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In this powerful episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor sits down with Emmy-winning filmmaker Robin Hamilton for a deep dive into the art of storytelling, social justice, and the impact of documentary filmmaking. Robin shares her journey from journalism to filmmaking, her passion for uncovering untold stories, and the responsibility filmmakers have in shaping conversations about history and justice.
Together, they explore the significance of Fannie Lou Hamer’s legacy, the challenges of tackling difficult histories, and the bravery required to address controversial topics. Robin reflects on how storytelling can be a tool for healing, resistance, and change—especially in today’s turbulent socio-political climate. Whether you’re a filmmaker, history enthusiast, or just love compelling stories, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and motivation to tell stories that truly matter.
Robin’s Recommended books:
“Memoir of a Race Traitor” by Mab Segrest. Link:
Memoir of a Race Traitor | The New Press
“This Little Light of Mine: the Life of Fannie Lou Hamer” by Kay Mills. Link: https://library.si.edu/donate/adopt-a-book/little-light-mine
DocuView Déjà Vu
Robin:
“Odessa’s Reign”, 2021, Short Film, 22 mins, Watch trailer on
Around Robin Production Company IMDB Link: 
Odessa’s Reign (2021) – IMDb
“13th” , 2016, 100mins, Watch on Netflix, IMDB Link:
13th (2016) – IMDb
Timecodes:
⏳ 01:00 – Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking & Current Events
🎥 03:58 – Meet Robin Hamilton: A Filmmaker’s Journey
📖 06:48 – The Impact of Fannie Lou Hamer’s Story
📰 10:10 – From Journalism to
In this episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor sits down with seasoned media professional Teddy Cannon, whose 25+ years in the industry span politics, entertainment, and documentary filmmaking. Teddy shares his journey growing up in a foreign service family, transitioning from in front of the camera to behind it, and his deep dive into the world of archival production.
They explore the critical role of archival producers, the complexities of rights and clearances, and the evolving landscape of documentary filmmaking in response to current events. Teddy also discusses the devastating impact of the Palisades Fire on LA’s film industry, the broader challenges of the pandemic and strikes, and why documentaries are on the rise. Plus, he introduces 3PSync and Arcworks—two groundbreaking AI-driven tools designed to revolutionize archival management and streamline the filmmaking process.
Docuview Déjà Vu
Netflix vs. The World, 2019, 104 mins, Watch on Netflix and various streamers including Prime, IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8407418/reference/
Kiss The Future, 2023, 103 mins, Watch on Paramount +, IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17022868/reference/
Movie: Bank of Dave, 2023, 107 mins, Watch on Netflix or Prime, IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14308636/reference/
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking
02:19 Teddy Cannon’s Background and Experience
08:38 The Journey from Politics to Filmmaking
10:55 The Evolution of Teddy’s Career in Media
15:31 The Role of Archival Producers in Documentaries
23:48 Challenges in Archival Rights and Clearances
25:40 The Impact of the Palisades Fire
29:57 The State of the Film Industry Post-Fire
34:57 Navigating Industry Changes and Challenges
41:07 The Role of AI in Documentary Production
45:50 Introducing Arcworks: A New Solution for Archival Management
52:04 Docu-View DejaVu Segment