Documentary First

When you're making a film, remember to take notes about the archival footage, usage rights, and sources for everything added to the film. Learn from our first time filmmaker, Christian Taylor as she talks to co-hosts Josh Lindsay and Jason Rugg about creating the "rights bible" required for proving their rights to the footage in the film. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Christian Taylor visits her family in Tennessee and (surprise, surprise), she screens the film. While she was there she hears new stories that make her start thinking about her next film. (Is there some sort of filmmakers Stockholm syndrome?) She goes on from there to an adventure with Flo Planna and ends up cleaning a world war museum's storage locker and returning home with some incredible mementos. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, co-host and Director Christian Taylor recap focus groups events from one coast to the other: The Villages, Florida to Phelan, California. These two focus groups were on different ends of the spectrum but both very special for their own unique reasons. Listen to hear the stories and people who have helped make this possible. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, co-host and Director Christian Taylor recaps her experience running two of the most impactful focus groups so far at the Branson Military Film Festival. Hear how the original girl who wore freedom, Dani Patrix, visited from Normandy and received the key to the city. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Collaboration on a project as large as a film like The Girl Who Wore Freedom is difficult. Films take years to produce and it's natural for our priorities or goals to shift along the way. In this episode Director Christian Taylor and co-hosts Jason Rugg and Josh Lindsay discuss how to work with folks and roll with the punches. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this special Thanksgiving episode, first-time filmmaker Christian Taylor looks back over the last year and shares the many things for which she's thankful. Want to help us make the film? We need volunteers and donations to help finish work on the film. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 success of your project. Want to help us make The Girl Who Wore Freedom? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 rights? In the midst of all of the focus group events, it can be difficult to know what to do. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 new ideas. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 film by the same name, The Girl Who Wore Freedom. Get the book at https://amzn.to/2HtQ9iF. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 in TN. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 the mistakes The Girl Who Wore Freedom has already made and what hope to do about it. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this special edition episode of Documentary First, we bring you important information about upcoming screenings for The Girl Who Wore Freedom. Listen in and see more at https://www.normandystories.com/screenings. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

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 Taylor, Director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom shares what it's been like to respond to feedback and her own convictions about needing to shorten the film. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

What is something you shouldn't do when running a focus group event? In this episode, Director Christian Taylor talks about what she's learned from her recent experience attending four focus groups for The Girl Who Wore Freedom in Colorado earlier this year. One tip: don't be afraid to ask for donations even if you'll get rejected. Speaking of which, have you considered donating to support the film? Visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Projects like The Girl Who Wore Freedom need volunteers to exist. Volunteers who are hungry for growth have many opportunities to gain real-world experience and do work they'd be proud to show others. It's a win-win situation for both parties. When should someone start getting paid for the work that they do? And how do you find social media influencers and partners to cross-promote your work? Find out how this plan began and how we were approached by the folks at Ike's Soldiers (ikessoldiers.com). Do you know someone with fundraising experience? The Girl Who Wore Freedom needs help and we're willing to share a percentage of proceeds to get that work done. Contact us for more information: https://www.normandystories.com/contact.

When the idea for The Girl Who Wore Freedom was conceived a lot had to happen in a short amount of time. Now that there is a documentary of the film out there, we take stock of what we have and consider the format. What if a documentary would really work better as a three-part miniseries? What steps are necessary to get listed on Netflix, Amazon Video, or even a cable network like The History Channel? Should a documentary even consider that?

Christian has had a chance to catch her breath and is ramping up for focus group events in Denver, Colorado Springs, New York, Branson, and beyond! Find an event near you: https://normandystories.com/events. These focus groups are being organized and spearheaded by people who are passionate about sharing The Girl Who Wore Freedom in their city and helping us raise funds to finish the film.  If you're looking to support us and get some cool clothing or souvenirs, check out the new Girl Who Wore Freedom shop: https://normandystories.com/shop.