I haven't seen a single one, so thanks for sharing this list. Also, if you like author docs, you need watch Margaret Atwood: Once in August (made in 1984 and free on NFB site). Yes, pretentious title. Yes, pretentious framework (which I found part of the fun). But she NAILS it. Especially the part where she explains why writers should not ask family members for feedback on their work in progress...
That was incredibly kind of you to pull all these resources together! I know what I am doing this week when Spring returns to Toronto after our summer teaser.
I like the Fitzgerald one -- as you say, we don't learn much new. But one of the most interesting things to me about that doc is seeing how Fitzgerald influenced other writers, like McInerney.
Caught the "making of" the Hemingway documentary on PBS, but missed the actual presentation. Hopefully I'll come across it at some point!
A few others you may like:
The Center Will Not Hold about Joan Didion by her nephew (Netflix)
Everything is Copy about Nora Ephron (Crave)
Breslin and Hamlin: Deadline Artists (Crave)
David McCullough: Painting with Words (Crave)
The first two especially gave me huge insights into my own writing. They are certainly not "instructive" in the traditional sense, but seeing how they lived and worked and hearing how they thought, I saw a lot of my writerly self in there, too.
In any case, all four are also very well done, which is a huge bonus when it comes to bio-pics.
Excellent additions, Graham. I've seen the Didion doc and loved it, too. I will definitely check out the Nora Ephron one along with the others. McCullough is a master.
I haven't seen a single one, so thanks for sharing this list. Also, if you like author docs, you need watch Margaret Atwood: Once in August (made in 1984 and free on NFB site). Yes, pretentious title. Yes, pretentious framework (which I found part of the fun). But she NAILS it. Especially the part where she explains why writers should not ask family members for feedback on their work in progress...
Yes, if I’d had more room I’d have included that one, too. I watch it regularly. She was so young then.
Really appreciate this list, Terry! Thanks!
Thank you for this fabulous list.
That was incredibly kind of you to pull all these resources together! I know what I am doing this week when Spring returns to Toronto after our summer teaser.
Huge THANKS.
Nice list!
I like the Fitzgerald one -- as you say, we don't learn much new. But one of the most interesting things to me about that doc is seeing how Fitzgerald influenced other writers, like McInerney.
Caught the "making of" the Hemingway documentary on PBS, but missed the actual presentation. Hopefully I'll come across it at some point!
A few others you may like:
The Center Will Not Hold about Joan Didion by her nephew (Netflix)
Everything is Copy about Nora Ephron (Crave)
Breslin and Hamlin: Deadline Artists (Crave)
David McCullough: Painting with Words (Crave)
The first two especially gave me huge insights into my own writing. They are certainly not "instructive" in the traditional sense, but seeing how they lived and worked and hearing how they thought, I saw a lot of my writerly self in there, too.
In any case, all four are also very well done, which is a huge bonus when it comes to bio-pics.
I'm off to find "The Capote Tapes" now!
Excellent additions, Graham. I've seen the Didion doc and loved it, too. I will definitely check out the Nora Ephron one along with the others. McCullough is a master.