Ep 255 - Lead and Copper: Exposing the Flint Water Crisis

In this insightful episode, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun speaks with documentary filmmaker William Hart about his eight-year journey creating Lead and Copper, a film that exposes the ongoing Flint water crisis and the political and social factors behind it. William breaks down what drew him to Flint, how he navigated filming through a pandemic, and the unexpected twists he encountered—from missing documents to changing regulations. Whether you’re a filmmaker, screenwriter, or simply curious about how documentaries come to life, this conversation is packed with inspiration and hard-earned lessons on perseverance and impact.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:William’s Origin StoryHow a childhood fascination with filmmaking led him into journalism and, ultimately, documentary work on the Flint crisis.The pivotal moment he arrived in Flint for Yahoo News and realized there was a bigger story to tell.Behind the Scenes of Lead and CopperWilliam’s extensive research process and why it took eight years (and counting) to complete this documentary.Surprising obstacles and revelations along the way—like missing city hall documents and community members disappearing.Filmmaking Through Setbacks and COVIDHow travel limitations and funding shortages impacted the production timeline.The parallels between public health negligence in Flint and early COVID response efforts.Political Implications & Community ImpactThe role of state-appointed emergency managers and the debate over democratic vs. authoritarian decision-making.Why the Flint crisis remains relevant nationwide, and how other cities face similar water infrastructure concerns.Documentary Filmmaking AdviceWilliam’s practical tips for aspiring filmmakers: from picking a story “close to home” to assembling a reliable, supportive team.The iterative process of shooting and editing in segments to shape a powerful final narrative.Distribution & Next StepsWhere to watch Lead and Copper—available on multiple on-demand platforms starting November 19.Future screenings in Michigan and how William aims to spark dialogue in other communities at risk.ABOUT THE GUESTWilliam Hart is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, and video producer who has spent the last eight years creating Lead and Copper, a film examining the Flint water crisis. With a background in on-the-ground reporting for outlets such as Yahoo News, William’s work aims to amplify social justice issues and advocate for policy reforms that protect vulnerable communities. He has screened his documentary at film festivals throughout the U.S. and plans to continue using it as a tool for public education and activism.ABOUT THE HOSTGeoffrey D. Calhoun is the host of The Successful Screenwriter, dedicated to empowering and educating storytellers. As a screenwriter, best-selling author, and entrepreneur, Geoffrey’s mission is to offer professional insights, interviews, and resources to help creatives thrive in the ever-evolving film and TV industry.Connect with Geoffrey:www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.comInstagram - @screenwriterpodTikTok - @screenwriterpodYouTube - The Successful ScreenwriterWatch Lead and Copper: Catch William’s documentary on your favorite on-demand platform.Share & Review: If you found this episode valuable, please share it with fellow filmmakers, screenwriters, and advocates who want to learn more about creating social-change documentaries.Stay Inspired: For more episodes packed with industry insights and expert advice, follow The Successful Screenwriter on your favorite podcast platform.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this conversation with William Hart, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us keep the spotlight on stories that need to be heard.#Filmmaking, #DocumentaryFilm, #WaterCrisis, #FlintWaterCrisis, #LeadAndCopper, #Filmmaker, #SocialJustice, #CleanWaterForAll, #PublicHealth, #InspiringStories, #Screenwriting, #BehindTheScenes, #PodcastInterview, #FilmmakersLife, #IndieFilm, #DocumentaryFilmmaker, #TrueStory, #MichiganFilm, #TheSuccessfulScreenwriter🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!