Doug, thank you for generously sharing Your 10 Rules resonate deeply—especially the reminder to embrace vulnerability and not overstay our welcome in our own films. As a documentary filmmaker from Peru working on a very personal project about death, your words offer both encouragement and necessary perspective. I’d love the opportunity to connect one day and learn more from your experience. Your work continues to inspire.
Thanks for the kind words, Delia. I'm aiming to post every week (ideally on Wednesdays) and will continue to share what I've learned from experience. Wish you the best of luck with your film. Btw, what's your last name? Are you a D-Word member?
Not surprised. In my Substack profile I describe Getting Personal as: Reflections on personal doc filmmaking, first-person storytelling and producing. I'm already making a list of a bunch more rules from a 2025 perspective for a future post.
On another note, I highly recommend Substack for you. I know you get a ton of traction on FB but there's a lot to be said for 1. doing special posts that go to subscribers inboxes, 2. having subscribers automatically grow your email list, and 3. getting some extra spending moolah via paid subscribers. I like to describe my Substack newsletter as writing an autobiography, only with the chapters all out of order.
Doug, thank you for generously sharing Your 10 Rules resonate deeply—especially the reminder to embrace vulnerability and not overstay our welcome in our own films. As a documentary filmmaker from Peru working on a very personal project about death, your words offer both encouragement and necessary perspective. I’d love the opportunity to connect one day and learn more from your experience. Your work continues to inspire.
Thanks for the kind words, Delia. I'm aiming to post every week (ideally on Wednesdays) and will continue to share what I've learned from experience. Wish you the best of luck with your film. Btw, what's your last name? Are you a D-Word member?
Now that I have read Part 2, Rules 6-10 I really think most of these rules can apply to first-person writing as well. I am saving them!!!! Thank you!!
Not surprised. In my Substack profile I describe Getting Personal as: Reflections on personal doc filmmaking, first-person storytelling and producing. I'm already making a list of a bunch more rules from a 2025 perspective for a future post.
On another note, I highly recommend Substack for you. I know you get a ton of traction on FB but there's a lot to be said for 1. doing special posts that go to subscribers inboxes, 2. having subscribers automatically grow your email list, and 3. getting some extra spending moolah via paid subscribers. I like to describe my Substack newsletter as writing an autobiography, only with the chapters all out of order.
Excellent advice. I look forward to reading your next substack on how you choose doc editors.