be strong communicators. However, this alone isn’t sufficient to make them the driving force of your film. They not only need to communicate effectively but also be willing to express their thoughts and emotions authentically. Vulnerability doesn’t come naturally to many people, and even the most outgoing individuals can struggle with it. Creating an environment that fosters emotional honesty largely depends on the relationship you, as a filmmaker, build with your protagonists. It requires a sense of security, which can only emerge from a foundation of trust. Trust must be earned, and establishing it often takes time and emotional investment. Ultimately, this effort pays off, as it forms the bedrock of meaningful human connection. However, it’s important to recognise that this relationship-building journey alone may not guarantee that your protagonist possesses what it takes to drive your film. For a character to sustain your narrative and resonate with an audience, they must have a clear goal and something significant at stake in pursuing it. These elements are the heart of your story, essential for hooking viewers and maintaining interest throughout the film. Without this depth, you may end up with a profile film about an interesting person, but it will lack the rich layers and forward momentum vital to a compelling documentary. So as you develop your project, keep this in mind: taking the time to understand your protagonist not only deepens your relationship and enriches your sense of their character, but also allows you to tap into the emotions and motivations that create empathy and engagement with your audience. ___ If you want to give your filmmaking journey the support it deserves, and keep your story away from trouble, let’s connect. DM me a ⭐ to schedule a discovery session today.

Socially conscious stories can shape the narrative around a specific issue and help inform people through storytelling. Learn how to make socially-minded films → https://hubs.li/Q02vZ5rS0 #filmmaking #indiefilm #BirdMine

How Do You Craft a Docuseries With 30 Plus Years of Footage? https://ift.tt/6rPcga1 As any seasoned documentary filmmaker can tell you, sometimes watching through and getting a feel for all of the footage at your disposal (both shot for the production as well as the collected archival library) can be extremely daunting. Most projects have days upon years of material to intimately know and become familiarized with to tell your best story. Some can be 30 plus years of two of the most photographed celebrities in the world. So is the case for Netflix's extremely well made docuseries Beckham, profiling the celebrity footballer through four episodes of dense history and insight into his life today. The series, exquisitely edited by Emmy-award-winning ACE Michael Harte (Three Identical Strangers, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie), certainly feels crafted by creatives that didn't take any shortcuts crafting a mini series with a lot of heart and dedication to the subject they are profiling. The series is currently nominated for five Emmy awards, including best editing for Harte. We were lucky enough to sit down and talk the shop of the cut with Harte, where he breaks down the importance of obsessive organization, finding your voice as an editor, and so much more. Editor's note: The following quotes from Michael Harte are edited for length and clarity. Michael Harte: From PA to ACE "I was living in Dublin and there was a really strong documentary scene there. I started working with an editor as runner, and he showed up with a Harley Davidson—his name was Bob Caldwell. He was very cool guy and had a house on the beach in Dublin, which is unheard of, and even as an editor. And I was like, well, if I edit, this is what I'll get—a Harley Davidson and a house on the beach. I have neither. And he just let me cut from day one. We got on really well, and he was really encouraging. He had a tiny boutique edit suite and said, it's just me and, and when a project comes in, we're going to share the load, but you'll have to do some of the assistant edit work, but you're going to have to cut too because the industry started to take off. [After working there for a bit I went to London and eventually landed Three Identical Strangers]. That opened a lot of doors for me in terms of work." Define Your Workflow  "It depends on the director and how much work they've done by the time I come on board. With Three identical Strangers, [director] Tim Wardle was very organized before we even started. He knew a lot of the story beats—the story had already happened. So I could focus entirely on the editing on that one. The third act was the only exception, that was unfolding as we were cutting it, so we were trying to find that part of the story. With other projects it can be different. I don't like the word "pre-production" anymore because—sorry to post-production—because a lot of the times you come on board and the production is far from finished...

How does writers in Bollywood balance maintaining artistic integrity with the commercial demands of the film industry? In Bollywood, film writers face the intricate challenge of balancing artistic integrity with commercial demands. This delicate task involves aligning creative vision with industry pressures and navigating complex relationships with producers and directors. Historically, Bollywood’s shift from the golden era of cinema, where artistic quality was paramount, to a star-driven model emphasizes commercial success over script quality. Writers are often pressured to conform to popular formulas that guarantee box office hits, such as adding high-energy musical numbers or dramatic climaxes. For instance, adapting a script to fit a star’s image or meeting producer expectations can lead to compromises that affect the original narrative. Writers also face challenges in collaborative environments where their ideas are subject to feedback and revisions from directors and producers. Successful examples like “3 Idiots” demonstrate how writers can blend humor and emotional depth to achieve both artistic and commercial success. Additionally, adapting traditional narratives for modern audiences requires writers to balance respect for original stories with contemporary appeal, as seen in films like “Padmaavat.” Censorship and political pressures further complicate this balance. Writers must work within the constraints of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which can impose changes that affect their creative vision. The controversy surrounding “Udta Punjab” highlights how writers navigate these challenges while striving for both artistic expression and commercial viability. The rise of digital platforms and evolving audience preferences offer new opportunities for balancing these demands. Successes like “Sacred Games” showcase how writers can take creative risks and explore unconventional narratives to achieve critical and commercial success. Overall, Bollywood writers balance artistic integrity and commercial demands through strategic adaptation, negotiation, and innovation, striving to maintain their creative vision while meeting market expectations.