EP06 - Matt Wolf As Himself

New York City — Ben takes on the Big Apple and a long walk with filmmaker Matt Wolf, all by himself. This episode features a deep dive into Matt Wolf’s career and approach — from his days as a gay teen activist to his new two part series, Pee-wee As Himself, premiering on HBO Max. Matt leads Ben through the streets of the Lower East Side while sharing insights into his unique approach to doc filmmaking, the power of archival footage, and the importance of finishing what you start.

00:00 Introduction and First Impressions

00:44 Technical Difficulties and First Steps

01:18 Exploring the Neighborhood

03:11 Meeting Matt Wolf

05:14 Matt Wolf's Early Career

08:16 The Journey to Filmmaking

14:35 Reflecting on Success and Challenges

16:19 Finding New Stories

17:51 Navigating Construction Noise

18:26 The Art of Documentary Filmmaking

18:59 The Importance of Archival Material

20:56 Pitching and Funding Projects

23:20 Current Inspirations and New Projects

28:15 Challenges in the Documentary Industry

33:06 Passion for Filmmaking

35:29 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

36:50 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes