11 episodes
The DocFix Documentary Storytelling Podcast Nigel Levy
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- TV & Film
Are you struggling to turn your idea into a great documentary story? This podcast takes you through the steps that world-class documentary makers use to create compelling documentaries from real-life ideas. Whether it's for Netflix, The BBC, or Amazon, or you are just starting out, great storytelling is what your audience craves - it's the foundation of every successful documentary. Award-winning documentary maker Nigel Levy goes behind the scenes to discuss the key story skills behind some of the most successful documentaries and factual series screened, including those in which he's had a key role. These include the Netflix hit F1: Drive to Survive, Natural History - writing for Sir David Attenborough - numerous feature documentaries and his TV docs The Language Master and Fatal Attractions. You'll hear from writers, directors, and creatives working at the highest level in the industry. Ideas are easy; stories are like magic. Listen and understand why. There's really no need for any of this to be a mystery anymore.
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How 'The Gladiator' cinematographer thinks about film, a unique perspective from one of the greats.
When we sat down to talk, John Mathieson and just returned from shooting Gladiator 2 with Ridley Scott in Malta. He was part of the orignal team, having wenty-five years earlier shot the original iconic film. Afer that first collaboration he was the cinematographer for numerous films for Scott, including Kingdom of Heaven, Hannibal and Robin Hood. He also photographed the superhero film closest to being art, the Wolverine film 'Logan'. Other projects include The Man Fro...
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Learning and Growing as a documentary storyteller - the Four Essential Stages
The art of documentary storytelling is not a static skill, but a journey with distinct milestones. I'm Nigel Levy, your guide through the labyrinth of crafting compelling narratives, and this episode of DocFix Documentary Storytelling Podcast is your roadmap. This is about unearthing the universal skills that will elevate your craft regardless of your starting point. From the spark of excitement when you stumble upon a great story, to the daunting task of sifting through a mou...
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In conversation with DocFix student James - from scattered facts to a great story
This episode it a little different, as it's a converation between myself and James, a student of the DocFix Program.James' background is in drama, and later as part of the marketing department of Lionsgate Films, a very large US entertainment company and film producer and distributor. James came to us with his passion project, and his first documentary, to learn how to turn his idea into a powerful, meaningful story. This, by the way, is great evidence that the success of your film comes...
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Sculpting Documentary Stories Through The Score with composer Birger Clausen
Birger Clausen, the composer, is one of my closest collaborators, most recently on the two-time Emmy nominated (including for music and sound) and RTS winning 9/11: Life Under Attack.In this episode we talk about many things - the relationship with the composer, mood and storytelling, the use of specific effects and the avoidance of cliche, trends in the industry and even the impact of Artificial Intelligence.But, in this episode, it struck me that a key aspect was understanding the reality o...
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From editing Star Wars to hit Indie docs: Storytelling Insights from Col Goudie
When Col Goudie joined me as the editor on a documentary I was directing about the one-legged World War 2 flying ace Douglas Bader, they turned up in a flying jacket and walking on crutches with a limp.It was a co-incidence. Col is brilliant, but not that method! But it does indicate something of the enthusiasm and passion of this hugely successful documentary and drama editor. As an editor, Col’s fingerprints are on everything from the blockbuster success of Star Wars Rogue One, the ind...
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The secret behind the Meerkat Superstars - with writer director Caroline Hawkins
This conversation tells the tale behind the meerkat soap opera superstars, a venture that started as a documentary idea and blossomed into a series with a massive following (fans include Tom Cruise and Robert Redford). The series creator Caroline Hawkins takes us from conception to realization, involving a trip to Cambridge University, convincing a meerkat expert, and the challenges of shooting in the wild. This is an insight into the reality of the creator's journey.We also discuss how...