Song Sung Blue dramatizes the extraordinary real-life story of Mike and Claire Sardina. In the late ‘80s, while forming the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning and Thunder, the two fell in love and married. Following the couple through hard times and stage successes, the film chronicles how they never let go of their love for each other or for Neil Diamond.
From Documentary to Drama: Why Song Sung Blue Succeeds Read More »
The series uses the Nuremberg Trials as its narrative framework and follows the surviving Nazi leaders brought before the court in 1945 and 1946. Men like Hermann Göring, Rudolf Hess, and Joachim von Ribbentrop, along with military commanders and administrators, all pleaded “not guilty.” Using the trials as its theme, the documentary explores the history that led to them. The series is well-made and factual. Historians provide context for the events. It is informative and worth watching.
Nuremberg Trials: Lessons from ‘Hitler and the Nazis’ Netflix Series Read More »
Three Historical Docudramas
Abraham Lincoln (2022): A three-part biographical documentary miniseries exploring his frontier childhood, his leadership of the military during the Civil War, and his legacy.
Grant (2020) is a three-part historical documentary miniseries that originally aired on the History Channel. The series is based on Ron Chernow’s bestselling biography, which chronicles the life of Ulysses S. Grant, from his rise from obscurity to leadership in the Civil War to his tenure as the 18th President.
The series blends dramatic reenactments featuring actor Justin Salinger with expert commentary from historians and authors. You can watch the miniseries and the other films directly on Netflix.
Thomas Jefferson (2025 Series): A 6-episode series from the History Channel that explores the Founding Father’s legacy, spanning his early life, presidency, and retirement. This insightful docudrama brings to light the complexities of colonial life and slavery, and how Jefferson and others lived with these issues.
Jefferson, Lincoln, and Grant Read More »
“This book shifts attention from how documentaries are made to how they are read, interpreted, and understood.”
Exploring Documentary Storytelling and Its Impact Read More »
Buena Vista Social Club (1999) Oscar Nominee, directed by Wim Wenders and Ulrich Felsberg. 105 minutes.A Cinematic Portrait of Cuban Music – Buena Vista Social Club stands as a cinematic tribute to Cuba’s musical heritage, vividly portrayed through the performances and personal stories of its people. Afro-Cuban Jazz The Buena Vista Social Club documentary masterfully
Cuban Heritage in Buena Vista Social Club Documentary Read More »
Today, the same persuasive techniques condense into seconds on TikTok, X, and YouTube: jump cuts, captions, and AI voiceovers replace the documentary’s narration. A swipe now achieves what once required a production budget and television airtime, turning reputational battles into an interactive game. Both “Stolen Honor” and today’s viral “call-out” videos rely on the same emotional structure—an accusation framed as a revelation. In “Stolen Honor,” serious interviews and a steady documentary pace establish credibility; online, quick edits, dramatic soundtracks, and on-screen text emphasize urgency and moral certainty to achieve the same effect. The scale and authorship differ: the earlier film depended on coordinated distribution and broadcast authority, while today’s creators generate similar reputational harm through repetition, remixing, and algorithmic boost.
Modern Propaganda: From Documentaries to TikTok Read More »
“A dictator can manipulate government administration through orders and technology by turning routine bureaucratic tasks and tools into instruments of control, suppression, and self-preservation. Here’s how you might accomplish this using technology.” – Chapter 10
Dictatorship 101- Authoritarian Leadership Skills for Beginners Read More »
Ron Howard’s documentary “Eight Days A Week” explores the Beatles’ origins and rise to fame, showcasing their dynamic performances and the emotional reactions of their fans. Featuring archival footage and contemporary interviews with band members, the film emphasizes their passion for music and the pivotal roles of their manager and producer. A compelling tribute to the band’s legacy.
Eight Days A Week -The Beatles – The Touring Years. Read More »
James R. Martin explores the distinct nature of documentary storytelling, highlighting its subjective essence compared to objective journalism. He shares insights from directing his documentary “Studio A – Profile of A Disc Jockey,” emphasizing the director’s vision and the evolution of stories through editing. Documentaries capture real-life perspectives without recreations.
Documentary Directing and Nonfiction Storytelling. Read More »
This is a new site for Real Deal Press Books. We are still constructing certain pages, so pardon our dust. This website should allow you to purchase our print books directly from Real Deal Press. We are working on making digital copies of books available. For now all digital versions of our books are available
Welcome to J R Martin Media – Real Deal Press! Read More »
