Not all documentary filmmakers planned to be in the documentary space. Some didn’t even know they would be in the film industry to begin with. This is what we talked about in our round table discussion at Sundance, with a group of documentary film directors. Each of these award-winning directors have decades of experience in filmmaking. 

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, speaks with documentary directors Alex Stapleton, Jeff Zimbalist, Michael John Warren, and Tony Gerber to discuss:

• Their current projects


• What it’s like to finally turn the camera on yourself as a director


• How to find yourself and who you really want to be


• Their unique paths to becoming documentary filmmakers


• Earning more money and having more creative autonomy 


• Holding onto your projects even if it doesn’t sell right away 


• Why you should avoid industry chatter


• Finding the overlap between your hobby and filmmaking


• Figuring out where to start - production or post


• A good story is more important than high-tech tools

Memorable Quotes

• “Documentaries were a way to insert myself into the heart of certain communities around the world.” [17:30 ]


• “I did not go to film school. I didn’t even finish college.” [19:18 ]


• “It’s okay to not know where you’re going. Sometimes following your gut and not having a master plan is fruitful, and builds wisdom.” [25:44 ]


• “My mother always told me, don’t work in the film business. It’s full of criminals.” [26:08 ]


• “I don’t think about what the audience wants. I think about what the audience doesn’t yet know that they need.” [47:47 ]


• The only thing that matters is story and learning how to tell a good story. The tools are just tools.” [51:16 ]


• “Think about the story. Pick a side of the industry you want to be in. And be so good they can’t say no.” [51:39 ]

Mentioned:

Alex Stapleton  

God Save Texas - The Price of Oil Episode

Jeff Zimbalist

Skywalkers: A Love Story

Michael John Warren  

Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza

Tony Gerber  

War Game

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