“Of Two Minds,” “Wordplay,” and “Superheroes,” Filmmaker Doug Blush

Episode 28 : BYOD: Bring Your Own Doc

Episode Synopsis

Doug Blush, the renowned editor and director, joins BYOD to discuss his latest film “Of Two Minds,” as well as share some tricks of the trade for editing and filming docs. We get into the issues that surround bipolar disorder and the filming of this sensitive subject.
We also talk about several of Doug’s other films (Superheroes, Wordplay, Freakonomics, and These Amazing Shadows), changing technology and financing tools that every doc maker would benefit from learning.

Guest Bio

Doug Blush is an award winning documentary director, editor, cinematographer, and writer who has edited a wide range of major theatrically released documentaries, including crossword puzzle culture (WORDPLAY), the national debt crisis (I.O.U.S.A.), the hypocrisy of closeted gay politicians (OUTRAGE), corporate David and Goliath battles (BEER WARS), and the adaptation of the popular book FREAKONOMICS. He recently was co-writer and editor of the Sundance 2011 Premiere documentary THESE AMAZING SHADOWS, and consulting editor for the Sundance 2011 Competition documentary
TROUBADOURS, as well as executive producer and co-editor of SUPERHEROES in the 2011 Slamdance Documentary Competition. In 2012, THE INVISIBLE WAR, which he edited and associate produced with director Kirby Dick, won the Sundance Audience Award for best American documentary.

Episode Breakdown

00:01 BYOD Intro.
00:58 Welcoming Doug Blush to the show.
03:13 “What attracted you to the subject matter?”
07:07 Examining the mental state of your subjects.
07:48 Of Two Minds, sex life clip.
09:26 The power of the editor in documentary and getting unionized.
13:54 Some resources Doug recommends for filmmakers.
15:10 Doug’s start in filmmaking and his love for documentary.
17:03 Of Two Minds, Clip: Liz.
21:30 Filming over several years.
24:24 Of Two Minds, Clip: Liz and youtube.
27:43 The common thread of creativity among bipolar sufferers and the question of medicine.
30:10 Free clinic resources for mental health.
31:01 Of Two Minds, Clip: Medication.
33:03 The choice between medication and poverty–a travesty.
34:09 Of Two Minds, Clip: Depression sucks.
36:02 How to see the film.
37:09 Financing the movie and advice on what to know for a production.
37:54 The Kickstarter dilemma and the audience for a cause.
41:41 Wordplay, Doug’s doc on crossword puzzles.
42:25 Wordplay, clip.
43:57 Confronting the crossword puzzle writers and getting tributed by the Simpsons.
46:07 Working with Eugene Jarecki on animation for Freakonomics.
47:47 Freakonomics, trailer.
50:09 The problematic abortion thesis that was animated.
50:39 Ondi’s Full Frame Film Fest anecdote.
52:25 “Tell us about, These Amazing Shadows.”
53:44 Problems of working with digital and losing your files.
55:20 These Amazing Shadows, trailer.
56:18 How to see These Amazing Shadows and vote for the greatest films of all time.
58:22 The choice between AVID and FinalCut.
1:01:19 Superheroes, Trailer.
1:03:04 The Daily Dig Down, Doc News.
1:05:48 Thanks and goodbye!

Additional Links

http://www.oftwomindsmovie.com/
http://vimeo.com/madpixfilm
http://twitter.com/#!/madpixfilm
http://kirbydick.com/company.html
http://www.creativecow.net/

Comments

Hosted By

Ondi Timoner

Ondi Timoner is the only filmmaker to win Grand Jury Prize at Sundance twice. Born in Miami, Florida, Timoner graduated cum laude from Yale University, with a double major in American Studies (concentration in Film and Literature) and Theater Studies.

Vladimir Radovanov

Vladimir Radovanov is a musician, entrepreneur and entertainment attorney, and has represented numerous entities in the entertainment industry, including musical artists, record labels, independent filmmakers, and television and film production companies, including TV Guide and 20th Century Fox.