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