Deacs & Docs

It's time to put Trey on the hot seat! Thomas takes off his producer hat and puts on the hosting fedora as he interviews Trey and his thesis partner, Oliver Rouch, about their thesis film "Dream Jobbers." The film follows male and female professional wrestlers as they navigate the independent circuit in North Carolina. Trey and Oliver talk about some of the unexpected challenges about filming a non social justice issue film, while also taking the time to flex their (very small) muscles about other films featuring professional wrestlers. Hosted by THIRD-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy (but sometimes only Thomas), "Deacs & Docs" is the official #WFUDFPPC.

We have two very special guests in the studio for our fourth episode of Semester 2! Documentary Film Program Director Cara Pilson makes her debut alongside DFP alum, Diane Hodson. In addition to her award-winning thesis film, "unmappable," Diane has worked on several podcasts, including "Missing Richard Simmons." We chat with her about her work, while giving Cara a ripe opportunity to engage in one of her favorite conversations: ethics in non-fiction storytelling. Hosted by THIRD-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official #WFUDFPPC.

Meg Daniels and Manie Robinson swing by the studio to gives us an update on their thesis film, "Proper Pronouns." The film follows four transgender ministers in the state of North Carolina as they grapple with deep-rooted resentment while leading their congregations. We also eulogize the 2018 Chicago Cubs (sorry, Peter), while Manie makes Trey remember the time the Saints beat the Vikings in the 2009 NFC Championship (like, get over it, dude.) And we put our guests and listeners to the test to see if they can determine which towns belong to North or South Carolina. Hosted by THIRD-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official #WFUDFPPC.

Thomas is pulling double duty for our second episode of Semester 2! Thomas reunites with his thesis partner when Brad(ley) Dillard returns to the studio. The two chat about the process of making their film "Conservatory" which follows four African-American students as they go through their senior year at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Brad chats about the opportunity to represent the DFP at the New Orleans Film Festival Pitch Competition, while Thomas deftly manages to wear countless hats. And the two show off a rather impressive knowledge of the differences between "Rent" and "Fame." Hosted by THIRD-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official #WFUDFPPC.

You may have thought we were cancelled, but Deacs & Docs is back with a vengeance! The Semester 2 premiere features faculty members Chris Zaluski, Peter Gilbert, and Sandra Dicskon talking about their upcoming short "Five Minutes," an animated piece detailing the ways regenerative medicine is used by the military. We- well most of us (ahem, Thomas) talk about the best doc we saw over the summer before testing our intrepid faculty on just how well they know their students in the debut of "Thomas or Trey." Hosted by THIRD-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official #WFUDFPPC.

It's the Semester 1 Finale and time for the Inaugural DFP Derby: Only the Fastest Survives! Before you completely unplug for the summer, unwind with students, faculty, and staff from the DFP as we crown a champion in our single-elimination head-to-head Hot Wheels Race! Deacs & Docs hosts Trey Kalny & Thomas Espy are live(-ish) and bring you all the action from track-side. And several former & future guests participate as racers, guest commentators, and trackline reporters! While the main drama is the tournament, several subplots emerge: will fan-favorite Cara Pilson drive off into the sunset as champion? Will the international students use their superior knowledge of engineering to leave the American students in the dust? Will a rivalry between Thomas & Trey lead to a break-up between our intrepid hosts? And most importantly, who will win the trophy? It's an atypical episode but your only chance this semester (and maybe ever) to hear Acobe Cheek in the studio!

In the penultimate (look it up) episode of Semester 1, the first M.A. filmmaking team to successfully defend their thesis visits "Deacs & Docs" as Colin Sylvester and Myles Harris stop by the studio to discuss their film "Qualified." The film charts the arduous journey of two golfers- one of whom is Colin's brother- hoping to make it onto the PGA's minor league circuit. The guys talk about the importance of asking the tough questions when making a documentary- especially when the participants are family. We also talk about Netflix's first-ever original documentary "The Short Game" and quiz Colin & Myles about literal birdies. Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official WFUDFPPC.

We have a trailblazer in the studio for our seventh episode! Milik Robinson is the first person to graduate with an M.A. from the DFP as he successfully defended his thesis film, "Challenging the Call." The film is a personal essay as Milik goes on a quest to determine what actually qualifies as "sport." He visits a chess tournament and shows off some of his dancing skills and makes argues that he's just as athletic as any athlete out there. We also talk about the documentary "Serena" which follows Serena Williams during her quest for the Calendar Grand Slam in 2015. And Milik isn't just a talented filmmaker. He just received another award, but you'll have to listen to the episode to find out just what it was. Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official WFUDFPPC.

As a treat to all our listeners at the end of the semester, we're giving you four episodes for the (free) price of one! It's our First Year Carousel where we talk with all the first-year student- except for the dastardly Luke Gloeckner and Brian McLawhorn who were on a shoot- filmmakers about their end-of-year films. Dustin Foote and Bridget Fitzgerald talk about their film "32°" which details the effects of climate change on the Appalachian skiing industry. Ryan Howard (not, that one) and Tyler Marick share some insight on Wiccan paganism in "The Broom Closet." Mickey Becker tells the story of the struggles to maintain a neglected African-American cemetery in "One Plot at a Time." Finally, Ed Foster details the out-of-this-world history of the Venus Flytrap- which is indigenous only to NC- in "Stanley's Garden." Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official WFUDFPPC.

We continue the international flavor on "Deacs & Docs" when third-year MFA student Hao Zhang stops by the studio to discuss his film "Give Me a Faith." The film follows Chinese students coming to school in America as they are confronted with the choice to assimilate into the culture and become Christians. And Hao brought a special guest with him. His thesis advisor, Peter Gilbert (yes, that Peter Gilbert!) talks about his seminal "Hoop Dreams" while we give him the synopses for other films he could make. Then we make our NBA Playoff picks. Spoiler alert: nobody picked the Dallas Mavericks. Womp, Womp. Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official WFUDFPPC.

Deacs & Docs breaks new ground as we have our first international and female student team on the show! Third-year MFA students Jill Li and Xiao Xiao dish on the process of making their film, "Farewell, My Peking Opera" (title pending) about a former Beijing Opera star struggling to adapt to life in the United States. We also discuss authentic Chinese food through the lens of the film "The Search for General Tso" and learn about secret menus. Then we put Jill and Xiao to the test with "Opera Or Not," a game where they are given a synopsis and asked to identify whether it describes an actual opera or something else. Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official WFUDFPPC.

We're wrapped up in nostalgia for episode three when third-year MFA student Chris Hudson swings by to talk about his thesis film "The Mayberry Effect." The film tells the story of the cultural impact of "The Andy Griffith Show" by following tribute artists who tour the country impersonating the program's iconic characters. We share some laughs about "Too Funny to Fail," the documentary that traces the failure of "The Dana Carvey Show." And we avoid any sort of copyright infringement as Trey tone-deafly hums tv theme shows. Finally, in a textbook example of burying the lead, Chris also talks about the time he was nominated for a freaking Emmy! Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official WFUDFPPC.

On episode two, second-year MFA filmmakers Brad(ley) Dillard and Nick Deel stop by to share exciting news about their first-year film, "Regrowth." The film tells the story of two Iraq War veterans who started Purple Heart Homes which builds new homes for veterans and servicemen and -women. We also discover that Nick is a public television celebrity in his hometown, and we put our pitch skills to the test as we tell you which team will win the NCAA tournament! Tom Green, if you're listening, please subscribe to the Podcast! Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy, "Deacs & Docs" is the official WFUDFPPC.

It's the first episode of Deacs & Docs, the official Wake Forest University Documentary Film Program Podcast (WFUDFPPC)! Hosted by second-year MFA students Trey Kalny and Thomas Espy this podcast brings you the perspectives of documentary students as they make their films. On this episode, third-year MFA students Stan Wright and Dom Silva discuss the process of creating their thesis film, "Original Body of Pain," a film that details two families struggling with the trauma of opioid addiction in Asheville, NC. We talk about the ethical challenges in making such a film, relive some of their most memorable moments, and congratulate them on recently receiving some grant money. We also talk about the Oscar-nominated short "Heroin(e)," play some famous-firsts trivia, and recommend the best in culture! And keep your ears peeled for a "Teen Mom" cameo!