Ask the Doc Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: Made In L.A.
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Almudena Carracedo's "Made In L.A."
November 6th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Doc Doctor, Fernanda Rossi, checks out Made In L.A. (See the trailer here), a documentary that takes a look at the experiences of three immigrant women fighting for their rights as they struggle, working in the garment sweatshops of Los Angeles.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Soy Andina"
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Mitchell Teplitsky's "Soy Andina."
October 8th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Doc studies Mitchell Teplitsky's first film, Soy Andina (check out the trailer) and takes a behind-the-scenes look at how Teplitsky went from marketing director to successful filmmaker living in Peru. This October, the Doc will be presenting her signature workshops on story structure and fundraising trailers in Tucson, AZ and San Francisco, CA. For details check www.documentarydoctor.com. Also, check out the Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Sync or Swim"
The Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Cheryl Furjanic's "Sync or Swim."
September 1st, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
In the spirit of the Summer Olympics, the Documentary Doctor takes a look at filmmaker Cheryl Furjanic's Sync or Swim, which goes behind the scenes with the synchronized swimmers of the 2004 Summer Olympics. Also, check out the Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "This Is Where My Dog Is Buried"
July 10th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Doc Doctor takes a look behind the success of Israeli Producer and Director Nir Keinan's documentary This Is Where My Dog Is Buried. He describes the mistakes he made and the smart moves that ultimately led to the financing of the film. Also, check out the Doc Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Muskrat Lovely"
A look at Amy Nicholson's film, which aired on PBS's "Independent Lens"
June 5th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
To make Muskrat Lovely (view the trailer), her first full-length documentary, Amy Nicholson packed a small crew into a car and drove from New York City to rural Maryland. Her subjects were the women participating in the 50th anniversary muskrat-skinning competition, which they refer to as a pageant. She had only one camera and under three weeks to get all of the footage she needed. Here, she explains how she pulled it off. Also, check out the Doc Doctor's previous Anatomy columns.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea"
Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer braved camera-melting heat to film their documentary
May 6th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Independent's Doc Doctor Fernanda Rossi analyzes the success of Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea (view the trailer), directed by Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer. The filmmakers talk about sleeping in their car, having a camera melt in the heat, landing John Waters as a narrator, and re-editing their film after its world premiere at Slamdance. Also, check out Rossi's last "Anatomy" column on The Longing. Attention Colorado Filmmakers: The Doc will be conducting her signature workshops on story structure and trailer mechanics in Denver on May 17 and 18; she is also speaking at the Boston Media Market on May 30. For details, visit Documentarydoctor.com.
About this column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "The Longing"
The deeper she got into shooting, the more emotionally engaged filmmaker Gabriela Böhm became in her subjects' plight. The result is a very different film from the one she set out to make
April 5th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Independent's Fernanda Rossi interviews Gabriela Böhm about her film The Longing: The Forgotten Jews of South America. Böhm initially intended to make a dispassionate historical documentary complete with reenactments. As she became emotionally attached to her subjects, however, Böhm decided to rethink the tone of her film. The result is a compelling documentary that has been screened at more than 20 festivals worldwide.
About this new column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "I Was a Teenage Feminist"
Therese Shechter talks about where the idea—and the money—came from, for this very personal, irreverent film
March 19th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Independent's Fernanda Rossi looks at Therese Shechter's film I Was a Teenage Feminist (watch the trailer), which has screened at more than 50 festivals worldwide. The filmmaker assembled an impressive advisory board to help her make the film. And she financed a portion of the post-production with money raised from a Canadian television network — but only after a true stroke of luck. Attention New York Filmmakers: The Doc Doctor is bringing her signature workshops on story structure and trailer mechanics to New York City on April 12 and 19. For more information, go to DocumentaryDoctor.com.
About this new column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So each month, the Doc Doctor will go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. The "Anatomy of a Film Column" is a chance to learn from filmmakers' hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Film: "51 Birch Street"
Doug Block talks about the making of his hit documentary about his parents' marriage
February 10th, 2008 | Fernanda Rossi
The Independent's Documentary Doctor, Fernanda Rossi, looks at how filmmaker Doug Block made 51 Birch Street, a documentary about his parents' mercurial relationship. The film was a critical and commercial success (watch the trailer here), enjoying theatrical distribution for nine months in 60 cities worldwide. But like all filmmakers, Block had his struggles. Among them: sound quality. Also, check out the Doc Doctor's recent "Anatomy" columns on Divan and Rock and a Heart Place.
About this new column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So starting this month, the Doc Doctor decided to go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. Each month, her "anatomy" will be a chance to learn from their hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
The Doc Doctor's Anatomy of a Successful Film: "Divan"
Filmmaker Pearl Gluck uses her quest to reclaim a sofa to unpack the story of her Jewish heritage
December 26th, 2007 | Fernanda Rossi
In Divan, filmmaker Pearl Gluck embarks on a quest to reclaim a sofa on which esteemed rebbes slept. The journey takes her and the audience from New York City to Hungary, Ukraine, and Israel. The documentary has been accepted by more than 40 festivals including Tribeca, had a run at Film Forum in Manhattan, and aired on the Sundance Channel in the U.S. and on Channel 8 in Israel. You can watch the trailer, or check out previous columns that analyze the success of the films Rock in a Heart Place and Kiran over Mongolia.
About this new column: Many filmmakers ponder in anguish, How do other people—celebrated people—do it? Am I taking too long to make this documentary? Does everybody spend as much money as I am spending, or am I spending too little? And when filmmakers share their lessons learned in interviews in the glossy trade magazines, their tales seem to follow the arc of otherworldy heroes rather than real documentary makers, i.e. human beings like you and me. So starting this month, the Doc Doctor decided to go out into the world (this real world) of filmmakers who are successful and find out how they made it. Each month, her "anatomy" will be a chance to learn from their hits and misses in real life examples. —Fernanda Rossi, story consultant a.k.a. the Documentary Doctor
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