The Town with Matthew Belloni cover image

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.
32:16

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Streaming has made documentaries more popular and relevant, reaching diverse audiences.
  • Documentary filmmakers face ethical challenges balancing authenticity with commercial demands.

Deep dives

Evolution of Documentaries

Documentary films have evolved over the years, transitioning from being perceived as entertainment for the elite to reaching a broader audience that now includes various genres and styles. Sheila Nevins, a seasoned documentary filmmaker, discusses the shift in the documentary landscape, highlighting the financial aspects that have influenced the production and content of documentaries.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode