Westdoc Online

KAREN O’CONNOR, MIRI NAVASKY, MAEVE O’BOYLE – Joan Baez - I am Noise

 "When we got the keys to the storage unit, everything changed and the film was cracked open in a new way" said Karen O'Connor. This documentary is an unusually intimate psychological portrait of folk singer and activist Joan Baez. It's not a traditional bio pic or concert film as it shifts back and forth in time. And with three directors on different continents, it took a while for all the pieces to fall into place. Newly discovered home movies, audio tapes, diaries, and artwork added to the 60 years of Baez memories and music.
Our conversation with the directors covers the details of producing a complex story, raising money, clearing music, and a searingly honest look at the living legend, her heartbreaking romance with Bob Dylan, lifelong emotional struggles, being on the road, and performing in front of thousands.  In other words, sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll.

DENNY TEDESCO – Immediate Family

 Director Denny Tedesco's father was one of the musicians in The Wrecking crew and he grew up surrounded by some of the superstars featured in the film. Following in the footsteps of 1960’s session icons in The Wrecking Crew, musicians Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, and Waddy Wachtel backed iconic singer-songwriters of the 70s, 80s, and beyond, creating some of the most recognizable tunes in rock music.
Included is music and commentary from superstars like Carole King, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Keith Richards, Don Henley, David Crosby, Jackson Browne and Phil Collins, “Immediate Family” is a backstage tour of rock history. This film should be in a theater near you soon.

DYLAN WEISS – Factual Television Producing

DYLAN WEISS is a non fiction television producer who makes films about the world's fastest motorized machines. He has produced for National Geographic, Discovery, Science Channel, and more. His shows are usually about the fastest most expensive cars made. And he wrote the book on FACTUAL TELEVISION PRODUCING. You can learn his secrets to success from the book and our conversation on Westdoc.

Patrick Moreau & Grant Peelle – The Highest of Stakes

THE HIGHEST OF STAKES follows the journey of Richard Heart, the top hat wearing, no-bullshit-talking, Louis Vuitton-collecting creator of HEX coin, which grew 10,000x in value during the financial market crash of 2022. Throughout that time, Heart raised a staggering $1 billion from the devoted HEX community in "sacrifices" to develop his latest product. Last week the SEC charged Heart with fraud and this week Regal Cinemas is releasing the feature documentary in more than 40 markets. Westdoc speaks with the two directors Patrick Moreau and Grant Peelle about their unique backgrounds and duo director filming techniques.  

Fernando Villena – Golden Boy

Nicknamed “The Golden Boy,” Oscar De La Hoya, with his good looks, electric charisma, and heartfelt story of winning Olympic gold for his dying mother, rocketed to national prominence as a superstar both in and outside the ring. Yet, all was not what it appeared to be behind that polished facade. Westdoc interviews the director of this two part HBO Max documentary, Fernando Villena. 

Sam Pollard – The League

The story of Black baseball begins a century before Jackie Robinson. Black people have been playing baseball as long as white people – as far back as the Civil War. And while some segregation in the sport always existed, the color line on the ball field was not rigidly enforced until the end of the nineteenth century, as racial lines hardened in all aspects of American life. The new documentary (in theaters and streaming now) THE LEAGUE by SAM POLLARD explores Black baseball as an economic and social pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, while also examining the unintended consequences of integration.

Huw Cordey & Keith Scholey – Our Planet II

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, honest and revealing on the years of hard work that went into this show.

Leslie Iwerks – 100 Years of Warner Bros

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 this documentary produced and directed by LESLIE IWERKS. Watch our conversation on the latest Westdoc now.

Nancy Buirski – Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy

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 painter, editorial collaboration, and why the original film was “inevitable.” 

James Adolphus – Being Mary Tyler Moore

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 during the editing process? How did Adolphus himself get hired on? Tune in to find out.
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