Documentary First: Conversations on Documentary Filmmaking14 Mar 2025

Episode 247 | Eric Gardner, Director of ”Confessions of a CEO”

Are you fascinated by the power of storytelling and the secrets behind captivating documentaries?

If you’re into deep dives into reality TV, the creative process, and the art of balancing hard-hitting truths with compelling narratives, this episode is for you.

Join host Christian Taylor and visionary documentary filmmaker Eric Gardner as they unpack the making of Confessions of a CEO: My Life in an Out of Balance World—the riveting true story of Tom Gegax. In this heartfelt conversation, Eric shares his personal journey from his early days in reality TV and film school to navigating the ethical and creative challenges of modern documentary filmmaking.

Eric opens up about the difficulties of tackling controversial topics and the lengths he goes to maintain factual integrity. He offers candid insights into innovative techniques like AI-enhanced voiceovers and the delicate art of reenactments that bring his stories to life. With a nod to the groundbreaking impact of films like Super Size Me, he also reveals how his experiences—both triumphant and challenging—have shaped his unique perspective on storytelling.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about documentaries, film production, or simply eager to discover how raw, honest storytelling can change the way we see the world. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or a dedicated fan of transformative cinema, prepare to be inspired by a conversation that blends creative passion with real-world insights and a genuine love for the art of filmmaking.

Go to confessionsofaceomovie.com for more information including how to watch the documentary.

DocuView Déjà Vu

Eric Gardner:

Three Identical Strangers, 2018, 96 mins, Watch on Tubi or Amazon/Prime, IMDB Link: Three Identical Strangers (2018) - IMDb

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking 03:28 Eric Gardner's Background and Film Overview 05:45 Navigating Controversial Subjects in Documentary 10:11 The Role of Distributors in Documentary Success 18:43 Gardner's Career First Steps 26:00 Editing Battle Stories 33:00 "Confessions of a CEO" 41:00 Challenges To Find Entertainment 44:50 Reenactment Critiques 56:47 Docuview Déjà Vu Segment

Sponsor: http://ArtillerySports.com Use the code DocFirst for 10% off your order today!

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(298)

The Velveteen Rabbit and Old Home Movies: What Is Real?

What does The Velveteen Rabbit, a 1922 children's book about a stuffed toy, have to do with old home movies and AI?In Margery Williams' classic story, an old toy called the Skin Horse tells a stuffed ...

15 Okt 16min

Archival Footage: Why Use Home Movies?

What happens to a family's home movies when no one knows what to do with them?Phil Maher was a software engineer looking for a sense of purpose when he started watching his grandfather's family reels ...

8 Okt 49min

How Do You Get a Documentary Made? Ask the Woman Who Co-Runs RKO

Do you have a documentary, or do you have a Wikipedia entry?Somebody decides whether your documentary gets made. Sophia Dilley is one of those people. She runs Concord Originals, the division behind S...

10 Sep 53min

Beyond Banners: How to Make a Documentary With No Film School

Who finishes your film if you can't?Andre N. Jackson had never made a film. He had twenty years in technology and security, an idea that arrived while he was sitting in a barber's chair, and no way in...

21 Aug 40min

Why Can't Your Documentary Find an Audience? l Deep Dive on Ep. 284

When did your audience stop being people and become a number?Most independent films and podcasts do not fail because the work is bad. They fail because no one ever felt like they belonged to them. Thi...

13 Aug 13min

Ep. 284 I How to Fund a Documentary Without the Industry

How do you fund a documentary when the whole industry says no?How do you fund a documentary without film funds, grants, or a commissioning broadcaster, and still reach a huge audience? Dutch filmmaker...

6 Aug 51min

Who Believed in You First?

Who believed in you before you could believe in yourself? In this Deep Dive, documentary filmmaker Christian Taylor makes a quiet case that we rarely overcome self-doubt on our own. Almost no one fini...

30 Jul 13min

Cold War in Philly: Joe Amodei Directs His First Documentary

What happens when a film distributor with more than 40 years in the business finally makes his own documentary?Joe Amodei grew up in Philadelphia watching the Flyers with his parents, sisters and brot...

23 Jul 54min