Documentary First

Special guest (for the second time) Joe Amodei gives us a history lesson, starting in the 50's & 60's with Bing Crosby & Jerry Lewis, then moving on to the 80's with VHS tapes. Joe shares how he started working at a video store and moved into distribution. He went from building other peoples businesses to building his own personal distribution company, starting with "Supersize Me". Christian shares about the timing of the release of "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" available for video-on-demand on November 1st and about recent in-person events (speaking tour). DocuView Déjà Vu: Jason: "Why You Should Watch Experimental Docs" (Video Essay) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Syn8obfyM Robbie: "Closed for Storm" (2020) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11372428/?ref_=fn_al_tt_0 Christian: "Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall" (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21053478/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Joe: "Sidney" (2020) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16977750/?ref_=fn_al_tt_0

How do you tell a story when the protagonist is a place? Our very own script-writer, Zach Callaghan, says "identity and purpose" are the two big things he looks for. Listen to his process of taking footage shot back in June 2022 for the Carentan project and developing it into a story. DocuView Déjà Vu: Christian: The Martha Mitchell Effect (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16379454 They'll Love Me When I'm Dead (2018) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6893836/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Jason: The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2015) This is a companion documentary to the feature by the same name. YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/D4WAUmyKDq0 Robbie: The Wrecking Crew (2008) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185418/ Zach: F for Fake (1973) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072962/

There has been a team shuffle. Jason Rugg is now in the host seat with Robbie Davis joining Christian and Jason. Christian gives an update before an impromptu "symposium" on story. Life is never linear or straight forward. Christian shares from her heart about the topsy-turviness of life with family and balancing work and priorities/commitments made that need to be honored. Much gratitude was given in the midst of a successful roller coaster event at the 2022 Currahee Military Weekend. Questions discussed: What makes a good story? How do you find a story in the midst of all the information and conversations? There are many treasures to be gleaned from this conversation. Get ready to exercise your cheek muscles. :-) DocuView Déjà Vu: Jason: Brent Forrester's TV Comedy Course https://www.brentforrester.com/webinar Robbie: Undefeated (2011) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1860355/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Christian: The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19034332/?ref_=nv_sr_s

Today we’re joined by a special guest, but first an update! The Girl Who Wore Freedom will be available on many streaming services soon, thanks to Virgil Films. We discuss E&O Insurance, and then dive into an update about The Documentary First Podcast. Judith Pearson Official Website: https://judithlpearson.com/books/the-wolves-at-the-door/ Virginia Hall: The True Story of America's Greatest Female Spy: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/podcast/history/virginia-hall-the-true-story-of-america-s-greatest-female-spy DocuView Déjà Vu: Robbie: The Sparks Brothers (2021) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8610436/ Jason’s: The Rescue (2021) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9098872 Christian: Count me In (2021) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6889042

Today we discuss "The Bear" and "Kobra Kai", then jump into discussing the current state of Christian’s next project: funding and budgets! DocuView Déjà Vu: Josh’s: Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary (1997) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116481/ Jason’s: Obi Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21860836/ Christian’s: Lucy and Desi (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12971802/

Christian has some exciting updates about the Carentan sizzle reel and The Brave Dutch! Also, she recently had a wonderful time zooming in alongside Michèle Phoenix at a screening held at Documentary First's long-time friend, Laura Priebe's, church. If you are interested in live events, you can email Christan@documentaryfirst.com. Tickets for Currahee Military Museum, Toccoa, GA, September 29 event Adult: https://www.toccoahistory.com/storeandmemberships/the-girl-who-wore-freedom-adult-ticket-10 Student or Child: https://www.toccoahistory.com/storeandmemberships/the-girl-who-wore-freedom-student-or-child DocuView Déjà Vu: Christian's: Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (2021) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14539744/

Staying afloat selling a movie has its own set of troubles. This week we celebrate the small wins! The Girl Who Wore Freedom is one step closer to being represented by Virgil Films. Also, new connections introduce new ways of producing income. DocuView Déjà Vu: Christian's: Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much (2017): www.imdb.com/title/tt6854248 Josh's: Light & Magic (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19896784/ Jason's: The G Word with Adam Conover (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13649532/

Today we’re joined by Christian, Josh and Jason! We talk through Christian’s new distribution deal, Error and Omission Insurance and in person screenings of the film! DocuView Déjà Vu: Josh’s: The Staircase (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11324406/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 The Staircase (2004): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388644/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3 Christian’s: Made you Look: A True Story About Fake Art (2020): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11994750/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Jason’s: The Inside Outtakes - Bo Burnham (2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XWEVoI40sE RRR: Rise Roar Revolt (2022)(Not a documentary): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8178634/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Christian is looking for new ways to distribute her film even as her team starts focusing on other projects. Josh wonders how much value there is in putting energy into a film that has already run its course in the film circuit. DocuView Déjà Vu: Josh's: Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy (2004) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416716/ Christian's: Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20602042/

Christian sits down with her sound team, Jeff Kurtenacker (Composer) and Jason Hoban (Sound Engineer), to bounce ideas around concerning the development of her next project, The Brave Dutch. DocuView Déjà Vu: Christian's: Jane (2017) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7207238/ Jeff's: Our Father (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19704638/ Jason's: Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller (2020) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10370750

Today we’re back with Josh, Christian and Jason. We stop and remember Brad Freeman of Easy Company, and discuss what’s going on with the film now, and the highs and lows of production. DocuView Déjà Vu: Josh’s: Val (2021) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14731254 Christian’s: Julia (2021) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13782428 Jason’s: Chernobyl: the Lost Tapes (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13913326

Zach Callaghan refreshes us on how he joined the team as a staff writer. Initially hired to help with documentary guideline work, he also shares how he become an impromptu production crew member in France.

At the tail-end of her journey in France this Summer, Christian talks with Josh Lindsay about the thick of what was a packed schedule. Screenings, filming a sizzle reel, and honoring veterans were just a few of the things on the list. Listen to hear the rest! DocuView Déjà Vu: American Movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181288/ Somebody Feed Phil: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7752034

Carentan sizzle reel shoot is done! Christian and Co-Producer, Michelle Coupey review the past few weeks with TGWWF and give a quick peek into the most recent shoot in Normandy.

By the time you're reading this, Christian will have already left Georgia for France. This is a fresh recollection of the whirlwind of events that's happened on the US side with companies like Delta, Michelin, and the Best Defense Foundation. But now we're off to Normandy to film our next project, and how things like hiring a French crew on site and bringing over the Documentary First team is discussed.

Christian and Jason dive into Christian’s last week of travels for the film, then we dive into corporate sponsorships and what they mean for filmmakers. Christian walks us through her visit to New York City, the players club, site seeing, and visiting Staten Island. After that we dive into corporate sponsorships, what they mean for a filmmaker, a film, and the company sponsoring. XUMO.TV DocuView Déjà Vu: Lost in La Mancha: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308514/

Today we’re joined by just Christian and Jason, Christian’s back from Reims, France. We discuss Josh’s middle initial, Christian’s visit to the Red Movie Awards, and her wins! Christian gives us the rundown of the film festival. We detour into best networking practices, bringing something to offer. Then Christian gives us an update about her new distribution agreement. DocuView Déjà Vu: Class Action Park: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11015214/ Before the Flood: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5929776/

This week Christian traveled to Reims, France for the RED Movie Awards (Reims Excellence Director) annual ceremony, and met with local special guests, Dany and Flo, to reminisce about the events that got them to where they are now. Bar of June 6 Website: https://bardu6juin.eatbu.com/?lang=en FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/Bardu6juinEpicerielaMadeleine

Today is the final episode in our limited series about distribution, where we reveal the name of Christian’s distributor! We talk through distributor woes, Panera woes, new distributor agreements, contracts, and updates about Cannes Film Market. The film is now available for streaming and DVD on the film’s website: https://thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/ Christian then gives us an update about her time at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, a film made at the festival, and what’s next! JaxandChawn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxandchawn/?hl=en Jason Rugg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaseruggy The Movie Proposal Podcast: https://themovieproposal.libsyn.com/ DocuView Déjà Vu: Block Buster Podcast: https://www.getblockbuster.com/ We Didn't Start the Fire: The History Podcast: ‎https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-didnt-start-the-fire-the-history-podcast/id1549243765 The Automat: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4554690/reference/

Listen to our final episode to our 3-part series on distribution, but first, Christian gives an update on Grueling Glory from Dubuque, IA! Next, she shares victories in gaining self-distribution and informs why paying attention to the fine print matters. DocuView Déjà Vu: Hoop Dreams https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110057/ America to Me (Oak Park episode) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7768836/ Every Frame a Painting https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjFqcJQXGZ6T6sxyFB-5i6A Robert's Village https://www.brianbussvideo.com/tulibumu-sub