Documentary First | Christian Taylor

Documentary First

Tv EN ↓ 304 episodes

The craft and business of documentary filmmaking — from people who actually do it. Documentary First is a weekly podcast for working and aspiring documentary filmmakers who want honest, in-depth conversations about how documentaries get funded, made, and seen. Hosted by Christian Taylor — award-winning director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom (25+ international awards, distributed through Virgil Films, Swank, and Canal+) — the show draws on 270+ interviews with documentary filmmakers, editors, producers, distributors, and composers across HBO, Netflix, PBS, and the independent doc world. Past gue...

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Author

Documentary First | Christian Taylor

Category

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Podcast website

tinyurl.com

Latest episode

Oct 15, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 153 | FLIC Round-Up, TGWWF Update and Deja-Vu DocuView 10.02.2022

It's a snow day, and Christian's back from Montana for the Flathead Lake Film Festival. She gives us an update on the trip, the Miracle of America Museum, and Mission Mountain. Feeling Through https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1CqzntEZZ8 Accessible Outdoors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOw2_Zy9-tw Five Came Back https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6587094/ Thin Blue Line https://www.imdb.com/title/tt00...

Episode 152 | Rejection and Reflections 03.02.2022

Christian talks about people reaching out to her asking for help/advice for their first documentary. Then we get an update on the sub-distribution of The Girl Who Wore Freedom, including some crushing news. We talk about the changing environment of streaming, distribution, different channels, and the way the industry has shifted in the last few years. Then we dive deep into podcast space, understa...

Episode 151 | More Festivals, Sizzle Reel Requirements, and Deja-vu DocuView 27.01.2022

The crew’s back together, Christian gives us an update about Documentary First Productions! "Grueling Glory" will be showing at the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest, possibly showing The Girl Who Wore Freedom again. TGWWF has been nominated for several awards at the Red Movie Awards, which qualifies as their French Premiere! Then we talk through the new sizzle reel Christian will be shooting...

Episode 150 | Production Team Talk for Grueling Glory 27.01.2022

Listen to Jeff Kurtenacker, Composer, and Jason Hoban, Sound Engineer talk about their work on "Grueling Glory | The March to Carentan" Documentary First's 9-minute short film. The film is nominated for Best Documentary Short at Flathead Lake International Cinemafest in Polson, Montana, happening January 28-30, 2022.   Christian Taylor's recommendations: ・"Sinatra: All or Nothing at All" http://w...

Episode 149 | Our New Short "Grueling Glory", Michèle Phoenix 13.01.2022

Today we're joined by Michèle Phoenix, we talk through Grueling Glory, how it happened, and what the experience has been like. Christian talks through some rejections, some film festival updates, and the other projects. Mentioned on the podcast: "Radium Girls" Movie https://www.netflix.com/title/81059876 "Fragments of Light" Book Trailer (Jeff Kurtenacker composed the accompaniment) https://www.yo...

Episode 148 | How Covid Has Changed the Film Industry 06.01.2022

Emmy Award winning producer, published author, and returning Documentary First guest, Sandy Gordon, walks through Covid safety protocols in the film industry.

Episode 147 | Just a Quick Update 29.12.2021

It is just Christian this time giving a short recap of what her trip was like reconnecting with friends of the film on her recent trip to France. This includes seeing Dany Patrix's family bar be revived, getting a tour guide in author, Denis Van Den Brink, and meeting with the mayor of Carentan in a church bell tower.

Episode 146 | Doc Podcasting "Why and How?" 23.12.2021

Where do podcasts come from? This week we engage in the ins and outs of finding your voice through podcasting. The struggles, the joys, and the technical bumps along the way are all about the process.  

Episode 145 | Year-End Announcement 16.12.2021

We wrap this year off with a special announcement- - the rebranding of our film company to: Documentary First. Take a quick behind the scenes look at the roll out of this exciting news with Josh Lindsay and Christian Taylor.

Episode 144 | Festival Deep Dive and Company Update 08.12.2021

On this episode, we’re talking through Christian’s movies/series pitches, where they’ve been pitched and some updates about the film. We talk through Flickfair, their film festival and how Christian discovered them. Then we talk through rebranding and Patreon, which you can support us at here: https://www.patreon.com/DocFirstPodcast

Episode 143 | Plan, Prepare, Persevere 01.12.2021

Today we’re joined by James Mason, the new Director of Living Stories. We talk through what that means, why and what they’re doing, and how things are changing within the organization. We talk about Melissa Perkins leaving the team, how Christian could have prepared better, and the implications of a long term project like a documentary. Then we dive into productivity tools, systems and websites to...

Episode 142 | Working, the Holidays and Giving Thanks 26.11.2021

We recollect favorite thanksgiving movies and general thanksgiving. Christian has studio updates and shares future plans with streaming platform, Vudu. We're thankful for all our subscribers and Patreon supporters!

Episode 141 | Documentarian and the Day Job 17.11.2021

Today we’re joined by Mindy Cook, a documentarian cinematographer and “marketing specialist” for the Girl who Wore Freedom. First we dive into talking about the pitch to Netflix, an upcoming Q&A with members of the film. Then we talk about rejection, keep moving forward. Then Mindy walks us through how she joined The Girl Who Wore Freedom, documentary filmmaking, and working in the non-profit sect...

Episode 140 | Screenwriting with Zach Callaghan 11.11.2021

Today we’re joined by Zach Callaghan, writer on The Brave Dutch, who previously wrote for The Girl Who Wore Freedom. He goes through the process of screen-writing for film. Christian speaks on leading a team with fresh perspectives and allowing them to add their ingredients to a proverbial "stone soup."

Episode 139 | Minding the Gap with "Ted Lasso" 04.11.2021

Today we talk about Ted Lasso, Halloween costumes, and how to deal with the lulls in production. Christian talks through what she’s working on right now, the prep she’s doing for The Brave Dutch, and partnership proposals with various organizations.

Episode 138 | Post Production Sound with Jason Hoban 28.10.2021

Jason Hoban, sound designer for The Girl Who Wore Freedom and Documentary First Podcast, discusses the art and science behind making audio mixes for film, etc. He has wielded the microphone as a foley artist, and has extensive experience editing audio using Pro Tools. In addition, he shares how he got his start as an audio engineer.

Episode 137 | Screening at Massanutten Military Academy 21.10.2021

Today we talk about Research and Development, screening the film for cadets, Christian dealing with a heckler, the emotional journey it sent her on, and how it might change her future films. We talk a little about the future of the podcast, the way production and documentary work intertwine with everything in your life, and boots-on-the-ground research.   Today we talk about Research and Developme...

Episode 136 | The Brave Dutch Pre-Pro Odyssey & Reflection on Rest 14.10.2021

Christian’s back from her Odyssey, we get an update about her trip, the things she learned about. We get a look at how Christian has learned about giving people rest time, including herself. We talk about self-care, then dive into Christian’s great uncle’s journey with the 334th Infantry.

Episode 135 | Hope On the Walls and Lunch at the Oranjehotel Sounds Fun..At First 07.10.2021

Today we're joined by TGWWF and The Brave Dutch Co-Producer, Michelle Coupey, Christian's still in the Netherlands and has some updates about The Girl Who Wore Freedom! Then we dig into the Brave Dutch, Christian's amazing day, learned a bit about Buren, Netherlands ( https://www.visitingthedutchcountryside.com/gelderland/one-day-in-buren-netherlands/ ) and The Brave Dutch Podcast: https://www.lis...

Episode 134 | Applying Lessons Learned and The Brave Dutch! 01.10.2021

Josh is finally back, we talk through some updates about the Girl Who Wore Freedom on Delta Air Lines, Christian gives us an update about a future L'Oréal event, and Fort Bragg. We get an update about Grueling Glory, the short film, it's film festival run, and Christian explains the difference between feature/short film festival submissions. Christian gives us an overview of the Netherlands' role...

Episode 133 | Special Ops & Spin-Offs (Sort Of) 23.09.2021

We're joined by Flavie again! Christian is in the Netherlands on a pre-production trip. But first, she shares what parts of France she had the visited on the way, including memorials, museums, and the Pegasus Bridge. This recent trip to Europe involves meeting with her son on a mock special-ops mission called Falcon Leap. They attended the Operation Market Garden ceremonies in the Netherlands and...

Episode 132 | Cue The Music Cue Sheet! 16.09.2021

Jeff and Jason play switcheraoo! After a film update, Christian shares about plans to travel to the Netherlands for a scouting trip for "The Brave Dutch." Then, composer Jeff Kurtenacker explains how he had to name each musical piece in the movie, even if it were the shortest of études. All the details must be recorded on the timeline, including who were the authors and performers; In addition, a...

Episode 131 | Labor Day Lookback - Oh How Far We've Come! 09.09.2021

This week, the podcast team took a break during this past Labor Day so we are reposting a previous episode, but before that, Christian reflects on what was happening a year ago during the recording of "Episode 79: Hunter." A lot can happen in a year, since then, Hunter has completed Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) in June 2021 and is now in Pensacola, FL for flight school.

Episode 130 | Story Moves The Soul & Makes Marketing Meaningful 02.09.2021

Mindy got involved on the marketing team for The Girl Who Wore Freedom through listening to The Holy Post podcast. She ran a successful social media campaign with the marketing slogan, "Watch, Rate, Review". Her passion for stories and real-life accounts is what drove her to join the team!

Episode 129 | Interns! 26.08.2021

Christian's finally back home! We're joined by Sam King, the assistant editor of the film, and lead social media editor. Christian gives us a film update, Delta airlines update and some film festival updates! Then we dive into Sam's story, how he joined the project, what he learned and how the project helped mould his career. The things he learned as he became more and more creative learning how t...

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