The Documentary Life

The Documentary Life
  • 4.8 (126)
  • TV & FILM
The Documentary Life

Have a passion for making documentary films? Want to learn how to best lead a documentary life? Join award-winning commercial and documentary filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst, and special industry guests as they candidly share their filmmaking stories, insights, and experiences, for all to learn how to best lead and live their own documentary dream lives.

  1. 10/02/2020

    140 – All Good Things Must Come to An End

    Can you believe that it was over four years ago that we first began producing episodes of The Documentary Life?? Well, neither can we. But as they say, all good things must come to an end! It has been a great ride this here podcast over the past four years! Which is why this is not our typical end-of-the-season show, my #doclifer friend. Don't miss this one thinking that it's simply a re-hash of parts of past episodes. It is truly much more than that. And finally, I'd like to say, thank you, old Friend. Thank you.    Sponsors & Thank Yous  ° Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!   SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |  Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!

    31 min

  2. 09/18/2020

    139 - Winning an Oscar for Your Documentary Film

    Imagine stepping up to the podium to accept your award for Best Documentary Feature for the film that you have put your heart, soul, blood sweat tears into. What would you say? Who would thank? Where would you even start? Well, Steven Bognar, of this year's American Factory knows precisely what this feels like. And he details the story of he and his partner, Julia Reichert's walk to that Oscar podium. And he details a heckuva lot more about what it means to live the life of a documentary filmmaker in Dayton, OH, far from the neon lights of New York, London, or L.A. And what it means to make meaningful documentaries that impact a lot of people and win a lot of awards. What it means to live and lead a documentary life. Topics Discussed host Chris G. Parkhurst gives some History 101 of documentaries and the Academy Awardswhy its beneficial to the world that documentary filmmakers make films from where they are athow American Factory came from turning down what was initially meant to be a corporate video for the Fuyao factoryplay-by-play of Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert's walk to the podium to accept their award for Best Documentary Featureunique sound approaches that were brought to American Factory   Additional Resources  Trailer for American Factory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36QeKOJ2Fc   American Factory wins Best Documentary Feature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF4ytC3-M3g   Sponsors & Thank Yous  ° Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!   SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |  Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!

    52 min

  3. 09/04/2020

    138 - Cinematography in Documentary Film

    In the past, documentary cinematography has been in the shadow of narrative feature's, overlooked because of certain, perhaps unfair assumptions about the craft. Well, that is no longer the case since the American Society of Cinematographers, as of this year, has an award for Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Filmmaking. And cinematographers, Fejmi Daut and Samir Ljuma, of the Academy Award nominated, Honeyland, were the recipients of that inaugural award. (Not to mention a host of other cinematography awards!) And so we have today's episode which is entirely dedicated to the craft of documentary cinematography! Topics Discussed host Chris G. Parkhurst talks about what makes a good documentary cinematographer and where we can find themwhat it's like working as a two person cinematography teamhow the shooting style changed dramatically midway into filming due to an unforeseen shift in storyworking without power in rural Macedoniaachieving the perpetual golden hour look of Honeyland   Additional Resources  FREE DOWNLOAD OF HONEYLAND CONVERSATION PART TWO As mentioned in the show, there is much more to my conversation with cinematographers, Fejmi Daut and Samir Ljuma. Too much to put into a single show! To listen to the second part of that conversation head over HERE for your free download!   Trailer for Honeyland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27ORUHlp6E   Finding the star of Honeyland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj9mT91fe64   Honeyland at DOCNYC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJo1dvoo67k   Sponsors & Thank YousMusic Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!Music Vine Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode. We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different. Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across. If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine. And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!! PROMO CODE: doclife15   Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word    Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer! So where can you do this?   THE D-WORDWHAT IS THE D-WORD The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker a...

    42 min

  4. 08/21/2020

    137 - Reality Television and the Documentary Filmmaker

    It wasn't that long ago when reality television was a dirty word that incited some pretty strong feelings among the documentary filmmaking crowd. However, non fiction television has come a long way in the past few years. Of course, don't take my word for it. Take it from fellow documentary filmmaker, Joe Litzinger, who is the executive producer of some of non fiction tv's most well known and respected (did I say respected?) shows.   Topics Discussed host Chris G. Parkhurst talks about how documentary filmmakers can use their abilities to advantage in other avenues of productionwhy doc filmmakers are well suited for reality televisionhow one procures work in the reality tv industrythe advantages of shooting a documentary film over reality tvhow reality television supports Joe Litzinger's documentary life   Additional ResourcesTrailer for Zulu Summer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-BcYvbbl-s   Trailer for Will Work for Views https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx2Nt1cYA0E   Behind the Scenes for Life Below Zero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTBmwAhCd4c&list=PLh_0X_RDOHqHuDMD3ft0cZ7gqlF6kHhsE&index=14   Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word    Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer! So where can you do this?   THE D-WORDWHAT IS THE D-WORD The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!" We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word. The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.  Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar? Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.  Sponsors & Thank Yous  ° Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode

    36 min

  5. 08/07/2020

    136 - Documentary Filmmaking During a Pandemic

    Documentary filmmaking during this time of a pandemic is something that so many of us doc filmmakers are contemplating. Or doing. Or not doing. Today's episode is filled with both a discussion on the ethics of documentary production during this time as well as best practices & safety protocol for those of us who are making our docs during this time. Documentary filmmaker and TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst, delves into this discussion with IDA's Carrie Lozano and award-winning documentary filmmaking, Heidi Ewing. Topics Discussed Chris G. Parkhurst's tips for filming during this time of Covidthe whats, whys, hows of IDA's The Ethics of Documentary Production in a Pandemichow Carrie Lozano's background in both journalism and documentary filmmaker has made her uniquely positioned to discuss filming during this timewhy award-winning documentary filmmaker, Heidi Ewing has chosen to film during this timehow documentary filmmaking inherently is made up of a number of ethical decisionsEwing's best practices & safety protocol for doc filmmakers   Additional Resources Read for yourself IDA's The Ethics of Documentary Production in a Pandemic         Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word    Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer! So where can you do this?   THE D-WORDWHAT IS THE D-WORD The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!" We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word. The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.  Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar? Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.  Sponsors & Thank Yous  ° Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too...

    49 min

  6. 07/24/2020

    135 - Race and Documentary Filmmaking

    Questions of race and who has the right to tell another person's or culture's or race's stories have recently been at the forefront of the documentary community's collective consciousness. More than that, it's been the subject of recent debate and discussion, whether in industry-led panels, major publications, or social media. Documentary filmmaker and TDL host, Chris G. Parkhurst, delves into this difficult, sometimes divisive discussion with two of documentary's own, Marjan Safinia and Grace Lee. Topics Discussed how Safinia and Lee came to collaborate on PBS' And She Could Be Nextoverlook at discussions of race in the documentary community over the past few monthswho has the right to tell a story and whyhow people of color in the American documentary industry can have less access and resources than their white counterpartsHow minorities are looking to reclaim and change the way that their stories are being told   Additional ResourcesTeaser, And She Could Be Next https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPgO1J-Y2DY   Continuing the Discussion with The D-Word    Today's episode is only the beginning of the conversation. Now it's time to have your voice heard, #doclifer! So where can you do this?   THE D-WORDWHAT IS THE D-WORD The D-Word began in 1996 as a series of online journal entries by filmmaker Doug Block depicting the joy and angst of making and selling his feature documentary, Home Page. In the words of Mr. Block, "it was meant to inform, inspire, humor and depress the hell out of working or aspiring documentary filmmakers, or anyone else interested in the filmmaking process, for that matter!" We had Doug on the show way back in EPISODE #105, where he discussed those early days working as an independent documentary filmmaker. And how this would lead him to creating the first incarnation of The D-Word. The D-Word has long-since evolved into a virtual community and is now the largest, longest-running one of its kind, currently numbering more than 19,000 members from 147 countries.  Its focus is now on hosting free discussions on documentary film and production and leading a documentary life. Sound familiar? Get started with The D-Word today, by completing their free APPLICATION.  Sponsors & Thank Yous  ° Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!   SubscribeApple | Spotify | a...

    51 min

  7. 07/10/2020

    The Online Film Festival for the Documentary Filmmaker

    Lyndon Stone is the founder and festival director of Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. Melody Gilbert is a documentary filmmaker well acquainted with the world of film festivals. In light of Covid events, both the festival director and filmmaker, have had to pivot their approaches to documentary film festivals. This is the kind of discussion we documentary filmmakers have been wanting to have ever since the pandemic greatly impacted our doc lives. Topics Discussed how Lyndon Stone has incorporated a hybrid approach to this year's MDFFhow the virtual festival can actually be a good thing for both the festival director as well as the documentary filmmakerwhy doco Melody Gilbert was initially hesitant to premiere her documentary feature at MSPIFF whichhow an online film festival might actually be very advantageous to the independent documentary filmmaker   Additional ResourcesTeaser for Silicone Soul https://vimeo.com/350156250   Check out the full roster of this year's Melbourne Documentary Film Festival!   Sponsors & Thank YousMusic Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!Music Vine Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode. We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different. Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across. If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine. And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!! PROMO CODE: doclife15   ° Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!   SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |  Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your support!

    46 min

  8. 06/26/2020

    Spirituality in Documentary Filmmaking with Mickey Lemle

    Mickey Lemle has made documentary films about some of the most brilliant individuals in the modern world. From His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Ram Dass to Sir Laurens van der Post, Lemle has been rubbing shoulders with great minds who all have very spiritual & compassionate ways of living. Lemle has had the splendid fortune to be able to tell their stories. Topics Discussed how Lemle’s time in Nepal in the Peace Corps informed him about Tibet and in turn led to his making his first documentary filmhow/why he treats doc filmmaking as personal explorationhow to make one’s spiritual documentary accessible to a wider audiencethe power of a meditation practice to doc filmmakerstips for interviewing the most incredible minds of the world   Additional ResourcesTeaser for The Last Dalai Lama? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_Rpg_36ig   Teaser for Compassion in Exile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDXbAPx2kew     To check out Mickey Lemle's full roster of DOCUMENTARY FILMS.   Sponsors & Thank YousMusic Vine 15 PERCENT OFF!Music Vine Thank you to music licensing platform, Music Vine for contributing the wonderful music that we’ve used in this week’s episode. We’ve used many music licensing platforms over the years for commercials, corporate videos, and documentaries and these guys are definitely different. Their music catalogue is truly fresh, diverse, full of character, their search engine is as straight forward and user friendly and their licensing fees? Unlike anywhere else we have come across. If you need any music for your doc project, we can honestly recommend Music Vine. And make sure to use our promo code to get an additional 15 percent off of any subscription!! PROMO CODE: doclife15   ° Free Music Archive – Special Thank You to recording artist, Dlay who supplied music for this week’s episode of TDL. You too can download his music or other artists’ music by going to Free Music Archive today!   SubscribeApple | Spotify | Stitcher |  Rate and ReviewIf you have found value in this podcast please leave a review so it can become more visible to others. Simply click the link and then click on the Ratings and Reviews tab to make your entry. Thank you for your...

    48 min
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4.8
out of 5
126 Ratings

About

Have a passion for making documentary films? Want to learn how to best lead a documentary life? Join award-winning commercial and documentary filmmaker, Chris G. Parkhurst, and special industry guests as they candidly share their filmmaking stories, insights, and experiences, for all to learn how to best lead and live their own documentary dream lives.

Information

  • Creator
    The Documentary Life
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2020
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2016-2019, Barang Films, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Documentary Life

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