Talk Doc To Me

Ever wonder what actually makes two directors work well together instead of butting heads? Leah gets into it with Haley Watson and Justin Emeka, the co-directing duo behind "Songs of Black Folk," a Tribeca 2025 documentary following Seattle's leading Black musicians as they come together for a groundbreaking Juneteenth concert.Haley Watson is an Emmy-nominated director based in Los Angeles. You may know her from the short documentary "Motorcycle Mary," executive produced by F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and Breakwater Studios, which later became part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. She's also a cinematographer whose work spans documentary, narrative, and commercial projects.Justin Emeka is an award-winning filmmaker from the Pacific Northwest with over 25 years of experience as a theater director, best known for blending classical works with Black cultural expression.Spoiler: it's not about splitting everything evenly. Haley and Justin talk through how they figured out their roles, why "co-directing" doesn't have to mean being in the same room, and the moment they realized they could just trust each other and let go.In this interview you will learn…

• Why Haley and Justin don't consider themselves typical "co-directors"
• The concept of creative "lanes" and how it saved their partnership
• Directing a film while living in two different states
• What each of them brings to the table that the other doesn't
• How their first project together, "Biological," built the trust for this one
• Their honest take on when collaboration works and when it just gets in the way

Episode Resources & Links:Watch Songs of Black Folk on PBS POV Shorts / American Documentary and LA Times Short Docs — details on their Instagrams below.Follow Songs of Black Folk:  / songsofblackfolkdoc  Follow Haley on Instagram:  / haleylwatson  Follow Justin on Instagram:  / jemeka1  Talk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios:https://www.sundocstudios.comFollow on Instagram:  / thedocumentarycouple  

Documentary filmmaker Matthew Meredith has an authentic chat with David Bolen, the iconic, modern DP that's created a style all his own.David Bolen is an award-winning cinematographer based out of Los Angeles, California. He is best known for his international work on feature films, television and documentaries. David was cinematographer for the feature documentary "Some Kind of Heaven" which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim. It was produced by Darren Arronofsky and acquired by Hulu for streaming.David shot "A Concerto is a Conversation" which was nominated for Best Short Documentary at the 92nd Academy Awards. His narrative feature "Thelma" premiered in competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and had a wide theatrical release. He recently wrapped up production on "Primetime", an A24 feature starring Robert Pattison and directed by Lance Oppenheim.David also frequently shoots television series. His credits include "America's Team" (Netflix) "Delhi Crime" (Netflix), "Chef's Table" (Netflix), Untold" (Netflix) and "The Deep End" (Hulu).In this interview you will learn…- David's view on references and pre-production- How David films with Lance Oppenheim- Where David's inspiration comes from- David's favorite lens choice - How to get hired for DP work- How David met Ben Proudfoot- A conversation of imitation - A time David screwed up on set- How America's Team was filmed- What it's like to work with Chapman and McClain WayEpisode Resources & Links:https://www.davidbolen.com/Follow David on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/davidbolendpTalk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios:https://www.sundocstudios.comFollow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thedocumentarycoupleConnect with Matthew on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/storiesbymatthew

In this episode of Talk Doc To Me, Leah de Leon sits down with filmmaker and storyteller Julio Palacio for a deep conversation about the creative, ethical, and technical decisions behind his Oscar-shortlisted short documentary Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World.Julio shares how his Colombian background and visual sensibility shaped his filmmaking voice and how he approached telling a story as intimate and complex as Makayla’s, a nonverbal teenager whose inner world was unlocked through letterboard communication. Together, Leah and Julio explore how Makayla’s Voice came together and how to authentically represent your characters/participants.They examine how documentary filmmakers can navigate:Crafting narrative from authentic subject experienceBalancing ethical storytelling with cinematic beautyWorking with subjects with non-verbal autismWhat it was like to work with Portia Cue for Makayla's voice overWhether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned doc creator, this episode breaks down real choices Julio had to make that shaped one of the most talked-about short documentaries of the year.About Julio Palacio:Julio Palacio is an award-winning director known for crafting emotional, visually compelling short documentaries. His work has screened at festivals around the world, including Tribeca, Slamdance, Sundance, and others, and his film Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World was shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards and distributed on Netflix.🎬 Learn more about Julio & Makayla’s Voice:https://makaylasvoice.com/Talk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios🎧 Listen on Spotify🔗 Connect with Leah and Matthew on LinkedIn📸 Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/thedocumentarycouple

Would you choose cryonics if it meant a chance at life beyond death?In this episode of Talk Doc To Me, Leah sits down with filmmaker and storyteller Ömer Sami for a thoughtful conversation about psychology, cryonics, and the emotional responsibility of documentary filmmaking.Ömer shares how his background and lived experiences shaped his creative voice, and how exploring cryonics became central to his latest film, Eternal Father. Together, Leah and Ömer examine how documentaries can navigate complex, controversial subjects like cryonics with nuance, empathy, and narrative clarity, inviting audiences into big questions about life, legacy, and what it means to preserve hope beyond death.In this episode, you will learn:• How Ömer approaches psychology and emotional truth in documentary storytelling• What it takes to explore cryonics responsibly and humanely on screen• The creative and ethical considerations behind Omer’s new film, Eternal Father• How filmmakers can tackle speculative or misunderstood subjects with depth and compassionAbout Ömer Sami:Ömer Sami is a filmmaker whose work explores the psychological and emotional dimensions of the human experience. Through an intimate and reflective lens, his films examine identity, belief, and the boundaries between science, hope, and legacy.🎬 Learn more about Ömer’s work:https://www.omersami.com/Talk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios🎧 Listen on Spotify🔗 Connect with Leah and Matthew on LinkedIn📸 Follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/thedocumentarycouple

In this episode of Talk Doc To Me, Leah sits down with motion graphics visionary Kennon Fleisher to explore how thoughtful motion graphics help shape and enhance some of the most compelling documentaries and series streaming today.In this interview you will learn…

• How Kennon first fell in love with motion graphics
• What it’s like designing motion graphics for high-profile documentary and docu-series projects
• How motion graphics deepen emotional impact and narrative clarity in non-fiction storytelling

Kennon Fleisher is a multidisciplinary Creative Director, Motion Designer, and Visual Storyteller whose work spans film and television post-production, main titles, graphics packages, and visual development.His motion design and creative direction have contributed to acclaimed projects including Man in the Arena: Tom Brady, In the Arena: Serena Williams, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, and World War II: From the Frontlines, the latter of which earned recognition for outstanding graphic design.Kennon brings a director’s vision, producer’s strategy, and designer’s aesthetic to every project, blending narrative purpose with visual innovation to elevate documentary storytelling. He leads creative ventures through his studios Kinesis.tv and Duskline Pictures, where he develops original films and series while sharing insights on creative practice and media development with peers and aspiring creators. Episode Resources & Links:Learn more about Kennon’s work: https://www.kennonfleisher.com/Find Kennon on Substack: https://kennonfleisher.substack.com/Talk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios🎧 Listen on Spotify🔗 Connect with Leah & Matthew on LinkedInFollow on Instagram:www.instagram.com/thedocumentarycouple

In this episode of Talk Doc To Me, we explore how Ema Ryan Yamazaki tells universal stories through a personal lens including her Oscar-nominated short doc “Instruments of a Beating Heart.”

Ema Ryan Yamazaki is a Japanese/British documentary filmmaker with a unique perspective as an insider and outsider in Japan. After growing up in Osaka, she moved to New York to attend NYU and became an assistant editor to Sam Pollard.

As an Editor, she worked on numerous projects with Marc Levin, including CLASS DIVIDE (2015). Ema has Directed/Edited three feature documentaries — THE MAKING OF A JAPANESE (2023), KOSHIEN: JAPAN’S FIELD OF DREAMS (2019), and MONKEY BUSINESS: THE ADVENTURES OF CURIOUS GEORGE’S CREATORS (2017). She has also recently served as Editor and Co-Producer for Shiori Ito’s BLACK BOX DIARIES, which premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance 2024. In 2025, Ema made history by being the first Japanese director nominated in the short documentary category.

In this interview you will learn…

- Ema’s path growing up Japanese-British

- How she got her start as a documentary editor

- How Ema balanced motherhood while directing Oscar-nominated “Instruments of a Beating Heart”

Episode Resources & Links:

Learn more about Ema’s work: https://www.emaexplorations.com/en/

Talk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios

Watch on YouTube

Connect with Leah & Matthew on LinkedInFollow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedocumentarycouple

So... Film School or No Film School?

That is the question Leah and her business partner, filmmaker Matthew Meredith, are diving into this week.

From how they fell in love to building Sundoc Studios, a documentary studio in San Diego, Leah and Matthew share the real story behind their path. No filters or fluff.

They talk about how they each found their way into filmmaking, what those early years actually looked like, and the mistakes they made in business first starting out.

And for anyone standing at the crossroads, wondering whether to go to film school or just start shooting, this one is for you.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How Leah and Matthew first got into filmmaking

• The lessons and losses from their first years running a production company

• Their honest take on film school versus real world experience

• Practical advice for young filmmakers ready to start

If you are building something from the ground up and trying to figure out your next move, this episode is for you.

Episode Resources and Links:

View Matthew’s Work

Talk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios

Follow on Instagram

Every great documentary starts with a vision—but it takes the right team to turn that vision into reality.

Leah sits down with award-winning filmmaker Cole Sax to break down the essential steps to building a dream team for your documentary.

With a career spanning collaborations with YouTube Originals, VICE, Google, Nike, and The Olympics, Cole shares insights from his experience directing World Debut, an award-winning feature documentary produced in partnership with Boardwalk Pictures and executive produced by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  The right time to reach out to collaborators
• What you need in order to pitch production partners
• How to foster strong creative relationships

Cole has built and directed teams of all sizes and has brought stories to life on a global scale. If you're ready to build your dream team, this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Resources & Links:

View Cole’s Work:

⁠https://www.colesax.com/⁠

Talk Doc To Me is presented by ⁠Sundoc Studios⁠

⁠Follow on Instagram⁠ 

⁠Watch on YouTube⁠

⁠Connect with Leah on LinkedIn⁠

⁠Learn more about Documentary Producing

How do you navigate the documentary job landscape? Asking for a friend…

Leah sits down with Devon Blackwell to chat about her time working at The New Yorker, how she handled layoffs, and her approach to using archival materials in documentaries.

Devon Blackwell is a director and editor, a Sundance Ignite Fellow, and currently pursuing her Master’s in Documentary Filmmaking at Stanford University. She began her career as a filmmaker and curator at The New Yorker, where she produced Nina and Irena, a film that was shortlisted for an Oscar. She’s also a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and her recent film, Goodbye, Morganza, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, earning a special jury mention in the Short Documentary category.

About Goodbye, Morganza: A property dispute led to one family’s displacement from their ancestral home. Today, their youngest daughter is left to pick up the pieces—all of them fitting within two storage units.

In this episode, we discuss:

✨ How to get your documentary featured on The New Yorker

✨ Navigating layoffs and grad school

✨ How to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list

✨ Tackling imposter syndrome

✨ Tips for using archival footage in your documentary

Episode Resources & Links:

Learn more about documentary producing: Leah’s YouTube

Sure, we all have our dream brands; but how do you actually land a partnership for your film? 

Leah chats with Anna Wilder Burns and they discuss how she and her team were able to raise $20K through brand partnerships for their original film ‘Beyond Normal.’

Anna Wilder Burns is an award-winning Cinematographer and Director who tells impactful stories about athletes, adventurers, and activists. A former Division 1 athlete, she specializes in sports and outdoor content, with a unique ability to connect with her subjects and a passion for striking visuals. She has worked with major brands like Nike, The North Face, and Team USA, and her films have screened worldwide, earning recognition in festivals such as Banff and HollyShorts.

Beyond Normal chronicles the journey of professional surfer Becca Speak as she fights her way back to the water after a traumatic brain injury. An intimate portrait of self discovery, the film is an exploration of the human spirit and a vulnerable look into the gravity of a TBI.

In this interview you will learn…

Episode Resources & Links:

View Anna’s Work:

https://www.annawilderburns.com/

Watch the Beyond Normal Trailer:

https://www.madebackeast.com/beyond-normal

Follow Anna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaburnsy/

Talk Doc To Me is presented by Sundoc Studios

Follow on Instagram 

Watch on YouTube

Connect with Leah on LinkedIn

Learn more about Documentary Producing