Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a simple idea into a captivating documentary? It shouldn't be a surprise that it all boils down to the art of storytelling.

This mini episode outlines the four-step process that allows you to take an idea and develop it into a real story - a documentary that is meaningful, memorable and has an impact.

This is how storytellers have to think. There are great documentary makers who have succeeded without a process or a system, but often, it's because they have years of experience using their successes and failures to hone their craft.  That's what I explore when I talk to the great storytellers in this podcast - what is their approach that makes what they do have the best chance of success?

If you are struggling with your idea or feel that your documentary idea is evolving into a meaningless list, then listen as I explain a step-by-step system that enables you to explore your idea deeply and provides you with the building blocks you can use to structure your story.

Great opening scenes that set up your documentary, ideas that evolve and develop as the story progresses, act turns that are meaningful, and a climax that is inevitable and yet surprising. This doesn't happen by accident.

There are countless documentaries that seem to have a great idea but lose focus. You watch it and think, 'What is this story for?' They seem to be less than the sum of their parts. 

But when they work, it's because of the power of their storytelling.

This is the methodology I rely on when I'm working on TV series and films for a global audience - documentaries that simply have to work.

This episode outlines that process so that you spend less time lost in what some people call 'the process' (which can take weeks, months or years) and more time honing and developing a documentary story that simply works. 

Are you interested in joining the DocFix program and working with Nigel?

Get started with our complimentary case study that shows you how the method is used in high-profile documentaries and to see if you are a good fit for what we do and how we work. 

Instagram: @nigel.levy.stories
Facebook: Nigel Levy - The Doc Fix

Incidental music composed by Birger Clausen 

Many years ago, I was in the theatre watching a play about The Troubles (the horrific violence and conflict endemic in Northern Ireland). I had no connection to those events, and yet that play was one of the most engaging and thrilling dramatic experiences I have had - in a theatre or on film.

The writer of that work is  Gary Mitchell, a writer who transformed his working-class upbringing into a successful career as a playwright and screenwriter. 

In our conversation, Gary details his self-education, starting with learning five to ten words a day from a dictionary and a thesaurus to becoming one of the most acclaimed dramatists of his generation. You'll also gain insights into how he transformed his experiences during the Troubles in Belfast into universally relatable stories, resulting in his meteoric rise in the world of theatre.
  
We explore the craft of storytelling and the art of translating stories across cultures and find out how language can shape and alter the tone of a story and its interpretation across different societies. We also delve into the impact of Gary's success on his life and community, discussing the challenges he faced when his award-winning plays were misinterpreted and how this ultimately led to a five-year period of hiding for him and his family.
  
And it doesn't end there; we examine the craft of documentary filmmaking and discuss how to make facts meaningful and entertaining and how to find the emotional truth in a moment to fit it into a dramatic scene. 

Gary shares insights into his journey to confidence and success and the intriguing encounter with the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis. Lastly, we explore the technique of creating compelling stories from personal experiences, with believable characters that grip the audience from beginning to end. This episode is a masterclass in storytelling and a glimpse into the life of an exceptional dramatist.

 Find out more about Gary here

Are you interested in joining the DocFix program and working with Nigel?

Get started with our complimentary case study that shows you how the method is used in high-profile documentaries and to see if you are a good fit for what we do and how we work. 

Instagram: @nigel.levy.stories
Facebook: Nigel Levy - The Doc Fix

Incidental music composed by Birger Clausen 

One of the most significant documentaries in recent times was made by Henry Singer. He took an image of the horror of the 9/11 terror attack on the Twin Towers in New York - The Falling Man - and turned it into a powerful story about... well, exactly how that story came to be is one thing we cover in our conversation.
 
 Along the way, we share Henry's experiences, his father's expectations, and his transition into journalism and filmmaking.  We reveal the 'magic' of making a sequence work, the potent influence of integrity in filmmaking, and how that can make a film strike a chord with its audience. Henry and I also delve into the grit and confidence that are requisites when creating a documentary film, the significance of honing in on one's methods, and the importance of understanding the filmmaking process as a whole. 
   
 In the latter part of our discussion, we explore the crafting of documentaries that captivate audiences and probe into a variety of topics. We discuss the delicate balance of merging public service issues with commercial interests, endowing stories with multiple dimensions, and creating films that are both inventive and accessible. We also touch on the toil of filmmaking and the worth of European film festivals. Ultimately, this episode represents a fascinating deep-dive into the realm of documentary filmmaking and is an essential listen for anyone intrigued by the art of storytelling via film.
 
 Some of Henry's films:
 9/11 - The Falling Man, Baby P: The Untold Story, The Betrayed Girls: The Rochdale Scandal

Are you interested in joining the DocFix program and working with Nigel?

Get started with our complimentary case study that shows you how the method is used in high-profile documentaries and to see if you are a good fit for what we do and how we work. 

Instagram: @nigel.levy.stories
Facebook: Nigel Levy - The Doc Fix

Incidental music composed by Birger Clausen 

Ben Turner is one of the creative minds behind Fulwell 73. This production powerhouse is responsible for global hit entertainment shows like The Kardashians, James Corden's Late Late Show, Carpool Karaoke, music series with Ed Sheeran, stadium events with Elton John and sports series such as Sunderland 'Til I Die - the series on which he and I first met. 
   
This conversation is a rare insight into the storytelling behind some of the most successful TV shows in modern broadcasting. We discuss Ben's journey to becoming a storyteller, his passion for creating stories filled with hope and optimism, and the broad range of projects he and his team have worked on. You'll also hear about how he transitioned from a budding songwriter to a filmmaker, discovering his knack for storytelling through editing.  
   
Listen as we explore the process and art of storytelling, with a particular focus on documentary filmmaking. We discuss the importance of having a clear vision, understanding the unique elements the medium of film can bring, and how to use these elements to create the best version of your story. We also talk about the challenges of making a documentary series about the football team that was his boyhood love, the impact of the changing atmosphere of the entertainment industry on storytelling, and the significance of understanding failure in shaping the tone of filmmaking.  
   
You'll hear about reality TV's influence on storytelling, creating meaningful content for a mass audience, and the value of collaboration and feedback in filmmaking. We reflect on our experiences with the series 'Sunderland Till I Die', the importance of uniting shooting and editing teams, and the joys of seeing a project come to life. Whether you're a filmmaker, a storyteller, or just a fan of great TV, this episode is packed with wisdom and insights you won't want to miss.

Are you interested in joining the DocFix program and working with Nigel?

Get started with our complimentary case study that shows you how the method is used in high-profile documentaries and to see if you are a good fit for what we do and how we work. 

Instagram: @nigel.levy.stories
Facebook: Nigel Levy - The Doc Fix

Incidental music composed by Birger Clausen 

Hello, I’m Nigel Levy, creator of DocFix – a practical storytelling system built from decades at the highest levels of documentary and factual filmmaking. It's been created to explore the simplest yet most powerful way to create meaningful documentary stories. 

Storytelling in documentaries is something that seems to exist between drama techniques and instinct. But it is its own discipline, with specific skills and techniques that exist to take reality, something you care about, and create stories with impact.

If you get it wrong, you have documentaries that are no more than a list, a confusion of ideas that mean very little. 

This series of podcasts is designed to share the experiences of some of the world's most successful storytellers working in factual TV and documentaries. We will be exploring the processes, techniques and strategies that can take an idea and turn it into a compelling and powerful story. 

I was lucky enough to begin my time in broadcasting as a young assistant producer at the BBC. It was, in many ways, a wonderful experience. But there were many things that were never taught, and you were expected to discover for yourself. 

Specifically, once again,  storytelling. 

In this first episode, I share how I decided to work out exactly what was involved in creating great documentary stories so that I left nothing to chance.    

Are you interested in joining the DocFix program and working with Nigel?

Get started with our complimentary case study that shows you how the method is used in high-profile documentaries and to see if you are a good fit for what we do and how we work. 

Instagram: @nigel.levy.stories
Facebook: Nigel Levy - The Doc Fix

Are you interested in joining the DocFix program and working with Nigel?

Get started with our complimentary case study that shows you how the method is used in high-profile documentaries and to see if you are a good fit for what we do and how we work. 

Instagram: @nigel.levy.stories
Facebook: Nigel Levy - The Doc Fix

Incidental music composed by Birger Clausen