Get ready for an exciting new episode of Documentary First! In episode 192, we’re diving deep into the impact of life on the process of filmmaking. With team members experiencing unexpected life events, we explore how creativity is affected when life gets in the way. You won’t want to miss the insightful thoughts the team received from another filmmaker, Flo Plana, and Christian’s thrilling experience winning not one, but TWO camera packages at a local fundraising film festival.

Plus, with the 2023 Oscars fresh on our minds, we delve into the winners, losers and what we think this year’s Oscars might mean for the future of filmmaking. Is the Academy still relevant? And how does a film get nominated? Join us for this fascinating conversation, and don’t forget to check out our bonus segment on the future of the film industry, exclusively available to our Patreon supporters.

DocuView Déjà Vu Segment

Jason: “Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia”, 2023, HBO Max https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26618018/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5

Zach: “All The Beauty and The Bloodshed”, 2022, 122 mins, Prime Video https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21374850/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2

Christian: “Chicken People”, 2016, 83 mins https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4819510/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Conversation Time Codes:

00:30 – Zach Callaghan Bio

01:37 – Zach gives a writing update on the Taking Carentan Project

02:26 – Flo Plana came to town and gives some great suggestions to deepen the story lines of “Taking Carentan”

04:37 – Jason poses an idea for an episode – “What makes a good sizzle?”

05:58 – Topic adjustments including “Reflections on life and filming” – How life impacts or happens in the process of making a film.

10:47 – Creativity & Emotions – thoughts by Zach & Jason

13:47 – Where do creative story ideas come from?

15:48 – Christian shares about her experience a the “Patrick Live On Film Festival & Fundraiser” in the Chicago area. In particular, one short film “Fraser Syndrome and Me” had a profound impact and she was able to meet the film maker. Along with a new realization about the power of documentary films.

26:18 – Raffles, Raffles, Raffles – Christian wins 3 and 2 of those were film packages that will help with the May filming in Fort Campbell for “Taking Carentan”

27:07 – The morning after the Oscars show. The team recaps the Oscars and wonders whether this year is an indication of a changing industry

39:06 Jason Rugg was reminded of this video during the Oscars recap:
Maggie Rogers – folk / Alaska (Pharrell’s feedback)

41:30 – Does the Academy really matter?

48:20 – How film festivals tie into the Academy Awards and the money required to get a nomination to the Oscars.

55:02 – DocuView Déjà Vu Segment

59:45 – A quick Film update from Christian