In this episode Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Features Programmer and filmmaker Michael T. Workman discusses the themes of labor, vulnerability and performance in his works, and avoiding the tropes present in personal films. Finally in today’s concluding thought, Edward talks about entering into more arthouse and experimental cinema environments.
Time Codes:
1:11 - Michael's Film Upbringings
6;12 - Michael's Exposure to Documentary
11:05 - From Parts Unknown Origins
18:05 - Expressing Vulnerability & Performance in From Parts Unknown
23:05 - Reality and Performance in Non-fiction
27:35 - Favor and Grace Origins
34:24 - Michael Breaks Down Favor and Grace's Cinematography and Collaboration with Adrian Burrell
39:00 - Avoid Retraumatize Audiences in Presenting Police Brutality Videos
43:12 - Origins of Meantime
50:55 - Michael Recognizing His Strengths and Limitations in Making a Personal Film in Meantime
55:35 - The Metaphor of Snow in Meantime
58:40 - Gender Roles in Meantime
1:04:19 - Michael's Experience and Role at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
1:14:20 - File Me Away
1:17:55 - Michael's Recommendation: I Love You Dad
1:19:17 - Concluding Thought: Edward Entering Into More Arthouse and Experimental Cinema Environments
Guest Bio:
Michael T. Workman (he/him) is a filmmaker, curator, and organizer based in San Francisco.

Workman grew up living between a trailer park and a house without wheels in Missoula, Montana. Workman’s documentaries have screened at festivals around the world including Sheffield Doc/Fest, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Sidewalk Film Festival and many more. His latest film Meantime (2022) won the Best Short Film Award at Mountainfilm Festival. He has served on juries for the International Documentary Association, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival, The Cuban Hat Pitch, and RIDM.

Workman is the Director of Features Programming at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival where he has worked in programming for close to ten years. He holds a B.F.A. in Fine Art from the University of Montana and an M.F.A. in Documentary Film from Stanford University. Workman is a member of the Board of Directors of Means TV, the only worker owned cooperative streaming platform. He currently teaches documentary production at University of San Francisco.
Show Notes:
Michael T Workman's released films: Constructed Situations, From Parts Unknown, Favor and Grace
Meantime Trailer

Ver todos los episodios