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
2 Feb 2026
How to Direct Docs with Authenticity: Makayla’s Voice w/ Julio Palacio
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/ (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVpyQ0xNVURvTVZHSWhZNWlHZXNETG93Sm1kUXxBQ3Jtc0ttM1N1Uk5jQ3BxMVhIY0RENkZ2Z2t3dDFqNjhsT3NkeHA1MERrbkVQUUk0aVg3bVF1OWxuNGNkalNZRTJ5T01ZaWIxNkdEcmFRdkVyQUttMkVOR3QtaVpHaHdOb21EN1dyN0ZGVjVvUG00ZkhsaG5Saw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmakaylasvoice.com%2F&v=G7Sx2Tp6eUA)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
28 Jan 2026
Dealing with Death, Psychology & Documentary with Ömer Sami
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/ (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2M4TkxRZHhXN0sxaDNhNXVXb1pqaE14U2FBUXxBQ3Jtc0trTmNXRVYwRndXcC1lOVlSd1Y2bFMwU1pFTVN6WnhQbXpGcjJsZFlHMXhIbEd1VVZTSFBXRWpTMEZrcGs4S2FhQmliTTA5eVo0Qmk4UVFZRllVa1RYem01el9OUk5fcnFVcE15NW8tZ2FOcnVxUUtQaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.omersami.com%2F&v=I0EWVkX-qUE)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
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44,846
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5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100
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YouTube
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