{"id":155914,"date":"2021-06-24T12:49:29","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T17:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=155914"},"modified":"2021-06-24T12:49:29","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T17:49:29","slug":"best-documentaries-about-filmmaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/best-documentaries-about-filmmaking\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn from the Masters: The Best Documentaries About Filmmaking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-these-insightful-documentaries-about-filmmaking-can-offer-more-inspiration-and-advice-than-any-film-class-ever-could\"><span id=\"these-insightful-documentaries-about-filmmaking-can-offer-more-inspiration-and-advice-than-any-film-class-ever-could\">These insightful documentaries about filmmaking can offer more inspiration and advice than any film class ever could.&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to learn about filmmaking, the first thing you should do is watch a lot of films. I mean, like, <em>a lot<\/em> of films. Watch everything you can. Watch films that you love, watch films that you hate, watch films that inspire you, and watch films that challenge you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And, if you really want to learn more about how these films are actually made, you should follow that up by watching films about filmmaking. There are tons of incredible documentaries that cover the art of filmmaking, ranging from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/walter-murch-how-to-edit-film\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">director retrospectives<\/a>, famous \u201cthe making of\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/how-to-make-better-documentaries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">documentaries<\/a>, as well as comprehensive studies about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/jim-cummings-youtube-series-filmmaking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">filmmaking<\/a> itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those who love watching and learning from films, we have a list of the best documentaries about filmmaking to give you plenty of creative insights, inspiration, and advice. Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lost-in-la-mancha\"><span id=\"lost-in-la-mancha\"><em>Lost in La Mancha<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x-elMvdIhjE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ll start with one of the best documentaries about the sheer insanity of filmmaking. <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0308514\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Lost in La Mancha<\/a><\/em> is a 2002 documentary that tells the story of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000416\/?ref_=tt_ov_st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Terry Gilliam<\/a>&#8216;s (first) attempt to make a film adaption of the famous <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Miguel_de_Cervantes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Miguel de Cervantes<\/a> novel <em>Don Quixote de la Mancha<\/em>. SPOILER: He ultimately fails at his endeavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, the documentary\u2014written, directed, and shot by documentary filmmakers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0298488\/?ref_=tt_ov_dr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Keith Fulton<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0672492\/?ref_=tt_ov_wr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Louis Pepe<\/a>\u2014gives a real, and (at times) raw, look into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/artist-highlight-the-genius-insanity-of-terry-gilliam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Gilliam\u2019s filmmaking process<\/a> as the production, starring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000136\/?ref_=tt_ov_st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Johnny Depp<\/a>, ultimately fails to reach completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Lost in La Mancha<\/em> has layers, too, as you can actually now watch a fully-realized version of the film Gilliam was able to complete in 2018\u2014<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1318517\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">The Man Who Killed Don Quixote<\/a><\/em>\u2014as well as followup with an updated documentary on the entire scope of the process called <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt8591046\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">He Dreams of Giants<\/a><\/em>, which came out in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>What you can learn:<\/strong><\/strong> <em>Lost in La Mancha<\/em> offers many filmmaking lessons as it covers the exhaustive breadth of work that making a movie takes. However, it\u2019s best lesson might be one of patience and perseverance, as Gilliam must ultimately accept the fate that while you might have a dream project you want to make, you have to face the harsh realities of waiting for the right time and place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hitchcock-truffaut\"><span id=\"hitchcock-truffaut\"><em>Hitchcock\/Truffaut<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2H5dBxIatZw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Premiered in 2015 at the Cannes Film Festival,<em> <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3748512\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><em>Hitchcock\/Truffaut<\/em><\/a> is any cinephile&#8217;s documentary dream, providing an in-depth exploration into the work of two of the most famous, iconic filmmakers of all time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Directed by film critic and documentary filmmaker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm2719270\/?ref_=tt_ov_dr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Kent Jones<\/a>, the documentary follows a brief, beautiful period of time in 1962 when French filmmaker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000076\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Fran\u00e7ois Truffaut<\/a> spent over a week with acclaimed English director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/alfred-hitchcocks-macguffin-technique\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Alfred Hitchcock<\/a> to catalogue his observations, admirations, and their collective conversations in his book, fittingly titled <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hitchcock\/Truffaut\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><em>Hitchcock\/Truffaut<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The documentary also gives great insights into the shared histories of these two famous directors (Truffaut was a huge fan of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/did-alfred-hitchcock-actually-direct-the-psycho-shower-scene\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Hitchcock<\/a>\u2019s), as well as explore how both directors would go on to influence cinema overall. The insightful interviews include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/martin-scorsese-filmmaking-masterclass\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Martin Scorsese<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001707\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Paul Schrader<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/stylize-cinematography-like-wes-anderson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Wes Anderson<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/behind-the-scenes-mindhunter-production\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">David Fincher<\/a> (just to name a few).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>What you can learn:<\/strong><\/strong> There\u2019s a lot you can glean from watching these two directors converse and interact about their own respective views on cinema and how they direct. However, I\u2019d suggest that you try to learn through osmosis by hearing all these amazing filmmakers talk. There\u2019s a lot to take away in regards to the reverence they hold for cinema, their contemporaries, and the past masters they admire and try to emulate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(As a bonus, since it\u2019s not technically a documentary, if you&#8217;re a fan of Truffaut and self-reflective films that explore the art of filmmaking, check out his 1973 film <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0070460\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Day for Night<\/a><\/em> (<em>La Nuit Am\u00e9ricaine<\/em>)\u2014a fictional narrative film that still closely follows Truffaut\u2019s own experiences making a movie.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-electric-boogaloo-the-wild-untold-story-of-cannon-films\"><span id=\"electric-boogaloo-the-wild-untold-story-of-cannon-films\"><em>Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-igpjqRDgDI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like many, my love for filmmaking isn&#8217;t only reserved for the high-brow and art-house. I\u2019m also a fan of the wild, crazy, over-the-top movies you find at midnight screenings and in VHS collections. And, for fans of those B-movies and underappreciated gems, there&#8217;s no more important name than <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Cannon_Group,_Inc.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Cannon Films<\/a>, which during its heyday in the 80s and 90s produced B-movie classics like <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0082332\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Enter the Ninja<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0090927\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">The Delta Force<\/a><\/em>, and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0094074\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Superman IV: The Quest for Peace<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those who have ever wondered how these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/guide-to-basic-film-genres\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">genre film favorites<\/a> ever came to existence in the first place, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2125501\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films<\/a> <\/em>will give you the best primer on how one audacious company financed, produced, and distributed such a wide array of eclectic films, ranging from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/breaking-down-action-film-genre\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">action<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/genre-breakdown-horror-films\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">horror<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/genre-breakdown-sci-fi-films\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">sci-fi<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you can learn:<\/strong> From a filmmaking perspective, <em>Electric Boogaloo<\/em> does indeed lift the veil a bit on how the film industry actually works. No film in the existence of filmmaking has ever been greenlit and produced without producers and companies behind it trying to make money. While these might not have been the most critically or commercially successful films, it gives you an idea of how you should (or perhaps shouldn\u2019t) try to make films on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-room-237\"><span id=\"room-237\"><em>Room 237<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sJr7TEVvjqw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While you could categorize <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2085910\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Room 237<\/a><\/em> as a documentary film about <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0081505\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">The Shining<\/a><\/em>, it\u2019s not quite what I\u2019d call a documentary in the traditional sense. Especially when we\u2019re looking at such a rich history of <em>making-of<\/em> documentaries and featurettes that actually focus on <em>how<\/em> a film was made (<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/8o-n6vZvqjQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">like this one on the making of <em>The Shining<\/em> on YouTube<\/a>). Instead, <em>Room 237<\/em> explores much less about <em>how<\/em> <em>The Shining<\/em> came to be, and more of the <em>why<\/em> and <em>what<\/em> it ultimately means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is largely due to <em>The Shining\u2019<\/em>s director <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000040\/?ref_=tt_ov_dr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Stanley Kubrick<\/a>, who has enamored film fans, critics, and makers for decades with his beautiful, challenging, and (at times) disturbing works that often offered more questions than answers. <em>The Shining<\/em>, in particular, has perplexed viewers for years. And, as <em>Room 237 <\/em>explores, the theories and threads you can follow are fascinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The film is presented all through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/recording-better-narration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">voiceovers<\/a> as various film theorists provide their own interpretations into why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/john-alcott-cinematographer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Kubrick<\/a> made the film and what he was trying to say with his many profound, yet confusing, filmmaking decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>What you can learn:<\/strong><\/strong> I truly believe <em>Room 237 <\/em>should be standard viewing for any aspiring filmmaker or film school student. It teaches you that for every on-screen film moment, there can often be years of thought put into both the <em>how<\/em> and the <em>why<\/em>. If you can approach filmmaking with even just 1\/10th of the amount of focus as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/the-films-and-career-of-stanley-kubrick-an-in-depth-look\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Kubrick<\/a> put into <em>The Shining<\/em>, you can create some powerful, thought-provoking films of your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-my-life-directed-by-nicolas-winding-refn\"><span id=\"my-life-directed-by-nicolas-winding-refn\"><em>My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6Rz9SAZQrH0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, if you\u2019re a fan of filmmaker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0716347\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Nicolas Winding Refn<\/a>&#8216;s dark, cerebral, often neon-laden films\u2014<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0780504\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Drive<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1974419\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">The Neon Demon<\/a><\/em>, and his series <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt6517320\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Too Old to Die Young<\/a><\/em>\u2014then we have a treat for you. The acclaimed director granted unprecedented access into the filming of his 2013 action\/crime drama <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1602613\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Only God Forgives<\/a> <\/em>to one of the most intimate documentary filmmakers ever\u2014his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Written, directed, and shot by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0179828\/?ref_=tt_ov_dr\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\">Liv C<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0179828\/?ref_=tt_ov_dr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">orfixen<\/a>\u2014Refn\u2019s wife\u2014as well as an actor in several of his films, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/My_Life_Directed_by_Nicolas_Winding_Refn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn<\/a><\/em> gives you some of the most raw, intimate, and unfiltered looks into the day-to-day life of a film director in the middle of a chaotic overseas film production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>What you can learn:<\/strong><\/strong> You can see how much Refn cares about his filmmaking, while he also understandably struggles to be a husband, father, and film director all at the same time. If you\u2019ve ever truly wondered if you have the sheer amount of passion, commitment, and creativity to make a feature film with a star like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0331516\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Ryan Gosling<\/a> and with a large number of producers, cast, and crew counting on you, then this is by far the best look into what it takes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more filmmaking advice, inspiration, and insights, check out these additional articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/a24-vs-marvel-future-of-cinema\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">A24 vs. Marvel: The Battle for the Future of Cinema<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/best-films-about-filmmaking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">The 7 Best Films About Filmmaking<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/editor-james-k-crouch-editing-feature-film-during-covid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Editor James K. Crouch on Editing a Feature Film During COVID<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/filmmaking-trends-shallow-focus-cinematography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Filmmaking Trends: Why Shallow Focus Cinematography Is Here to Stay<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/a-complete-guide-to-documentary-filmmaking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">A Complete Guide to Documentary Filmmaking<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Cover image from<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3748512\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Hitchcock\/Truffaut<\/a> <em>via <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cohenmedia.net\/Films.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Cohen Media Group<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These insightful documentaries about filmmaking can offer more inspiration and advice than any film class ever could.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":155950,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3843,79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-class-post-155914","post-class-post","post-class-type-post","post-class-status-publish","post-class-format-standard","post-class-has-post-thumbnail","post-class-hentry","post-class-category-filmmaking-2","post-class-category-inspiration"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.5 (Yoast SEO v21.5) - 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