Making Media Now
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On this episode, host Michael Azevedo chats with Noam Osband & Sebastián Díaz, the co-directors and co-producers of a documentary called "A Thousand Pines." https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/a-thousand-pines/ Wood and wood products are the biggest natural resources used and produced in America. Every year, hundreds of crews travel the country to plant pine trees. A considerable amount of those crews are made up of Latino workers, here on temporary visas. "A Thousand Pines" documents the stories of one of these Latino crews. The film, which will be broadcast on the PBS series Independent Lens https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/on April 1, documents the lives of migrants who depend on the controversial guest worker visa program. The film follows a crew of workers from Mexico over the course of a season planting trees throughout the United States. The crew struggles to balance the job’s physical demands and its extreme isolation while remaining connected to their families back home. As the season progresses, they become a small family, cooking and caring for each other in order to endure the punishing work. The film centers on the crew foreman, Raymundo Morales, who is in his 19th season working for the largest reforestation company in the US. When he began, he was single and had few responsibilities. Now, however, he must balance his obligations to his wife, his children, and his elderly mother with a heart condition, while also tending to the needs and emergencies of the planting crew. Spending only three months at home during the off-season, Raymundo’s job is both the family’s salvation and its heartbreak. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode are Amanda Pollak and Gene Tempest, the team behind another new American Experience documentary. This one premieres on PBS on March 26 and is called "The Cancer Detectives." https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/cancer-detectives/ "The Cancer Detectives" tells the story of how one of the most impactful, lifesaving tests for women was created and popularized by a Greek immigrant and his wife, a famous Japanese-American illustrator who was detained in a WW2 internment camp, and a groundbreaking Black female surgeon. This dramatic story of the fight against cervical cancer revolves around three main characters who worked relentlessly and overcame numerous setbacks in order to save the lives of thousands of women. The work of these three Life Savers slashed death rates of this previously unfightable cancer by more than 60 percent. Co-Director Amanda Pollak has been making highly acclaimed documentaries for public television for more than two decades. As a partner at Insignia Films, she began her tenure by producing the series Reporting America At War, and then moved on to create several American Experience films including The Sun Queen, Citizen Hearst, Las Vegas, Custer’s Last Stand, and The Great War among others. She recently produced Into the Grand Canyon, an environmental adventure story that premiered on National Geographic and is now streaming worldwide on Disney+. Co-Director Gene Tempest is an award-winning American filmmaker and historian. Her writing has appeared in The Boston Globe and The New York Times, and her screenwriting has been recognized by the Writers Guild of America. She has taught at SUNY Cortland and Boston University, and from 2016-2017 served as the first ever Historian in Residence for American Experience at GBH-Boston where she helped fund and develop new history programming for public television. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode of Making Media Now, host Michael Azevedo speaks with documentary filmmaker Peter Yost, whose film, "Nazi Town, USA" https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/nazi-town-usa/ uncovers the unsettling story of Nazi sympathizers on American soil. The discussion navigates through America's history in the '20s and '30s - the polarized political climate, the dominant ideologies, and prominent American figures like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh, whose influence kindled such anti-Semitic movements. Around this era, the terrifyingly real German-American Bund fearlessly demonstrated a blend of American ideals with swastikas, exemplifying a racially divided America. A dive into the profoundly extraordinary acts of the Bund includes running Nazi camps and parades in front of Jewish homes, casting a shadow over the interpretation of patriotism. This gripping exploration of an almost forgotten part of American history unveils its lasting influences and the issues our society continues to grapple with today. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode host Michael Azevedo navigates an insightful conversation on the creation of the Oscar-nominated documentary, "20 Days in Mariupol." The engrossing film, a co-production of PBS' Frontline and the Associated Press, unflinchingly captures the initial 20 days of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, seen through the eyes of Ukrainian filmmaker and AP video journalist, Mstyslav Chernov, who directed the film. This episode features Raney Aronson-Rath, Frontline https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/20-days-in-mariupol/'s executive producer, and Michelle Mizner, the film's editor and co-producer. They share the excruciating details behind the making of the film, which has been widely acclaimed for its courage and authenticity in showcasing the harsh realities of war. The film, later awarded the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for reporting, is currently available for streaming online across various platforms including the PBS app, Frontline's YouTube channel, and Amazon Prime. Michelle Mizner's insights into her journey of transforming raw footage into a compelling narrative offer interesting takeaways. The conversation provides a glimpse into the process of creating a powerful documentary amidst chaos, highlighting ethical considerations, creative dilemmas, and an emotional toll that comes with dealing with heart-wrenching war footage. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Mónica Guzmán is Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, a nonprofit working to depolarize America; host of A Braver Way https://braverangels.org/abraverway/, a podcast that equips people with the tools they need to bridge the political divide in their everyday lives; founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, an organization working to build a more curious world; and author of "I Never Thought Of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times." https://www.amazon.com/Never-Thought-That-Way-Conversations/dp/1637740328 Monica is the inaugural McGurn Fellow at the University of Florida, working with researchers at the UF College of Journalism and Communications and beyond to better understand ways to employ techniques described in her book to boost understanding. She was a 2019 fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, where she studied social and political division, and a 2016 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, where she studied how journalists can better meet the needs of a participatory public. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, the Glenn Beck Podcast, Reader's Digest, BookTV, and EconTalk, and she is an advisor for Starts With Us https://www.startswith.us/ and the Generations Over Dinner https://www.generationsoverdinner.com/ project. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode, host Michael Azevedo chats with Dr. Jennifer Mercieca, an award-winning historian of American political rhetoric. She is Professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism at Texas A&M University. Jennifer writes about American political discourse, especially as it relates to citizenship, democracy, and the presidency. Jennifer has published three books about political rhetoric: Founding Fictions https://www.amazon.com/Founding-Fictions-Albma-Rhetoric-Cult/dp/0817357343, The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency, and Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump https://www.jennifermercieca.com/demagogueforpresident. She has written about rhetoric and politics for The Conversation https://theconversation.com/profiles/jennifer-mercieca-211696/articles, USA Today, the Washington Post, and many other major media outlets. She has been interviewed about rhetoric and politics by the BBC World News, NPR's All Things Considered, NPR's 1A, Diane Rehm, The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, Vice News, Australia's ABC Radio, Slate, USA Today, and many other outlets throughout the United States and worldwide. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode are Sean Claffey and Dave Peterson, the director and co-writer of a documentary called "Americonned". https://www.americonned.com The film examines how the past few generations of workers in the US have experienced income inequality and how once-powerful unions have been crushed by big business and its government influence. Wages aren’t keeping up, yet productivity has skyrocketed, largely on the backs of the American middle class. The rich are getting richer, the middle class is seeing the bottom drop out. Why? "Americonned" explores what seismic shifts in wealth mean for the future of members of the middle class as consumers and citizens. The documentary is available to stream on Amazon Prime and on YouTube. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is MovieMaker magazine editor-in-chief Tim Molloy. MovieMaker is a magazine, website and podcast network focused on the art and business of filmmaking, with a special emphasis on independent film. The publication, in all its forms, offers profiles, advice, insider tips, and product reviews that readers can use to make informed decisions about what they watch..and create! The magazine has featured pretty much every prominent moviemaker you can think of on its cover. Its print edition is published quarterly, while its digital home, MovieMaker.com http://moviemaker.com/ is continually updating its features and late-breaking content. Tim and Michael discussed this year’s Oscar nominations, revisited the Barbie and Oppenheimer phenomenons, pondered what constitutes cinematic television and Tim laid out how MovieMaker magazine distinguishes itself among other publications covering the entertainment industry. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Documentary filmmaker and engineer Arthur Musah joins host Michael Azevedo on this episode. Arthur is director of "Brief Tender Light," https://www.onedayitoogofly.com/films/brief-tender-light/which will be broadcast as part of the POV series on PBS on January 15. https://www.pbs.org/pov/films/brieftenderlight/ Check your local listings for times. "Brief Tender Light" follows the lives of five African-born MIT students, including the director himself, who were driven to study in the U.S. and create change at home. Even as their dreams are anchored in the societies they left, their daily realities are defined by America. Each must refine their ideas about the world and about themselves, and ultimately, how to transform youthful ideals into action as adults. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
For the first episode of 2024, host Michael Azevedo is joined by filmmaker Michael Maglaras to talk about his latest film “Ralph Waldo Emerson: Give All to Love,” https://two17films.com/free-streaming/ralph-waldo-emerson-give-all-to-love/ An impassioned and endearing documentary about one of America’s greatest thinkers. 2023 marked the 220th anniversary of Emerson’s birth, and Margalas' film will introduce him to an entirely new audience.” Trained as an opera singer in the United States and Europe, Michael Margalas has performed widely as a singer and opera director. He also has founded a well-respected international business-consulting firm headquartered in Stamford, Conn., one of several businesses he has formed. He has directed and acted in two films, produced three albums of rock and alternative jazz, lectured in art museums across the country. In 2003, he and his wife, Terri Templeton, formed 217 Films https://two17films.com with the mission to celebrate the unique character of our nation’s cultural heritage. Their “essays in film” explore the impact of American art and cultural life and its unique place on the world stage. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Host Michael Azevedo is joined on this episode by video producer and content strategist Fei Wu. Fei is the very embodiment of a modern media maker! She was a podcasting pioneer, launching her Feisworld https://www.youtube.com/@FeisworldMediapodcast in 2014, which has gone on the have well over 200k downloads. Shortly thereafter she established herself on YouTube with a monetized channel that has nearly 25k subscribers and more than 100k views per month. In 2019, she produced and hosted a 10 episode documentary series, available on Prime video, called Feisworld https://www.amazon.com/Feisworld/dp/B07ZYBH533: an intimate look into the lives of a diverse group of business leaders and creative professionals. Having come to America from China as a teenager, Fei has carved out a life as a successful entrepreneur and mentor. Most recently, Fay has been putting to use her skills and experiences to help inform and guide other media creators in the area of AI integration. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Host Michael Azevedo is joined by director Denny Tedesco to talk about his enthralling music documentary "Immediate Family," https://immediatefamilyfilm.com which is a follow-up to his acclaimed 2008 documentary “The Wrecking Crew https://variety.com/t/the-wrecking-crew/.” That earlier film followed the first wave of studio musicians in the 1960s, including Denny’s father, guitar virtuoso Tommy Tedesco. “Immediate Family” takes up the story where “The Wrecking Crew” ended, taking a deep dive through some of the most famous and influential session musicians from the 1970s. To that end, the new documentary includes commentary from the likes of Carole King, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovett, Keith Richards, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, and Phil Collins. In addition to talking to those music legends, “Immediate Family” tracks the rise and collaborations of session musicians Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and Waddy Wachtel as they help craft some of the decade’s most enduring hits. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Oscar-nominated director Elaine McMillion Sheldon. Elaine joins Michael to discuss her very personal--and mesmerizing--documentary "King Coal." https://www.kingcoalfilm.com A lyrical tapestry of a place and people, "King Coal" meditates on the complex history and future of the coal industry, the communities it has shaped, and the myths it has created. Director Elaine McMillion Sheldon reshapes the boundaries of documentary filmmaking in a spectacularly beautiful and deeply moving immersion into Central Appalachia where coal is not just a resource, but a way of life. Elaine McMillion Sheldon (Director / Producer / Co-Editor) is an Academy Award-nominated, and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker. Sheldon is the director of two Netflix Original Documentaries - HEROIN(E) and RECOVERY BOYS- that explore America's opioid crisis. She has been named a Creative Capital Awardee, Guggenheim Fellow, a USA Fellow by United States Artists, and one of the "25 New Faces of Independent Film,” by Filmmaker Magazine. KING COAL, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and is currently enjoying a successful theatrical run. The film will be available for VOD and streaming in early 2024. Elaine McMillion Sheldon was raised in West Virginia and lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Filmmaker and social activist Owen Dubeck joins host Michael Azevedo to discuss an organization called Farmlink https://www.farmlinkproject.org/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5490136129&hsa_cam=19602230123&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmNeqBhD4ARIsADsYfTeb0IdCq4DRUECBT_cj5Hh_RxARgu0ZX13MNLo3vzxNB6wcwlOEhUkaArtZEALw_wcB and his documentary about Farmlink’s origins and mission. During the largest food crisis in a century, a group of college students stepped up to help those facing hunger. Their small local effort, called Farmlink, inspired hope nationally and motivated 600+ students to drop everything to help feed millions of families. Within months, the project scaled larger than anyone could have imagined and the students found themselves on the front lines of fighting hunger and ending food waste on a national level. In addition to being a founding member of Farmlink, Owen Dubeck is also a documentary film director, specializing in telling stories that catalyze lasting social change. His films follow character-driven storylines and often amplify the messages of young people leading disruptive movements. His short documentary about Farmlink is called "Abundance." You can now view Abundance https://www.farmlinkproject.org/abundance on the Farmlink website at Farmlinkproject.org http://farmlinkproject.org/ and on YouTube. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Host Michael Azevedo is joined by director Beth Murphy to discuss the documentary film and podcast "Our Turn to Talk," https://www.ourturntotalk.com which will kick off the 11th annual Boston International Kids Film Festival https://bikff.org on November 10. The "Our Turn to Talk" multi-media initiative focuses on teenagers who say they’re the generation to put an end to mental health stigma. To do it, they’re telling their own stories – raw and unfiltered. From skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression to the impacts of racial and intergenerational trauma, these teens share their struggles and triumphs and carry a powerful message: Storytelling saves lives. A little later in the episode, Michael chats with Laura Azevedo https://filmmakerscollab.org/about/, the director of the BIKFF--and his sister--about what attendees can expect to see and experience at this year’s festival. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode, host Michael Azevedo welcomes back filmmaker Paula Apsell to discuss her new documentary, "Resistance: They Fought Back". https://brattlefilm.org/movies/resistance-they-fought-back/#:~:text=Resistance%20%E2%80%94%20They%20Fought%20Back%20tells,partisans%20in%20forests%20of%20Europe. Paula’s film is a vivid refutation of the inaccurate idea that during the Holocaust, the Jews of Europe meekly submitted to Nazi atrocities, like so-called lambs to the slaughter. Told by survivors, their children, and scholars from the U.S. Israel, and Europe, the film reveals how the Jews fought back, uncovering evidence of non-violent methods which served as crucial tools of resistance and evolved into Jewish armed revolts in ghettos, forests and death camps. Today, almost eighty years after the Holocaust, this story remains largely unknown to the general public. Without it, Paula believes, our understanding of this genocide, which wiped out two-thirds of European Jewry, remains incomplete, giving rise to renewed antisemitism, hatred, and denial of the Holocaust itself. Paula Apsell spent 35 years as the Senior Executive Producer of the PBS NOVA science series responsible for more than 650 documentaries about the sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine and which won every major broadcasting award including the Emmy; the Peabody; and an Academy Award nomination for Special Effects. She has been recognized with numerous individual awards including the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Emmy of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Currently she is CEO of Leading Edge Productions. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is documentary filmmaker Sonia Kennebeck to discuss her latest film, "Reality Winner" https://www.codebreakerfilms.com/films, a documentary that presents the incredible true story of Reality Winner in her own words. Filmed over five years, this is the only documentary about the young NSA whistleblower who exposed Russian interference in U.S. elections - and went to jail for it. With exclusive access to Reality Winner and the media outlet involved in her arrest, this film also reveals FBI evidence never before released. Pointedly, the film poses the question: Would you risk your freedom to protect democracy? Sonia Kennebeck https://www.codebreakerfilms.com/about is an independent documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist with more than 15 years of directing and producing experience. She has directed eight television documentaries and more than 50 investigative reports. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode we continue our short series of conversations with documentary filmmakers whose films will be featured at the New Hampshire Film Festival https://nhfilmfestival.com, which takes places in Portsmouth NH from 10/12-15. Both of films discussed on this episode explore life for women in worlds usually dominated by men. First up is my chat with Olivia Kuan, the director of a documentary called "The Herricanes," http://brickhousefilm.com which tells the story of the Houston Herricanes, one of the teams that, in the 1970s, made up the first-ever women's full tackle football league known as the National Women's Football League. And it just so happens that Olivia’s mother played safety on the Herricanes for four seasons! Later in the episode, I speak with director Maggie Contreras, whose documentary, "Maestra," http://maggiecontreras.comfollows five internationally-based women as they prepare for and perform in La Maestra, the only competition in the world for female orchestra conductors. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
With this episode we begin a short series of conversations with documentary filmmakers whose work will be featured at the upcoming New Hampshire Film Festival, which will take place in Portsmouth, NH from October 12-15. For more info about the festival, including its line-up of films, visit NHfilmfestival.com http://nhfilmfestival.com/. First up, host Michael Azevedo chats with Pete Davis, the co-director of a documentary called "Join or Die" https://putnamdoc.com/ which depicts the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking "Bowling Alone" research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis. Pete Davis, who along with Rebecca Davis, co-directed the film, is also a writer and civic advocate. And, he just so happens to be a former student of Robert Putnam’s. He is the author of “Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in An Age of Infinite Browsing.” And he's the co-founder of the Democracy Policy Network, a organization focused on raising up ideas that deepen democracy. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode host Michael Azevedo is joined by Jonathan Decker and Alan Seawright, the creators of a hugely successful and highly entertaining and insightful YouTube series called Cinema Therapy https://www.youtube.com/@CinemaTherapyShow. Founded in 2020 by its hosts: Jonathan, a marriage and family therapist, and Alan, a filmmaker, the channel has built a following in part by holding faux therapy sessions for heroes, villains and onscreen couples, treating movie plots and characters as case studies for mental health topics. Some typical titles: "7 Movie Marriages That Are Actually Healthy," “Psychology of a Hero: ‘Hulk’ and Anger Management,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXmcjA-yFEM and “Movie Couple Therapy: ‘Shrek.’” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyrgaVs3gzU The hosts and their team shoot the videos in the basement of Seawright’s Utah home. By YouTube’s count, many episodes have been viewed more than a million times each. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Dominic López, the director and co-writer of the independent feature film "Little Jar. https://www.littlejarmovie.com" The movie was filmed in the height of the Covid pandemic with a five-person crew at a single location in just two weeks on a budget of what Dominic refers to as "hail-mary favors and pennies from locked-down pockets.” "Little Jar" debuted at the Austin Film Festival in 2022 and won over audiences and critics alike. The film has since gone on to have a successful festival run--including winning big at the Paris Film Festival--before finding its home at Good Deed Entertainment to be released for VOD streaming on September 12th. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode, host Michael Azevedo is joined by two guests to discuss a new film called "Canary, https://canary.oscilloscope.net" a documentary about a climate scientist who has been referred to as “the closest living thing to Indiana Jones.” Danny O’Malley, a producer on the Netflix series “Chef’s Table,” directed the film along with MIT-trained Neuroscientist Alex Rivest, PhD. It’s set to open in limited release on Sept. 15 followed by a one-night-only special nationwide screening on Sept. 20. The subject of the film is Dr. Lonnie Thompson, an explorer “who went where no scientist had gone before and transformed our idea of what is possible.” Daring to seek Earth’s history contained in glaciers atop the tallest mountains in the world, Lonnie found himself on the frontlines of climate change—his life’s work evolving into a salvage mission to recover these priceless historical records before they disappear forever. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Brian Raftery https://www.brianraftery.com, the writer and host of a fascinating narrative podcast on the Ringer podcast network called ‘Do We Get to Win This Time?’ https://newsroom.spotify.com/2023-08-08/journalist-brian-raftery-dissects-vietnam-war-films-and-americas-love-for-them-in-his-podcast-from-the-ringer-do-we-get-to-win-this-time/ an 8 episode podcast series that examines how Vietnam movies have shaped the way we think about the Vietnam War. ‘The Deer Hunter.’ ‘Apocalypse Now.’ ‘First Blood.’ ‘Platoon.’ They’re among the hit films dealing with the Vietnam War—a conflict that divided moviegoers and inspired filmmakers. For decades, Hollywood released countless films about the war and its fallout—from action flicks to combat tales to sweeping dramas. Through exclusive new interviews, ‘Do We Get to Win This Time?’ chronicles the making of Hollywood’s most ambitious and controversial Vietnam movies. Along the way, we also learn how these films reflected and shaped moviegoers’ feelings toward the war—and toward each other. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode of Making Media Now is feature-film director & producer Chaysen Beacham to talk about his film "Polara." "Polara" tells the story of TJ, who on this 18th birthday, receives a key from a father he’d last seen as he was hauled off to prison 8 years previously. With the key is the address for a proposed meeting - 3000 miles away and in two weeks. The key unlocks a timeworn 1968 Polaaara convertible, with a coffin welded to its floor. With each decision that follows, TJ plunges deeper into the mysterious and beautiful landscapes we all navigate – on our own, with our tribe, through the shifting turns of the road ahead. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is writer, producer and director Christine Yoo. Christine joins Michael to talk about her documentary "26.2 to Life," https://www.sanquentinmarathon.com which brings viewers to San Quentin State Prison to watch prisoners train for a marathon that’s run inside the prison walls. The film has been enthusiastically received at numerous film festivals across the country, winning the Audience Award at the Santa Barbara Int'l Film Festival and the Seattle Int'l Film Festival. It will be featured at the Woods Hole Film Festival https://woodsholefilmfestival.org, held in Falmouth, MA, from July 29 to August 13. Additionally, the film will be opening in theaters in LA NY SF and Seattle on 9/22, followed by a 48-hour nationwide virtual premiere at Sept 29-Oct 1. Ticket information here. https://linktr.ee/sanquentinmarathon In addition to directing "26.2 to Life," Christine is the Co-Executive Producer of "The Winning Spirit," from Executive Producer Michael Strahan and The Story Lab, a 6-part docu-series that follows the Ka-Who-Ku High School football team on the North Shore of Oahu through their 2021 championship season. She has produced non-fiction series on National Geographic, The History Channel, and Oxygen. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode host Michael Azevedo welcomes back Boston Globe https://www.bostonglobe.com film critic Odie Henderson to talk about labor unrest among Hollywood writers and actors. Both the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA (the actors union) are officially on strike. The writers began walking the picket line in early May and the 160,000 SAG-AFTRA members voted to go on strike on July 13. Both guilds are very concerned about how they’re being compensated for streaming content and about how the use of Artificial Intelligence in movie making will impact their livelihoods. Odie also shares with us his fave movies so far of 2023 and we chat about two big releases that open this week: Barbie and Oppenheimer. Or, as Odie refers to them BarbieHeimer! Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode by Anne Zeiser. Anne is a critically acclaimed social impact producer and media strategist. Her background as a broadcast journalist, marketing executive, and social advocate uniquely positions her as the architect of successful media-driven productions and social impact campaigns. She has stewarded iconic documentary, drama, lifestyle and children’s series and specials for PBS. She’s also produced news for CBS, managed consumer brands for national marketing firms, and has served in government and on political campaigns. Integrating all of these perspectives, Anne founded Azure Media, which develops high profile projects for broadcast and digital platforms that fuel social impact in communities, schools, and capitols. Most recently, Anne served as EP for "Muraling Austin," https://muralingaustin.com a 3-part documentary series that explores the art and artists behind the vibrant public murals found in Austin TX. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Joining Michael Azevedo on this episode is writer and journalist Tom Roston https://tomroston.com, whose latest article https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/documentary-film-industry-trauma-ptsd-crisis-1234872732/ for IndieWire examines the unspoken traumas of the filmmaking community. In the article, Tom provides a comprehensive look at how documentary filmmakers are speaking out about the toll the filmmaking process—especially when covering particularly traumatic subjects-can take on their mental. Tom Roston has been writing about film, culture, and ideas for more than 2 decades. In addition to IndieWire, his byline has appeared in The Nation, Vanity Fair, Salon, Fast Company, and the NYT. Tom is also the author of several non-fiction books including his most recent, 2021’s The Writer’s Crusade: Kurt Vonnegut & The Many Lives of Slaughterhouse Five. https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Crusade-Vonnegut-Lives-Slaughterhouse-Five/dp/1419744895/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
On this episode we explore the world of ghostwriting! If you were to scan the top 50 or so best-sellers on the non-fiction list, you’d likely find that memoirs & autobiographies make up a fair portion of that list. And here’s one of publishings inside secrets—many, if not most, of those books were actually written by someone whose name appears no where on the cover. Welcome to the life of a ghostwriter! Joining Michael Azevedo on this episode of Making Media Now is Sherry Granader https://www.sherrywritesforyou.com, a successful and sought-after ghostwriter with more than twenty years experience in ghostwriting and publishing. Sherry has ghostwritten and edited over 150 books including 5 that made Amazons best seller list. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com http://www.mrazvo.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead https://www.nhtalkradio.com/?page_id=15114
Michael Azevedo's guests on this episode—Eamon Little, Joan Pratt, and Christopher Lydon—are part of the team behind a documentary-in-progress call "Born That Way," https://filmmakerscollab.org/films/born-that-way/ for which Filmmakers Collaborative is the fiscal sponsor. "Born That Way" documents the final year in the life of Patrick Lydon, in which he looks back on a fascinating life, lays the ground for posthumous, ‘green-shoot’ projects and prepares for death. Director Eamon Little promises that the film will be an unflinching journey to the end of an exemplary life, probing ‘otherness’ in our society and asking searching questions about the future we want to create. Joining Eamon to talk about the life and work of Patrick Lydon are, Joan Pratt, his friend from his days at Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Patrick’s brother, Christopher Lydon, who covered politics for The New York Times from its Washington bureau in the 1970s, hosted The Ten O’Clock News on WGBH TV in Boston through the 1980s, and co-founded and hosted The Connection on WBUR in the ’90s, and is currently the host of Open Source, https://radioopensource.org the world’s longest running podcast, having been established in 2003. For more information about the "Born That Way" film project, please check out its page in the projects section of the Filmmakers Collaborative website at www.filmmakerscoll.org http://www.filmmakerscoll.org/. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, https://filmmakerscollab.org/ a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.
