The Town with Matthew Belloni Why Documentaries Are Better and Worse Than Ever With Sheila Nevins
Apr 4, 2024
Sheila Nevins, former HBO Documentary Films president, discusses the rise of documentaries in mainstream media through streaming. Topics include the balance between quantity and quality, society's fascination with crime, and the need to redefine documentary filmmaking standards. Matt also predicts box office success for upcoming films.
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Streaming's Impact on Documentaries
- Streaming services have increased documentary viewership, broadening the audience.
- However, this has led to concerns about a decline in overall quality.
Democratization of Documentaries
- Documentaries used to cater to a niche, intellectual audience.
- Sheila Nevins aimed to broaden their appeal, blending entertainment with informational value.
Swinging Documentary
- When a fictional show about swinging aired, Sheila Nevins countered with a documentary on the same topic.
- This reflects her approach of tackling real-world behaviors, regardless of how controversial they might be.