Apparently there isn't much money in documentary films these days — except when they are about serial killers.
Small, independent, documentary film makers have found that they can practice the documentary genre AND make a little money, by focusing on serial killers.
"America as a whole is utterly fascinated with serial killers," says Julian P. Hobbs, director of Collectors, a documentary film about two guys more-or-less obsessed with serial killers. Read more here.
That understanding of the market demand is partly what's driving all the film attention being given to serial killer Aileen Wuornos, who was executed in 2002.
A just-released Hollywood studio film "Monster" about Wuornos stars Charlize Theron.
And there are not just one, but two documentary films based on Wuornos' life, both by director Nick Broomfield: "Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1994)" and "Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2004)."
For backstory and interviews, listen to the audio report on NPR here.
NOTE: This post was adapted from one appearing on the author's weblog, Small Business Trends.
Article comments
1 - Steve Rhodes
Well, lately documentaries have been doing relatively well. At least making more money than usual.
We'll see in less than a month which ones are nominated for Oscars and there will also be a whole new crop at Sundance (many of those are made for television - though some will get attention and possibly a theatrical release).
2 - John Lars Ericson
Documentaries have, in the past year, penetrated the mainstream (or - at least the mainstream film) consciousness. Michael Moore's insanely-popular "Bowling for Columbine" might be the best example of this - but look at the likes of 2003's fine documentary offerings:
-My Flesh & Blood
-Stevie
-Capturing the Friedmans
-To Be and to Have
-The Fog of War
-Bus 174
-Love & Diane
-Stone Reader
-Winged Migration
-Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working With Time
-My Architect
And so on, and so forth. Hopefully this will be a continuing trend for many, many years to come.
3 - Anita Campbell
I hope that even more documentaries reach mainstream audiences. Especially on more upbeat subjects than serial killers. I really enjoy documentaries, but don't hear about many of them. Where does the average Joe or Josette find out about and view documentaries?
4 - John Lars Ericson
You can visited Rottentomatoes.com or Metacritic.com - which will give you an idea of critically-acclaimed documentaries.
One I would reccommend, if you want something upbeat, is this past year's "Spellbound" (which may not be out on DVD quite yet - look for it). It's a surprisingly amusing and sometimes thrilling documentary on spelling bees.
5 - Edward Willis
I just saw Ziad Hamzeh's documentary feature "The Letter" at the Pan-African Film Festival here in LA, and I'm still so emotionally wrapped up in it I can't believe it. It's absolutely stunning. I just heard it's nominated for Best Documentary at the PAFF. If I had a vote, I'd give it the win. What an outstanding doc!! I've supplied the film's website addy. Check it out.
6 - Fanos
Nice!