Documentary First

This is an interview with Mark McClain the author of Joy and Success at Work: Building organizations that don't suck (the life out of people). This will be a tie into our recent business conversations... how do you build a business that will be a blessing to the employees and investors.

Today we’re joined by Emily Mixter, The Girl who Wore Freedom’s Graphic Designer. Emily fills us in on on how she joined the project, why she does volunteer graphic design, branding, and any place graphic design was needed. We talk through Emily’s process, picking color palettes, fonts, and how she makes decisions based on future designs, like for Social Media, Posters, Clothing, etc.

The Business of Documentaries Hunter's back to talk shop, but first Christian gives some sage advice about how life does not stop during the filming of a movie. Hunter shares what he’s learned from working on the film, and film festivals. We discuss distribution plans, ways to monetize your current project, and the significance of surrounding yourself with a supportive team. Check out the job postings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/normandy-project-llc/jobs/

Josh is out! Christian's on pain meds, and Jason is tired. But this week, we made it happen! Christian gives us some great news about some festivals, and then we do things a little differently, as Christian interviews Jason about his journey as a creative.

Christian’s back home, but Josh isn’t! Christian fills us in on some updates from the film festival this last week, and some of the pitfalls encountered. But, it comes with some great news! Then we’re joined by John Scanlon, who’s operating as the entertainment lawyer for The Girl Who Wore Freedom. We hear about his story, how he joined the project, and some of his own films. He advises when to bring legal counsel on board. If you’re looking to get in touch with John, reach out: [email protected]

Christian’s off in Utah! For the Red Rock Film Festival, and indeed, the rocks are red. Christian lets us know how the festival is going so far, the differences in the times of COVID, and some of the films that have been shown already. And, did the film get into a new festival? Yes it did! In Montana! In… January. Then we’re joined by a special guest to talk IP lawyer-ing. What is IP? What does an IP lawyer do and why does a filmmaker need one? Oh! And how much does it cost?

WGA Registration! Lawyers! Film Festivals! Utah! My, oh, my, what a podcast. What is the difference between an Entertainment Lawyer and an IP Lawyer? What new festivals are TGWWF being submitted to? Christian digs into the deal from Gravitas, red flags in the deal, and what she’s taking away from it.

LA Femme International Film Festival proves to be a learning experience. Christian learns how new tech can cause issues, why she needs a copyright for her film, and how different festival producers affect the feel of the program. Get 10% off all items at the Girl Who Wore Freedom Store using code: FESTIVAL

Christian gives a summary of all the exciting happenings during the Chagrin Doc Fest. Listen to hear about new awards, press, and distribution deals for "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" movie.

Christian’s in Chagrin Falls Ohio, for a little slice of Chagrin, Chagrin Documentary Film Festival that is. Christian fills us in on the history of the Chagrin Doc fest and then... some awards?! The Lady Filmmakers festival had some good news. We talk about film festival politics, festival boards, festival lobbying, etc.

With Boston behind them, Hunter and Christian return home for a brief pit stop before heading out to Chagrin Falls, OH for the Chagrin Documentary Festival. We hear a report from Boston, learn more about sales agents, get a distribution update and learn what to expect from a Drive-In Festival!

TGWWF is on the road! Look behind the scenes of the journey to our U.S. premiere at the Boston Film Festival. This year, audiences have shrunk, but Christian still gets to experience the live event with her son, Hunter. Jason and Josh finish up the podcast without Christian, discussing upcoming film festivals and reveal a new addition to the team.

Today, we’re getting a huge update about the film and the film festival run! But before we get to the exciting stuff, we have to talk about the business stuff. Hunter has been at the helm of supporting Christian with managing workflows. Christian talks deliverables, the different pieces you have to deliver to a festival or distributor. It involves getting file types, posters, and Blu-ray discs made; Some fun coincidences happen along the way! Then, Christian walks us through the screening timeline, which you can check out on the website here: https://thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/festivals/

David Paterson joins the discussion of moments leading up to the much anticipated Official Selection screenings! The USA Premiere of TGWWF is quickly approaching as the Boston Film Festival will host the USA Premiere in less than a week on September 24! The Lady Filmmakers Festival in Los Angeles screens the day after on September 25 with a panel including editor Bill Ebel, and special guests all the way from France, Flo and Dany. Christian Taylor plans to attend the World Premiere at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival in Ohio on October 10, 2020. Christian explains what it takes to obtain a quick turnaround on deliverables film festivals may ask for. David Paterson presents the big picture of this year's circumstances causing many to adopt a mentality similar to a herd of cattle.

After an update on film festivals, we’re joined by Hunter, the new Head of Business Operations for The Girl Who Wore Freedom. Hunter joined the Army in 2012, serving 4 years in active duty, then transferred to the national guard and recently received a bachelor's degree in business. How did COVID-19 mess up his timelines and plans, and how did he end up working on Christian’s film? Hint: Hunter is the reason why Christian visited Normandy at the D-Day celebrations. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

We begin with exciting film updates, acceptance speeches, & new team members! Then, we’re joined by Nicole Bernardi-Reis: a producer & director known for The Unborn (2009), The Shopping Detective (2007), & Princess Cyd (2017). Nicole emphasizes the importance of setting goals for yourself, the film, & distribution. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, we’re talking about the long-term relationship with a film/filmmaker. David Patterson is back to talk us through what that’s like, and answer some of our questions. But, before we get to all that, we get an update on the film, festival acceptances/rejections, and some unusual reviews! Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Our film was accepted into two film festivals & we have another first-time filmmaker to interview! Elise Jaffe is making a feature documentary about using tattoos to reclaim your body after trauma or illness. Elise takes us on her journey of pre-production & what she’s learned listening to this podcast. Learn more at her website: Big Teeth Productions. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Our own first-time filmmaker Christian Taylor and Lead Composer Jeff Kurtenacker won awards in film festivals! They fill us in on what it feels like to be selected, nominated, and finally win! Jeff tells us about the emotional journey, particularly when the country hosting the festival is 7 hours ahead of you. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Today we’re joined by Flo and Jenny all the way from France! We learn how Flo is uniquely gifted to ask Veterans questions because of his genuine care, interest, and respect for them... and his tips apply to any interview you need to do! We'll also hear about the COVID situation in France and Flo and Jenny's very unique love story. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Today we get some updates about Film Festivals, talk distribution again, and a very specific film festival acceptance. COVID-19 feels like a huge opportunity to scam filmmakers out of money, time, and dreams. Christian brings up the reputability of film festivals, and David educates us on not being a sucker. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Today we’re talking about distribution, what is it, how does it happen, and how should you approach a distribution deal. We talk about what to look out for, why ‘Hollywood math’ doesn’t mean what you think it means, and why distributors need to try to sell the FILMMAKER, not the other way around. Also, gameshows, dancing babies, robbing banks, and a little bit of everything. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

David Paterson is back with us again. We’re stuck in a weird gray area with film festivals, some canceling, some extending, some going online, so what do we do? When and why do you pull out of film festivals? How does the screener process work, why are some festivals making it impossible to pull your film? ALSO, the film won an award??? Apparently?? But it’s a little weird… let’s talk about it. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, we meet The Girl Who Wore Freedom's Publicist, Morgan Harris. Listen in as he shares the importance of focusing on messaging and building relationships with reporters. What are some elements of a successful campaign and how does it work? What's different in the new normal of COVID-19? Learn more about Morgan's company: https://www.acaciaconsultinggroup.com. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, we meet the New Content Creation Team for The Girl Who Wore Freedom: Kyler Redding & Sam King. Even though the film is "done" there's still a ton of content needed to promote it. Why did they volunteer & how are their videos making a difference for engaging the audience? Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this extra-long episode, we have a full house with guests Bill Ebel, Jeff Kurtenacker, and Jason Hoban to discuss the understated importance of great audio. How did they all work together to maintain audio clarity and natural-sounding foley sound effects (on a budget)? Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Director Christian Taylor is about to complete her first documentary... for the eighth time! Because, as it turns out, finalizing a film with so many moving parts is very difficult. Hear how it's all come together and what you should look out for. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

We're joined this week by some volunteers from The Girl Who Wore Freedom social media team: Rebekah Ueland, Bethany Villero, and David Needham. Listen in on how they first discovered the film, how they quickly became friends, and hear the results of their hard work! Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thegirlwhoworefreedom. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Jeff Kurtenacker (our Lead Composer) and Bill Ebel (our Lead Editor) each have their own featured interviews on this podcast that left many lingering questions. Last week, Jeff was asking the questions, but this week it is Bill's turn. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Bill Ebel (our Lead Editor) and Jeff Kurtenacker (our Lead Composer) each have their own featured interviews on this podcast. But after listening to each other's episodes they were left with many questions that had to be answered. Join us next week for part 2! Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

As film festivals transition to screening online, should we expect them to pick different kinds of films? In this episode, Christian Taylor and David Paterson share news of their first festival rejection and how they've been adjusting their strategy. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Meet David Paterson: pro stunt man, volunteer firefighter, park commissioner, playwright, stay-at-home dad, and last but not least, Executive Producer on The Girl Who Wore Freedom! David is a man with connections and his vast movie experience has been crucial to our success. Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, we speak with Jeff Kurtenacker, the Lead Composer of The Girl Who Wore Freedom. Jeff has over 15 of experience composing music for video games and other media, so what brought him to volunteer for our film? (And why did he try to quit?) Watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, we speak with Bill Ebel, the Lead Editor of The Girl Who Wore Freedom. Bill is an award-winning editor who played an invaluable role on our film. Listen in to hear how he helped our first-time filmmaker level up! Want to see the video version of this episode? Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, Director Christian Taylor shares an update on financial assistance, takes some important time to read and discuss fan mail, and answer some questions from the audience. Want to see the video version of this episode? Be sure to check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

A lot has changed in the past month. In this episode, hosts Jason Rugg, Josh Lindsey, and Christian Taylor chat (online via Zoom) about the current status of The Girl Who Wore Freedom and how film festivals and so much more have taken an unexpected twist now that we're all sheltering in place. Want to see the video version of this episode? Be sure to check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaLay3EM9WBy1kym8lpd-lw. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, Director Christian Taylor shares what it was like to visit Michelin for events to honor veterans and run a focus group event for her film: The Girl Who Wore Freedom. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In what ways are the final production of a documentary film like giving birth? In this episode, Director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom Christian Taylor shares the analogy and exciting opportunities with Michelin as we continue to move ever closer to being complete. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, Director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom Christian Taylor shares with her cohosts exactly how she was invited to submit to a staggering number of film festivals (many with fee waivers)! How important is the world premiere and which festival should have that honor? Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In the last episode, we met Flavie and Thomas: two French cast members from The Girl Who Wore Freedom who are tour guides and reenactors. Listen in as they discuss the significant role reenactments play when passing history from generation to generation and how they're able to use this experience to both relate to and thank the veterans who liberated them. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, our hosts are joined by Flavie and Thomas: two cast members from The Girl Who Wore Freedom. These two are from Normandy, France but how they wound up staying with Christian was quite the adventure! As a result of their stay, they've played an essential role in documenting the rights and clearances for the film. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, co-hosts Jason Rugg, Joshua Lindsay, and Christian Taylor are joined by guest Yesenia Thomas to discuss exciting plans for an animatic and where things are at with the latest cut of the film. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, Director Christian Taylor shares what it was like to visit the Sundance Film Festival and bump into celebrities (sometimes literally)! Her documentary film, The Girl Who Wore Freedom, is almost ready to be submitted to festivals and this turned into the perfect opportunity to learn new things about the industry and the film festival process in general. Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In this episode, Director Christian Taylor shares what it was like to take a plunge and attend the Sundance Film Festival. Listen in and hear her stories about things that she was surprised by and what she figured out not to do next year! Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

This episode originally aired on March 6th, 2019. It's been a very exciting couple of weeks and we thought it'd be good to revisit our origin story.--Today we talk origin stories. We’re looking at how Director Christian Taylor got her start in filmmaking, the necessity of building a good team and how being a Mom helped her as a producer! Christian, Josh, and Jason discuss voiceover, working with a virtual team and the importance in belief.Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

In a previous episode, hosts Christian, Josh, and Jason discuss the important lesson of killing sacred cows (or killing your babies) in order to set aside personal emotions and improve the film. In this episode, Christian shares how this helped her find peace in pairing down even more of the film to create an even more whole representation of the story.Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

As we near the final stages of the film, Director Christian Taylor continues to get critical feedback and has to make difficult decisions. This time, more sacred cows are cut out and voiceover work is scrapped and rewritten to accommodate an accelerated pace.Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

What should you do when you get critical feedback? In previous episodes, we talked about the practice of killing your babies and working with experienced consultants to make the film better. This episode is all about hearing difficult feedback and deciding to take action or "live with the flaw."Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

It's critically important to get professional help or consulting throughout the entire process of producing a film. How else would a first time filmmaker know what to look out for when trial and error are so costly in both time and money? Is first time filmmaker Christian Taylor ready to take The Girl Who Wore Freedom to the next level or is that still a long way off?Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!

Thanks to the many focus groups in 2019 Christian Taylor has accumulated a long list of things to fix and improve in The Girl Who Wore Freedom. The goal is to be "picture locked" by February 6th so that we can submit to film festivals and move on to the next stage of the project.Want to help us make the film? We're looking for volunteers and need donations. Please visit http://normandystories.com/donate and help us tell the veteran's stories!