Filmmaker Ryan White Wants You To Eat Your Broccoli
May 30, 2023
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Filmmaker Ryan White discusses his diverse range of unique documentaries, including 'The Keepers,' 'The Case Against 8,' 'Good Night Oppy,' and 'Assassins.' He also talks about his latest project 'Pamela, A Love Story,' which explores the life of Pamela Anderson. Ryan White shares insights into filming with Anderson, the impact of the documentary, and how he balances light and dark in his projects.
Filmmaker Ryan White explores the complexities of Pamela Anderson's persona and career, revealing her desire to break free from the caricature created around her.
Ryan White discusses the challenges of documentary filmmaking, including shrinking opportunities for independent filmmakers and tackling geopolitical subjects.
Deep dives
Documentary Filmmaker Ryan White discusses his diverse range of projects
Ryan White is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker known for taking on a wide range of subjects, from the Mars rover to the Fight for Gay marriage to the unsolved murder of a nun. His most recent project, 'Pamela, a Love Story,' reexamines the life of 90s bombshell Pamela Anderson. White explores Anderson's rise to fame, her tumultuous relationships, and her transition to a quieter life on Vancouver Island. Through personal journals, home videos, and interviews, White presents a raw and vulnerable side of Anderson.
White's insight into Pamela Anderson's persona and career
In 'Pamela, a Love Story,' White delves into the complexities of Anderson's persona and career. He reveals that Anderson often felt trapped in the caricature that was created around her, and her desire to break free from it. Anderson's intense focus on the present and her resistance to reflecting on the past or regretting her choices make her a challenging but fascinating documentary subject. White also highlights Anderson's artistic side and her love for collaborative artistic endeavors, such as modeling and filmmaking.
The challenges and impact of filmmaking in today's industry
White discusses the challenges of documentary filmmaking in an ever-changing industry. He notes the shrinking opportunities for independent filmmakers, with many documentary units shutting down in major networks. White also highlights the difficulties of tackling geopolitical subjects like North Korea and Russia, which may limit distribution and audience reach. Despite these challenges, White remains committed to making films that are entertaining, character-driven, and thought-provoking.
Upcoming projects and balancing dark and light subject matters
White reveals that his next project is a return to true crime, working with Charlize Theron on a film about a mother's quest to find her missing daughter, uncovering a serial killer in the process. He aims to balance the darkness of certain topics with more lighthearted and hopeful projects, like his previous film 'Goodnight Oppy,' about a robot that went to Mars. White emphasizes the importance of maintaining a DIY approach to filmmaking, capturing intimate moments and focusing on character-driven narratives.
Filmmaker Ryan White has made a dizzying array of unique documentaries, including “The Keepers,” about the unsolved murder of a Catholic nun, “The Case Against 8” about the fight for marriage equality, “Good Night Oppy,” which traces the journey of NASA’s Mars Rover and “Assassins,” about the murder of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother. The Emmy-nominated director’s latest project, “Pamela, A Love Story,” is a raw look at the life of 90’s bombshell Pamela Anderson. It showcases a more vulnerable side of the actress and re-examines the major life events of the star – from her rise to fame to the infamous, stolen sex tape with her then-husband, Tommy Lee. Alec speaks with Ryan White about what he learned filming with Anderson, the impact the documentary had on her life and how he balances the light and the dark of his projects.