For Hulu documentary executives Belisa Balaban and Beth Osisek, flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to the constant pivoting required by vérité and investigative projects — a quality that they say only strengthens unscripted storytelling.
“The hallmark of nonfiction is that you don’t always know where a story’s going to go,” Balaban, who serves as SVP of Hulu original documentaries and unscripted series told TheWrap for this week’s Office With a View. “That’s always the central challenge, and also opportunity of nonfiction filmmaking. And of course, that’s the challenge and opportunity for us — then we’ve got to pivot on our end as well — a story might shift, or the length might shift or characters might shift, and we’re there to support filmmakers through that process.”
As Balaban and Osisek, Hulu’s VP of documentaries, embrace feature-length documentaries and multi-part docuseries as what Osisek calls “living,...
“The hallmark of nonfiction is that you don’t always know where a story’s going to go,” Balaban, who serves as SVP of Hulu original documentaries and unscripted series told TheWrap for this week’s Office With a View. “That’s always the central challenge, and also opportunity of nonfiction filmmaking. And of course, that’s the challenge and opportunity for us — then we’ve got to pivot on our end as well — a story might shift, or the length might shift or characters might shift, and we’re there to support filmmakers through that process.”
As Balaban and Osisek, Hulu’s VP of documentaries, embrace feature-length documentaries and multi-part docuseries as what Osisek calls “living,...
- 6/16/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Hulu Originals has acquired “We Live Here: The Midwest” from documentary filmmakers David Miller and Melinda Maerker.
The doc explores personal stories of Lgbtqi+ families who are striving to build lives in their communities despite biased legislation and mounting prejudice. The families hope to stay in a part of the country they love, and where they have established deep roots.
The families featured in the doc include a trans/queer family with five children in Iowa who must find a new community after being expelled from their church; a gay Black couple with a young daughter who test the line of acceptance in Nebraska; a lesbian couple who is homeschooling their bullied son on a farm in Kansas; a gay teacher in Ohio who is creating a safe space for Lgbtqi+ students; and a couple in Minnesota that is struggling to rebuild their families after their transitions.
The doc...
The doc explores personal stories of Lgbtqi+ families who are striving to build lives in their communities despite biased legislation and mounting prejudice. The families hope to stay in a part of the country they love, and where they have established deep roots.
The families featured in the doc include a trans/queer family with five children in Iowa who must find a new community after being expelled from their church; a gay Black couple with a young daughter who test the line of acceptance in Nebraska; a lesbian couple who is homeschooling their bullied son on a farm in Kansas; a gay teacher in Ohio who is creating a safe space for Lgbtqi+ students; and a couple in Minnesota that is struggling to rebuild their families after their transitions.
The doc...
- 5/3/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Diane von Furstenberg, the influential fashion designer who popularized the women’s wrap dress, will be the subject of a new documentary at Hulu.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the Oscar-winning filmmaker of the shorts “Saving Face” and “A Girl in the River,” is directing the film with Trish Dalton. A release date and title for the feature-length documentary will be announced at a later date.
Through archival footage and intimate interviews, the film takes a deep dive into the life and career of von Furstenberg, who forged a path for herself in a male-dominated industry and built a multi-million-dollar fashion empire. She was born in Belgium to Holocaust survivors and began designing women’s clothing around 1970, about a year after marrying Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. They divorced in 1983 and she later moved to New York, where her company’s flagship boutique is still located. Von Furstenberg’s designs have been worn by...
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the Oscar-winning filmmaker of the shorts “Saving Face” and “A Girl in the River,” is directing the film with Trish Dalton. A release date and title for the feature-length documentary will be announced at a later date.
Through archival footage and intimate interviews, the film takes a deep dive into the life and career of von Furstenberg, who forged a path for herself in a male-dominated industry and built a multi-million-dollar fashion empire. She was born in Belgium to Holocaust survivors and began designing women’s clothing around 1970, about a year after marrying Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. They divorced in 1983 and she later moved to New York, where her company’s flagship boutique is still located. Von Furstenberg’s designs have been worn by...
- 4/20/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu is adding three new titles to its growing lineup of original docs: “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” “Queenmaker: The Making of An It Girl,” and “The Jewel Thief.”
“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” “recounts the rise and fall of a small Atlanta Hbcu picnic that exploded into an influential street party and spotlighted Atl as a major cultural stage,” per Hulu’s description. “Can the magic of Freaknik be brought back 40 years later?
Executive producers include showrunner Geraldine L. Porras and director P Frank Williams, as well as Jermaine Dupri, Luther Campbell, Peter Bittenbender and Melissa Cooper for Mass Appeal, Eric Tomosunas for Swirl Films, Terry Ross and Alex Avant. Nikki Byles and Jay Allen are producers.
From MRC, “Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl” reveals the story behind the now-defunct “Park Avenue Peerage” blog. “In the height of heiress-era NYC, an anonymous blogger infiltrated Manhattan’s elite,...
“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” “recounts the rise and fall of a small Atlanta Hbcu picnic that exploded into an influential street party and spotlighted Atl as a major cultural stage,” per Hulu’s description. “Can the magic of Freaknik be brought back 40 years later?
Executive producers include showrunner Geraldine L. Porras and director P Frank Williams, as well as Jermaine Dupri, Luther Campbell, Peter Bittenbender and Melissa Cooper for Mass Appeal, Eric Tomosunas for Swirl Films, Terry Ross and Alex Avant. Nikki Byles and Jay Allen are producers.
From MRC, “Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl” reveals the story behind the now-defunct “Park Avenue Peerage” blog. “In the height of heiress-era NYC, an anonymous blogger infiltrated Manhattan’s elite,...
- 4/6/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu has set its next big true-crime doc project, a series following the notorious Sarah Lawrence College sex cult, just as its latest addition to the genre, Adam McKay’s “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty,” has achieved the title of Hulu’s most-watched documentary film to date.
The Disney-owned streamer, which does not release specific viewership figures for its content, confirmed to Variety that the new record set by “God Forbid,” and previously held by 2019’s “Fyre Fest,” counts all original and non-original docs and is based on hours streamed within the first three weeks.
Produced by Alfred Spellman’s Rakontur and McKay’s Hyperobject and directed by Billy Corben, “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty” centers on Giancarlo Granda, former pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel, as he recounts the alleged events of his relationship with Becki Falwell and her husband,...
The Disney-owned streamer, which does not release specific viewership figures for its content, confirmed to Variety that the new record set by “God Forbid,” and previously held by 2019’s “Fyre Fest,” counts all original and non-original docs and is based on hours streamed within the first three weeks.
Produced by Alfred Spellman’s Rakontur and McKay’s Hyperobject and directed by Billy Corben, “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty” centers on Giancarlo Granda, former pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel, as he recounts the alleged events of his relationship with Becki Falwell and her husband,...
- 11/28/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The Sundance Institute has unveiled the producers and the projects selected for this summer’s Producers Lab and Producers Summit. Taking place July 25-28 and July 29-31, respectively, the events are being held in person at Utah’s Sundance Mountain Resort. The Producers Lab will feature six fiction films’ and five nonfiction films’ producers and their projects while the summit will host 40 industry insiders and 26 indie filmmakers.
Advisors for the feature film program include David Hinojosa (Zola, Bodies Bodies Bodies), Amy Lo (Nancy, Sugar), Riva Marker (The Guilty, Relic), Josh Penn (Beasts of the Southern Wild) and Jason Michael Berman (Nine Days, Uncorked) while the documentary film program features Daffodil Altan (PBS’ Frontline), Violet Feng (Hidden Letters, Tigre Gente), Andrea Meditch (Ernie & Joe, Fathom), Bob Moore (Midwives, Softie) and Amanda Spain (MSNBC Films).
Industry participants in this year’s summit include Maria Altamirano...
The Sundance Institute has unveiled the producers and the projects selected for this summer’s Producers Lab and Producers Summit. Taking place July 25-28 and July 29-31, respectively, the events are being held in person at Utah’s Sundance Mountain Resort. The Producers Lab will feature six fiction films’ and five nonfiction films’ producers and their projects while the summit will host 40 industry insiders and 26 indie filmmakers.
Advisors for the feature film program include David Hinojosa (Zola, Bodies Bodies Bodies), Amy Lo (Nancy, Sugar), Riva Marker (The Guilty, Relic), Josh Penn (Beasts of the Southern Wild) and Jason Michael Berman (Nine Days, Uncorked) while the documentary film program features Daffodil Altan (PBS’ Frontline), Violet Feng (Hidden Letters, Tigre Gente), Andrea Meditch (Ernie & Joe, Fathom), Bob Moore (Midwives, Softie) and Amanda Spain (MSNBC Films).
Industry participants in this year’s summit include Maria Altamirano...
- 7/25/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sundance Institute, the nonprofit organization that puts on the yearly film festival in Park City, has announced the entrants for its Producers Lab and Producers Summit.
Both events, the former taking place from July 25 to 28 and the latter from July 29 to 31, will be held in person at Utah’s Sundance Mountain Resort. The Institute picked six fiction film and five non-fiction film producers and their projects. Producers Lab and Producers Summit, which counts more than 40 industry leaders and 26 independent filmmakers among its participants, supports up-and-coming producers through year-round mentorship, granting, educational resources, strategic introductions, and networking opportunities with the industry.
“It has been three years since we have been able to gather in person, and over this time, the landscape for independent storytelling has shifted dramatically. It’s never been more critical to work to create a sustainable future for independent producers, a key priority for the Lab and Summit,...
Both events, the former taking place from July 25 to 28 and the latter from July 29 to 31, will be held in person at Utah’s Sundance Mountain Resort. The Institute picked six fiction film and five non-fiction film producers and their projects. Producers Lab and Producers Summit, which counts more than 40 industry leaders and 26 independent filmmakers among its participants, supports up-and-coming producers through year-round mentorship, granting, educational resources, strategic introductions, and networking opportunities with the industry.
“It has been three years since we have been able to gather in person, and over this time, the landscape for independent storytelling has shifted dramatically. It’s never been more critical to work to create a sustainable future for independent producers, a key priority for the Lab and Summit,...
- 7/25/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has named the participants for its 2022 Producers Lab and Summit, both of which are set to take place in person this year at Utah’s Sundance Mountain Resort.
The Fellows and projects selected for the Lab’s Feature Film Program are Apoorva Guru Charan (The Rotting Of Casey Culpepper), Leah Chen Baker (The President’s Cake), Eli Raskin (Starfuckers), Chloe Sabin (Sales Per Hour), and the duo of Helena Sardinha and Doménica Castro (Huella). Those set for the Lab’s Documentary Film Program are Lindsey Dryden (Untitled Dwarfism Project), Yoni Golijov (Untitled Sura Mallouh Project), Dawne Langford (Untitled Baltimore Project), Neyda Martinez (Bartolo) and Igor Myakotin (Queendom).
Jade Jackson (Losa), Lauren Lopez de Victoria (Forward), Fox Maxy (Water Tight), Albert Tholen and Aiko Masubuchi (Earthquake), and Séverine Tibi (Birthday) will participate in the Producers Summit on the Fiction Features side, with Nonfiction Feature participants to include Jude Chehab...
The Fellows and projects selected for the Lab’s Feature Film Program are Apoorva Guru Charan (The Rotting Of Casey Culpepper), Leah Chen Baker (The President’s Cake), Eli Raskin (Starfuckers), Chloe Sabin (Sales Per Hour), and the duo of Helena Sardinha and Doménica Castro (Huella). Those set for the Lab’s Documentary Film Program are Lindsey Dryden (Untitled Dwarfism Project), Yoni Golijov (Untitled Sura Mallouh Project), Dawne Langford (Untitled Baltimore Project), Neyda Martinez (Bartolo) and Igor Myakotin (Queendom).
Jade Jackson (Losa), Lauren Lopez de Victoria (Forward), Fox Maxy (Water Tight), Albert Tholen and Aiko Masubuchi (Earthquake), and Séverine Tibi (Birthday) will participate in the Producers Summit on the Fiction Features side, with Nonfiction Feature participants to include Jude Chehab...
- 7/25/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock announced that the new docuseries “Paris in Love” will begin streaming Nov. 11, with new episodes dropping every following Thursday.
The 13-part wedding series will follow Hilton as she discovers the road to the altar has a few unexpected turns along the way as she prepares to marry successful venture capitalist Carter Reum. In the midst of planning for the wedding, fans will watch as Hilton navigates adulthood, a demanding work schedule and plans for her future. Hilton’s mother Kathy Hilton and sister Rothschild Hilton will support her through it all, from her engagement part to bridal dress shopping to the bachelor and bachelorette party in Las Vegas.
From Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Shed Media, Telepictures and Slivington Manor Entertainment, “Paris in Love” is executive produced by Mike Darnell, Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Bridgette Theriault, Andrea Metz, Perry Dance, Paris Hilton and Bruce Gersh. Watch a trailer for the series below.
The 13-part wedding series will follow Hilton as she discovers the road to the altar has a few unexpected turns along the way as she prepares to marry successful venture capitalist Carter Reum. In the midst of planning for the wedding, fans will watch as Hilton navigates adulthood, a demanding work schedule and plans for her future. Hilton’s mother Kathy Hilton and sister Rothschild Hilton will support her through it all, from her engagement part to bridal dress shopping to the bachelor and bachelorette party in Las Vegas.
From Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Shed Media, Telepictures and Slivington Manor Entertainment, “Paris in Love” is executive produced by Mike Darnell, Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson, Bridgette Theriault, Andrea Metz, Perry Dance, Paris Hilton and Bruce Gersh. Watch a trailer for the series below.
- 10/26/2021
- by Katie Song
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu has promoted a pair of executives to vice presidents.
Ashley Chang will serve as vp content development, drama, and Beth Osisek has been upped to vp original documentaries and limited series at the Disney-run streaming service. Chang reports to Hulu Originals head of drama Sasha Silver, and Osisek reports to Hulu Originals head of unscripted and documentaries Belisa Balaban.
“Ashley has been an instrumental part of the team since the day she joined,” said Silver. “She is incredible with talent, has a keen eye for material and, beyond that, is ridiculously kind, to the benefit of every ...
Ashley Chang will serve as vp content development, drama, and Beth Osisek has been upped to vp original documentaries and limited series at the Disney-run streaming service. Chang reports to Hulu Originals head of drama Sasha Silver, and Osisek reports to Hulu Originals head of unscripted and documentaries Belisa Balaban.
“Ashley has been an instrumental part of the team since the day she joined,” said Silver. “She is incredible with talent, has a keen eye for material and, beyond that, is ridiculously kind, to the benefit of every ...
- 10/26/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Australian International Documentary Conference (Aidc) will be held entirely online in 2021, with an early line-up of international speakers that includes Sundance Film Festival director Tabitha Jackson, and directors David France (Welcome to Chechnya) and Kirsten Johnson (Dick Johnson is Dead).
Aidc organisers have stated the reconfiguration of the event will allow it to be more accessible, and mean it can offer more international speakers and host a larger contingent of decision makers.
In recognition of the challenges facing the industry, Aidc will also offer a discount on the first 100 All Access passes sold.
The theme for 2021 event will be ‘Moment of Truth’, “recognising that humanity is living in a time when there’s no turning back and crucial decisions need to be made” in areas such as sustainability, resistance, action, truth-telling, innovation and the response to Covid-19.
Aidc CEO and conference director Alice Burgin said: “Aidc is excited to...
Aidc organisers have stated the reconfiguration of the event will allow it to be more accessible, and mean it can offer more international speakers and host a larger contingent of decision makers.
In recognition of the challenges facing the industry, Aidc will also offer a discount on the first 100 All Access passes sold.
The theme for 2021 event will be ‘Moment of Truth’, “recognising that humanity is living in a time when there’s no turning back and crucial decisions need to be made” in areas such as sustainability, resistance, action, truth-telling, innovation and the response to Covid-19.
Aidc CEO and conference director Alice Burgin said: “Aidc is excited to...
- 10/29/2020
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Bill Gates is getting the Steve Jobs treatment. A new Netflix docu-series will delve into the life and mind of the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist this fall, and it released a fascinating first trailer today. Titled “Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates,” the three-part series will premiere at the 46th Telluride Film Festival over Labor Day weekend. Prolific documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim is at the helm of the ambitious project, which promises to offer “an innovative and revealing portrait” of the legendary innovator.
Here’s the official synopsis: “After stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, Gates began what is undeniably one of the greatest professional second acts in modern history when he shifted his time and considerable intellect toward solving some of the world’s most persistent problems. The series, in-depth and unfiltered in its depiction of a man’s life journey, both his triumphs and setbacks, offers unprecedented...
Here’s the official synopsis: “After stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, Gates began what is undeniably one of the greatest professional second acts in modern history when he shifted his time and considerable intellect toward solving some of the world’s most persistent problems. The series, in-depth and unfiltered in its depiction of a man’s life journey, both his triumphs and setbacks, offers unprecedented...
- 8/29/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Netflix released the first trailer for “Inside Bill’s Brain” on Thursday giving a small glimpse into the many, many problems the Microsoft founder’s mind is attempting to work through at any given moment.
The three-part docuseries from “An Inconvenient Truth” director Davis Guggenheim, “Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates” explores “the mind and motivations” of the celebrated tech leader-turned-philanthropist, drawing on interviews with Bill and wife Melinda Gates in addition to their friends, family, and partners in philanthropy and business.
Right off the top, Guggenheim asks Gates what his greatest fear is. He replies wistfully, “I don’t want my brain to stop working.”
As shown in the trailer, “Inside Bill’s Brain” will not only explore the history of Gates’ career and personal life, it will also explore his attempts to work through macro-level problems like climate change, disease and world hunger via his charitable foundation.
The three-part docuseries from “An Inconvenient Truth” director Davis Guggenheim, “Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates” explores “the mind and motivations” of the celebrated tech leader-turned-philanthropist, drawing on interviews with Bill and wife Melinda Gates in addition to their friends, family, and partners in philanthropy and business.
Right off the top, Guggenheim asks Gates what his greatest fear is. He replies wistfully, “I don’t want my brain to stop working.”
As shown in the trailer, “Inside Bill’s Brain” will not only explore the history of Gates’ career and personal life, it will also explore his attempts to work through macro-level problems like climate change, disease and world hunger via his charitable foundation.
- 8/29/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Netflix has announced a new docuseries about Microsoft founder Bill Gates from Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim. The three-part series, Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates explores the mind and motivations of the tech visionary, business leader and philanthropist. It’s set to premiere September 20 on the internet TV network.
After stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, Gates shifted his attention toward solving some of the world’s most persistent problems.
The series “offers unprecedented access to Gates as he pursues unique solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems with the same level of optimism, curiosity, and fervor that inspired his original vision for Microsoft,” according to Netflix’s release. The series includes interviews with Bill and Melinda Gates, as well as their friends, family and partners in philanthropy and business.
Inside Bill’s Brain is created, directed and executive produced...
After stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, Gates shifted his attention toward solving some of the world’s most persistent problems.
The series “offers unprecedented access to Gates as he pursues unique solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems with the same level of optimism, curiosity, and fervor that inspired his original vision for Microsoft,” according to Netflix’s release. The series includes interviews with Bill and Melinda Gates, as well as their friends, family and partners in philanthropy and business.
Inside Bill’s Brain is created, directed and executive produced...
- 8/20/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is getting into the mind of Bill Gates. The streaming service revealed Tuesday it has set a three-part documentary “Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates” that “explores the mind and motivations of celebrated tech visionary, business leader, and philanthropist Bill Gates” and is directed by Academy Award winner Davis Guggenheim.
Here’s more of the official description, courtesy of Netflix:
After stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, Gates began what is undeniably one of the greatest professional second acts in modern history when he shifted his time and considerable intellect toward solving some of the world’s most persistent problems. The series, in-depth and unfiltered in its depiction of a man’s life journey, both his triumphs and setbacks, offers unprecedented access to Gates as he pursues unique solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems with the same level of optimism, curiosity, and fervor that...
Here’s more of the official description, courtesy of Netflix:
After stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, Gates began what is undeniably one of the greatest professional second acts in modern history when he shifted his time and considerable intellect toward solving some of the world’s most persistent problems. The series, in-depth and unfiltered in its depiction of a man’s life journey, both his triumphs and setbacks, offers unprecedented access to Gates as he pursues unique solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems with the same level of optimism, curiosity, and fervor that...
- 8/20/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
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