Rough Cut

Michael Werner returns to Rough Cut and sits down with filmmaker Ondi Timoner to discuss the unique challenges involved in making documentaries involving one's own family. Ondi talks with Michael about her recent films "Last Flight Home" and "All God's Children," which explore deeply personal subjects like her father's final days and her sister’s religious and social justice work. She candidly shares the emotional and ethical dilemmas she navigated and the delicate nature of making films focused on deeply personal experiences and relationships.  Show LinksInterloper Films: https://www.interloperfilms.com/Michael Werner: https://videoconsortium.org/members/michael-werner CreditsHost Michael WernerGuests Ondi TimonerExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Audrey HorwitzMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium 

On this episode of Rough Cut, artist and filmmaker Dennis Scholl speaks with Elan Golod about his new documentary Nathan-ism, and the complicated work of making art about artists. Dennis and Elan discuss their film’s impact on artist's legacies, how to make canvases and sculptures compelling on film, and the complexities of working with a subject who is used to having creative control. This nuanced conversation will resonate with filmmakers who have navigated relationships with complex film participants and faced challenging artistic choices when working with archival materials and other nontraditional media. Show LinksDennis Scholl: https://schollcreative.com/about/Elan Golod: https://videoconsortium.org/members/elan-golodNathan-ism: https://www.nathan-ism.com/CreditsHost Dennis SchollGuests Elan GolodExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Audrey HorwitzMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium

On this episode of Rough Cut, filmmaker and editor Ann Collins talks to director Sandra Luckow about her new feature doc, Vanishing: A Love Story, shot entirely on an iPhone. Ann and Sandra discuss how smartphones have made filmmaking more accessible than ever before — but it’s not as simple as pulling a phone out of your pocket and recording. Tune in to hear from Sandra about the additional gear and apps she used to film the deeply personal story of author Cai Emmons’ end-of-life journey. Show LinksVanishing: A Love Story - www.vanishingalovestory.comCreditsHost Ann CollinsGuest Sandra LuckowExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Audrey Horwitz Music by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium

On this episode of Rough Cut, Brandon Graves and Kamaria Roberts—Video Consortium’s Newsroom Collective team—unpack video as a crucial tool for newsrooms. They also share their personal journeys through the industry, discuss the challenges and opportunities facing local journalism today, and explore why VC’s Newsroom Collective is a game-changer for newsrooms integrating video storytelling into reporting. If you’re curious about where journalism is headed (hint: video is the future), this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Show LinksBrandon Graves: https://videoconsortium.org/members/bgraves Kamaria Roberts: https://videoconsortium.org/members/kamarialeylaThe Newsroom Collective: https://videoconsortium.org/newsroomsCreditsHost Brandon GravesGuest Kamaria Leyla RobertsExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Audrey HorwitzMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium 

In this episode of Rough Cut, esteemed journalist and VC Board member Kevin Merida, former Executive Editor of the Los Angeles Times, sits down with award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter for a wide ranging conversation, including her latest documentary, Luther: Never Too Much, the art of weaving archival footage into compelling narratives, and the vital role of local journalism. Kevin and Dawn offer deep insights into the power and possibilities of nonfiction video storytelling. Tune in for an enriching exploration of the evolving landscape of nonfiction video.Show LinksKevin Merida: https://videoconsortium.org/members/kevinmeridaDawn Porter: https://www.trilogy-films.com/Luther: Never Too Much: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10850320/CreditsHost Kevin MeridaGuest Dawn PorterExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Audrey HorwitzMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium

On this episode of Rough Cut, filmmaker and writer Michael Werner talks to Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman, who shook up the documentary landscape with their film Cocaine Cowboys. The bold documentary launched their careers and solidified their reputation as daring storytellers who push against industry norms. Billy and Alfred, who have been collaborators since high school, talk to Michael about their dedication to telling Miami stories, and how they approach documentaries with genre-bending ideas and outside-the-box thinking. A must listen episode about the art of pushing limits and unfiltered storytelling. Show LinksMichael Werner: https://videoconsortium.org/members/michael-werner Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman https://www.rakontur.comCreditsHost Michael WernerGuests Billy Corben and Alfred SpellmanExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Audrey HorwitzMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium 

This week on Rough Cut we’re joined by animators and filmmakers Lizzy Hogenson and Zach Dorn, who, with host Sean David Christensen, delve into how animation lends itself to emotional intensity in nonfiction stories.All three filmmakers use a myriad of artistic mediums in their films. For Lizzy it’s needle-felting and claymation, among other mediums. For Zach it’s puppets and illustrations, and for Sean it’s miniature sets and other unique storytelling techniques.  Sean talks with Lizzy and Zach about their creative processes and how these mediums and techniques evoke emotional intimacy for the viewer. Show LinksSean David Christensen: https://videoconsortium.org/members/seandchristensenZach Dorn: https://zachdorn.comLizzy Hogenson: www.lizzyhogenson.comLizzy’s film “Dani”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWH8iDhkwbsCreditsHost Sean David ChristensenGuests Lizzy Hogenson and Zach DornExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Monica GokeyMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium 

Quincy Ledbetter and Mito Habe-Evans met on NPR’s video desk, when Mito hired Quincy after a refreshingly casual and candid interview. On this episode of Rough Cut, Quincy, an independent filmmaker and artist, and Mito, a Creative Director and Supervising Video Producer at NPR, talk about what it takes to build a creative team and foster a positive work culture. We dive into the “vibe check,” how the punk scene shaped Mito’s creative outlook, and other ways Mito thinks about creating teams and connecting with collaborators. Show LinksQuincy Ledbetter: https://videoconsortium.org/members/qledbetterMito Habe-Evans: https://videoconsortium.org/members/mito-habe-evansNPR Video: https://www.npr.org/series/718730324/videoCreditsHost Quincy LedbetterGuests Mito Habe-EvansExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Monica GokeyMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium

Join Joss Fong, a former Vox journalist and co-founder of the YouTube channel 'Howtown', and Adam Cole, another Vox alum, as they share their journey of launching their new channel. They discuss the creative challenges of independent journalism, balancing storytelling and viewer engagement, and the evolution of their content strategies. Discover how diverse art forms inspire their work and the power of collaboration in overcoming obstacles in a competitive digital landscape.

In this month’s episode of Rough Cut Podcast, filmmaker and curator Stephanie Owens talks with Oscar-winning director Ben Proudfoot about the art of short documentary. Growing up in Nova Scotia, Ben was a young magician with a youth championship win, but after a trip to Los Angelis his goals changed, setting him on a new path. Stephanie and Ben start at the beginning and this conversation is an engaging journey through Ben’s unique career path from magician to celebrated filmmaker. Now the founder and CEO of Breakwater Studios, Ben leads a team of artists who make both brand-funded and independent short documentaries. Together, they’re redefining and championing the short documentary as its own unique storytelling format. A fun and engaging episode for anyone who loves short documentaries, and for those who follow their curiosity and embrace the twists and turns of creative work!Watch the interview: https://youtube.com/@videoconsortium Show LinksBreakwater Studioshttps://breakwaterstudios.com/The Last Repair Shop, Directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowershttps://breakwaterstudios.com/film/the-last-repair-shop/Stephanie Owenshttps://www.sowenstapes.com/CreditsHost Stephanie OwensGuest Ben ProudfootExecutive Produced by Sky Dylan-Robbins and Kat VecchioProduced by Monica GokeyMusic by Zack WrightClick here to join or support the Video Consortium