EP014 - Low Moments in Documentary with Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine

This one's a little different… Keith gets off the trail for an old-fashioned sit-down conversation with Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, the acclaimed husband-wife filmmaker duo behind the BOYS STATE and this year's MIDDLETOWN. Jesse and Amanda share insights and highlights from their films, their career, and the challenges and opportunities that come from working together as a married couple and film team. From THE OVERNIGHTERS through MIDDLETOWN, this sit-down episode offers an intimate look at the creative dynamics and career evolution of two impactful documentarians at the top of the form. Special thanks to the Austin Film Society for the collab on this one!   00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:10 Discussing 'Middletown' and Audience Reactions 02:40 The Impact of Streaming and Theatrical Releases 04:45 Early Inspirations and Career Beginnings 08:49 Meeting and Forming a Partnership 13:16 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Filmmaking 17:04 Navigating the Documentary Film Industry 23:59 The Uncertainty of Verité Filmmaking 24:57 Ethical Dilemmas in Documentary Filmmaking 26:11 The Role of Objectivity and Journalism in Documentaries 26:39 The Collaborative Process in Documentary Filmmaking 29:19 The Genesis of Boys State 34:21 The Impact of Boys State on Careers and Industry 38:37 Reflections on Middletown and Documentary Filmmaking 41:11 Final Thoughts and Future Projects