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Episode 37: Networking
In the heat of the moment, you can feel very low when you feel like a meeting or focus group goes poorly. But it's impossible to know how a single conversation will lead to more opportunities and ultimately influence the ...
Episode 36: Drowning
Everything is possible, but what's best? In this episode, our hosts discuss what it feels like to make a documentary film and the multitude of options and opinions out there about what should happen next. Film festivals? The Oscars? Distribution ...
Episode 35: Fundraising
Fundraising is tough. Even the best documentary filmmakers like Ken Burns still has trouble finding doners that make films possible. What works? Hosts Christian Taylor and Josh Lindsey share some of the things that have worked and how to brainstorm ...
Episode 34: Entrepreneurship
What does it take to be a voiceover actor? Or a film director? Or a book author? Hosts Christian Taylor and Josh Lindsey discuss entrepreneurship to highlight common skills needed for success in a multitude of careers. Want to help ...
Episode 33: Book Publishing
Have you ever wanted to write a book? In May of 2019, Christian Taylor co-authored a book with Peggy Sue Wells to give people another avenue to learn about the stories of veterans and (hopefully) raise some money for the ...
Episode 32: Invest in People
In this episode, Director Christian Taylor shares her difficult technique for turning people into your biggest fans. Invest your time to listen to them! Hear how she came to that conclusion and all about her adventures with focus group events ...
Episode 31: Homecoming
Director Christian Taylor shares an emotional story of serendipity as she reunites two long lost brothers and brings together veterans, French families, and high schoolers for a memorable focus group event in Stoneybrook, NY. Want to help us make the ...
Episode 30: How NOT to Make a Documentary
If you're planning to make a documentary, be prepared for a lot of failure and unexpected setbacks. It takes someone like Thomas Edison (or Director Christian Taylor) to spin "1,000 mistakes" into "1,000 small steps to success". Learn some of ...
Special Edition: Upcoming Focus Groups
In this special edition episode of Documentary First, we bring you important information about upcoming focus group events for The Girl Who Wore Freedom. Listen in and see more at https://thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/events. Want to help us make the film? We're looking ...
Episode 29: Killing Your Babies
How many times do you have to watch your dear film before you decide that it really will be okay to cut some things out? In the industry, this is referred to as "killing your babies". In this episode, Christian ...
In this profoundly moving first installment of a two-part episode, Documentary First host Christian Taylor interviews Steve Cohen, Billy Joel’s longtime creative director and the executive producer of the new HBO docuseries Billy Joel: And So It Goes.
Steve Cohen, the executive producer, shares his journey from lighting stages to producing emotional documentaries, emphasizing the collaborative effort that brings these stories to life.
Steve reflects on:
Meeting Billy Joel in 1974 and forging a lifelong creative partnership
The soul of Billy Joel’s songwriting: honesty, heartbreak, and healing
How Susan Lacy’s empathetic direction helped uncover hidden emotional truths
What it means to tell someone else’s story with care, depth, and dignity
The healing power of revisiting past relationships through art
For listeners who’ve ever found themselves in a song—or wanted to understand the quiet brilliance behind a musical legend—this episode is a masterclass in the art of documentary storytelling and a heartfelt tribute to legacy, resilience, and human connection.
No DocuView Déjà Vu
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Emotional Connection
04:04 The Journey Begins: Meeting Billy Joel
08:03 The Documentary: A Deep Dive into Billy Joel’s Life
11:57 The Collaborative Process of Filmmaking
15:52 The Role of Relationships in Billy Joel’s Music
20:03 Reflections on Billy Joel’s Legacy and Impact
30:45 The Emotional Connection of Music
36:00 Creating Comfort in Documentary Filmmaking
39:41 The Art of Storytelling Through Music