Westdoc Online

Ever wonder how nature film crews get up close and personal with wild animals in the most remote locations in the world? It is not by accident. It usually takes months of research and years of filming. This four part series currently streaming on Netflix is extraordinary in many ways with never before seen original footage. Our conversation with producers Huw Cordey and Keith Scholey is open, hone...

Her grandfather is the co-creator of Mickey Mouse and has an Oscar. Her father is a legend at Disney and has an Oscar. She graduated from USC Film School and has an Oscar nomination. She's a writer, producer, director and is the chosen one to make 100 YEARS of WARNER BROS. The four part series currently on the new Max streamer, is nothing less than spectacular. If you like films, you will love thi...

The iconic 1969 Academy Award winner Midnight Cowboy set the tone for films to come, revealed the seedy side of New York, and closed the book on a decade of flower power. Feature doc DESPARATE SOULS, DARK CITY and the LEGEND of MIDNIGHT COWBOY digs deep into not only  “the making of,” but “the moment of “ as well. Director Nancy Buirski talks with Westdoc about her background as a photographer and...

Mary Tyler Moore was a revolutionary throughout her nearly sixty year career. She redefined the roles in show business, transforming how women were defined in media. Director James Adolphus reveals to Westdoc Online how newly released documentary "Being Mary Tyler Moore" managed to capture her essence. Are there limits on who can tell what stories? How did their team navigate vast archival footage...

Founder of The D-Word, an online community for thousands of documentary professionals around the world, Doug Block spoke with host, Chuck Braverman, at length about vlogging, his side business of wedding videography, the documentary community, and the complexities of marriage. Two of his excellent docs, “51 Birch Street” and “112 Weddings,” are available on Kanopy, iTunes, and Amazon Prime.   To l...

How difficult is it to know the family you are a part of? Nira Burstein spent five years creating an intimate portrait of her unique family in Charm Circle, her debut cinema vérité feature documentary.  “My parents gave me so much magic, it was my job not to screw it up.” Discover how this film came to life, hear about Burstein's journey into film, mental health, and her upcoming projects. There’s...

"Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie" will take you straight back to the 80s as it tells the touching story of actor Michael J. Fox and his confrontation with Parkinson's disease. Hear from the director, Davis Guggenheim, who gives us insight into the making of this documentary, interview hacks, and an even deeper look into the life of Michael J. Fox. To learn more, visit Westdoc Online at... Our websit...

"The Visitors" covers Veronika Lišková's journey to the most northern city in the world, Svalbard. The young anthropologist and her family not only face the harsh living conditions of the North, but confront the quickly melting icebergs and permafrost with the community she initially planned to observe.  How does one go about filming a documentary like this? What was the editing process like? And...

Hear from the director of "38 at the Garden," Frank Chi.  "38 at the Garden" unpacks the monumental cultural impact Jeremy Lin evoked as a Taiwanese-American basketball player for the New York Knicks.  Learn how Frank Chi was inspired to make this film on this episode of Westdoc Online, hosted by Chuck Braverman.  To learn more, visit Westdoc Online at... Our website: https://www.westdoconline.com...

"Full Swing," a docuseries now on Netflix, is not just about golf, but the dramas of life. You don't need to understand golf to fully immerse yourself in the tension as these golfers undergo a season of high-stake competitions during the PGA Tour. In this episode of Westdoc Online, producer Paul Martin involves us in the process of filming, editing, and producing this enticing series. You can watc...

"Navalny" recently won an Oscar for Best Documentary (Feature). Hear from director, Daniel Roher. The film covers the 2020 assassination attempt on Alex Navalny, a Russian opposition leader. Given the tense political climate, Roher had to carry out his filmmaking in secrecy, relying on encryption. Learn more about how Roher navigated this risky film with host, Chuck Braverman, on this episode of W...

Can an artist be separated from their art? Hear from director Brett Morgen and get the behind the scenes of award-winning documentary Moonage Daydream. In this episode, host Chuck Braverman uncovers Morgen's history as a filmmaker and his journey to making his most recent film on David Bowie. 

Hear from the director of Oscar nominated short doc "Stranger at the Gate," Joshua Seftel. "It's a film about grace, passion, forgiveness and hope," says Seftel. "Stranger at the Gate" follows the story of a U.S. Marine and his planned attack on a small-town American mosque. The story takes an unexpected turn when the two groups meet face to face. How did Seftel come across this film? What did the...