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Documentary FirstExpert interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and tips for filmmakers at every level. Author: Christian Taylor
Documentary First is your bi-weekly podcast exploring the craft of documentary filmmaking. Each episode features in-depth interviews with filmmakers, industry experts, and professionals, providing valuable tips and behind-the-scenes insights on how powerful documentaries are made. Whether you're a seasoned documentarian, an aspiring filmmaker, or just curious about documentary storytelling, you'll find expert advice, creative inspiration, and practical knowledge. Tune in and discover what it takes to create compelling documentaries that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. Language: en Genres: Documentary, Society & Culture, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 264 | Billy Joel: Telling the Story Behind the Musician (with Jessica Levin)
Episode 264
Thursday, 6 November, 2025
In this episode of Documentary First, Christian sits down with filmmaker Jessica Levin, co-director and producer of the Critics Choice Documentary Awards in the Best Music Documentary-nominated HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes. Jessica shares what it was like to tell the story of Billy Joel—not just as a legendary musician, but as a human being full of depth, contradiction, humor, and heart. Together, they explore the craft of music documentary filmmaking: how to build trust during intimate interviews, how to follow emotional truth rather than timeline, and how music itself can become the spine of a narrative. Jessica opens up about the collaborative process behind shaping the film’s nonlinear structure, as well as the responsibility that comes with telling a story about someone the world already feels like they know.Whether you are a filmmaker, a musician, or someone whose life has ever been held by a song — this conversation is creative, heartfelt, and filled with insights about storytelling, memory, and what it means to truly listen. Links:American Masters: American Masters (TV Series 1985– ) - Reference view - IMDbBilly Joel: And So It Goes: Billy Joel: And So It Goes (TV Mini Series 2025) - Reference view - IMDbInventing David Geffen: "American Masters" Inventing David Geffen (TV Episode 2012) - Reference view - IMDbJoni Mitchell: A Women of Heart and Mind: "American Masters" Joni Mitchell: A Woman of Heart and Mind (TV Episode 2003) - Reference view - IMDbThe Janes: The Janes (2022) - Reference view - IMDbDocuView Déjà VuThe Andy Warhol Diaries, 2022, Limited Series with 6 episodes, watch on Netflix, IMDB Link: The Andy Warhol Diaries (TV Mini Series 2022) - Reference view - IMDbTime Codes00:00 — Opening Reflections02:54 — Early Relationships and Artistic Roots05:31 — Balancing Myth and Humanity08:19 — Creating Space for Vulnerability in Interviews11:06 — Collaboration as Creative Strength13:50 — Following Emotional Truth, Not Just Timeline16:38 — How Personal Relationships Shape Art19:15 — Challenges of Documenting a Cultural Icon22:03 — Crafting a Nonlinear Story Structure24:55 — The Reality of Producing a Major Music Documentary27:42 — Audience Reaction and Cultural Memory30:14 — Tracking Billy Joel’s Musical Influences33:02 — What Makes...
