Show notes
This one is pure gold! Join Ben on a solo walk with the legendary Maureen Gosling—a prolific documentary editor and director, and a longtime collaborator of Les Blank. Dig into the makings-of iconic films like SPROUT WINGS AND FLY, GAP-TOOTHED WOMEN and BURDEN OF DREAMS, and explore Maureen's latest work, THE NINE LIVES OF BARBARA DANE. We dive deep into the fascinating twists and turns of Maureen's career and her seamless transition from editor to director. Maureen inspires as she lays out the unique nature of her collaborative process—and there are ideas in here that we can all learn from. Don't miss this golden stroll through documentary history with someone who’s lived it. Discussion links: THE BLUES ACCORDIN' TO LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS (1968) SPEND IT ALL (1971) DRY WOOD (1973) HOT PEPPER (1973) A POEM IS A NAKED PERSON (1974) CHULAS FRONTERAS (1976) DEL MERO CORAZÓN (1979) BURDEN OF DREAMS (1982) SPROUT WINGS AND FLY (1983) IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER? (1984) GAP-TOOTHED WOMEN (1987) BLOSSOMS OF FIRE (2000) WAITING TO INHALE (2005) THE NINE LIVES OF BARBARA DANE (2023) 00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement 01:05 Maureen Gosling's New Film 02:26 Les Blank: A Legendary Collaborator 05:25 Early Career and First Projects 11:15 Filmmaking Philosophy and Techniques 16:26 Transition to Directing 24:19 Challenges and Collaborations 26:31 The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane 27:08 Chris's Annual Parties and Barbara Dane's Musical Influence 27:50 Discovering Barbara Dane's Legacy 28:59 Filming Barbara Dane's Last Concert 30:24 Barbara Dane's Son and His Life in Cuba 32:25 Raising Funds and Continuing the Documentary 36:38 Barbara Dane's Impact and Final Years 39:31 Maureen's Reflections on Her Career 44:14 The Importance of Documentaries 47:40 Upcoming Screenings and Live Music Events 49:13 Maureen's Time in Austin and Final Thoughts