AJ Schnack
@ajschnack.bsky.social
Nonfiction Filmmaker (Escalation, Long Gone Summer, Speaking is Difficult, Caucus, Kurt Cobain About a Son, Gigantic, Majority Rules, more). Team Cinema Eye Honors.
I didn’t see the movie version of Dear Evan Hansen, but I can only imagine that the discourse around Ben Platt playing a high school kid in that movie is pretty much how I’m feeling about watching the new season of Stranger Things.
November 27, 2025 at 3:40 AM
I didn’t see the movie version of Dear Evan Hansen, but I can only imagine that the discourse around Ben Platt playing a high school kid in that movie is pretty much how I’m feeling about watching the new season of Stranger Things.
Documentaries thrive because viewers know/believe they present the truth. There have been a lot of alarm bells within the documentary world about how AI threatens that at its core. Good piece here from @alissawilkinson.bsky.social getting at the core of the issue.
As basically anyone who’s talked to me since the summer knows, I’ve been working on this for months. Thanks to everyone who shared their insights. (I’ve got a lot more to say in the future, too.)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/m...
Can You Believe the Documentary You’re Watching?
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Documentaries thrive because viewers know/believe they present the truth. There have been a lot of alarm bells within the documentary world about how AI threatens that at its core. Good piece here from @alissawilkinson.bsky.social getting at the core of the issue.
Reposted by AJ Schnack
This week, documentarians Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman discuss The Alabama Solution, a searing exposé made possible by the immense courage of inmates using contraband cellphones.
And @lucasshaw.bsky.social and I banter (what else?) the fate of Warners.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
And @lucasshaw.bsky.social and I banter (what else?) the fate of Warners.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
‘The Alabama Solution’ filmmakers on exposing America’s prison crisis
Podcast Episode · The Business · 11/07/2025 · 30m
podcasts.apple.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
This week, documentarians Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman discuss The Alabama Solution, a searing exposé made possible by the immense courage of inmates using contraband cellphones.
And @lucasshaw.bsky.social and I banter (what else?) the fate of Warners.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
And @lucasshaw.bsky.social and I banter (what else?) the fate of Warners.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
This is a crucial thread from @awalkerinla.bsky.social incorporating reporting by @shoton35mm.bsky.social and commentary by @adamrose.bsky.social about the LAPD’s hideous overreach on the night the Dodgers won the World Series.
Of course @lataco.bsky.social @shoton35mm.bsky.social has the definitive account of what unfolded before and after Saturday’s victory — which illustrates over and over again how LA is completely unprepared to handle celebrating fans
Bartenders and Innocent Bystanders Tear Gassed, Knocked Over By Horses, And Shot With ‘Rubber Bullets’ During World Series Night Celebrations ~ L.A. TACO
One man who was walking to Gold Room bar had to get surgery on his finger after being shot with a “rubber bullet.” “He was just running away and they got him in the leg and shot the top of his finger ...
lataco.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:56 PM
This is a crucial thread from @awalkerinla.bsky.social incorporating reporting by @shoton35mm.bsky.social and commentary by @adamrose.bsky.social about the LAPD’s hideous overreach on the night the Dodgers won the World Series.
Reposted by AJ Schnack
“Now the city attorney says in a leaked memo the real problem is that ‘anyone can claim they are a Journalist.’ Fine. Maybe those anyones shouldn’t get shot in the head, either.”
Perfect editorial. No notes.
Perfect editorial. No notes.
Los Angeles city attorney to press: drop dead
Why does the city attorney hate the press so much she literally wants ink-stained wretches — and their contemporary multi-media cousins — shot by the police?
www.dailynews.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:50 AM
“Now the city attorney says in a leaked memo the real problem is that ‘anyone can claim they are a Journalist.’ Fine. Maybe those anyones shouldn’t get shot in the head, either.”
Perfect editorial. No notes.
Perfect editorial. No notes.
Reposted by AJ Schnack
Cops going aggro on Sunset near Echo Park in LA after the Dodgers Win. Shooting people with less lethals from point blank range, horses running people and press down. Literally minutes before, fireworks in the street
November 2, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Cops going aggro on Sunset near Echo Park in LA after the Dodgers Win. Shooting people with less lethals from point blank range, horses running people and press down. Literally minutes before, fireworks in the street
Reposted by AJ Schnack
100 days until pitchers and catchers report.
November 2, 2025 at 4:19 AM
100 days until pitchers and catchers report.
Baseball remains undefeated.
November 2, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Baseball remains undefeated.
This is absolutely insane behavior by the LAPD.
Los Angeles, CA -
LAPD once again calling unlawful assembly outside of the Douglas bar as fans are watching the dodger game via laptop and radio the bar turned the tv off. About 30 minutes ago, they called it for the first time and said 5 minutes. Now giving 20 minutes to disperse. Top of the 10th.
LAPD once again calling unlawful assembly outside of the Douglas bar as fans are watching the dodger game via laptop and radio the bar turned the tv off. About 30 minutes ago, they called it for the first time and said 5 minutes. Now giving 20 minutes to disperse. Top of the 10th.
November 2, 2025 at 4:04 AM
This is absolutely insane behavior by the LAPD.
Kiké Hernández is a @dodgers.com legend. What a play to end game 6.
November 1, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Kiké Hernández is a @dodgers.com legend. What a play to end game 6.
Portland, Oregon is one of my favorite US cities. It is safe and beautiful and filled with amazing people. Loved being there last month and taking long walks all about.
September 27, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Portland, Oregon is one of my favorite US cities. It is safe and beautiful and filled with amazing people. Loved being there last month and taking long walks all about.
Reposted by AJ Schnack
I was in the courtroom when a DHS lawyer tried to argue that filming ICE equals encouraging incitement of violence.
A) Press didn't do that.
B) He denied DHS did things we caught on video. Which ... proves why press needs to film police/ICE/DHS.
Thanks for making our point for us, DHS lawyer!
A) Press didn't do that.
B) He denied DHS did things we caught on video. Which ... proves why press needs to film police/ICE/DHS.
Thanks for making our point for us, DHS lawyer!
It was bad enough when government officials claimed that journalists incite violence by reporting. But now, they’re accusing reporters of actually committing violence.
The supposed violence by reporters? Recording videos.
The supposed violence by reporters? Recording videos.
Recording police is ‘violence’? Absolutely not.
Now the Trump administration is trying to destroy the right to document police by labeling it as an attack
freedom.press
September 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I was in the courtroom when a DHS lawyer tried to argue that filming ICE equals encouraging incitement of violence.
A) Press didn't do that.
B) He denied DHS did things we caught on video. Which ... proves why press needs to film police/ICE/DHS.
Thanks for making our point for us, DHS lawyer!
A) Press didn't do that.
B) He denied DHS did things we caught on video. Which ... proves why press needs to film police/ICE/DHS.
Thanks for making our point for us, DHS lawyer!
Reposted by AJ Schnack
It was bad enough when government officials claimed that journalists incite violence by reporting. But now, they’re accusing reporters of actually committing violence.
The supposed violence by reporters? Recording videos.
The supposed violence by reporters? Recording videos.
Recording police is ‘violence’? Absolutely not.
Now the Trump administration is trying to destroy the right to document police by labeling it as an attack
freedom.press
September 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
It was bad enough when government officials claimed that journalists incite violence by reporting. But now, they’re accusing reporters of actually committing violence.
The supposed violence by reporters? Recording videos.
The supposed violence by reporters? Recording videos.
California skies were really putting on a show tonight.
September 2, 2025 at 4:05 AM
California skies were really putting on a show tonight.
I’ll assume the person who runs the @democracynow.org social account doesn’t know…
…that “and others” are Academy Award winning filmmakers Ezra Edelman and Marshall Curry.
…that “and others” are Academy Award winning filmmakers Ezra Edelman and Marshall Curry.
August 30, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I’ll assume the person who runs the @democracynow.org social account doesn’t know…
…that “and others” are Academy Award winning filmmakers Ezra Edelman and Marshall Curry.
…that “and others” are Academy Award winning filmmakers Ezra Edelman and Marshall Curry.
I’ll assume the person who runs the @democracynow.org social account doesn’t know…
…that Steal This Story, Please actually premiered at @dcdoxfest.bsky.social as the Opening Night film back in June.
…that Steal This Story, Please actually premiered at @dcdoxfest.bsky.social as the Opening Night film back in June.
Join Amy Goodman for the premiere of a new documentary about Democracy Now! this Sunday at the #TellurideFilmFestival
“Steal This Story, Please!”: Documentary on Democracy Now! Premieres at Telluride Film Festival
A new documentary, Steal This Story, Please!, which tells the personal story of Amy Goodman and her decadeslong career as an independent journalist, is premiering this Sunday at the Telluride Film Fes...
www.democracynow.org
August 30, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I’ll assume the person who runs the @democracynow.org social account doesn’t know…
…that Steal This Story, Please actually premiered at @dcdoxfest.bsky.social as the Opening Night film back in June.
…that Steal This Story, Please actually premiered at @dcdoxfest.bsky.social as the Opening Night film back in June.
Not sure how I got on this woman’s email list to “stop Mamdani”, but they are really barking up the wrong tree.
August 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Not sure how I got on this woman’s email list to “stop Mamdani”, but they are really barking up the wrong tree.
Reposted by AJ Schnack
É Tudo Verdade/It’s All True - International Documentary Film Festival is open for film submissions to its 31st edition (São Paulo and Rio, Brazil, April 9th to 19th, 2026)! Deadline: November 30th. Regulations and submissions at www.etudoverdade.com.br or www.itsalltrue.com.br.
August 26, 2025 at 8:26 PM
É Tudo Verdade/It’s All True - International Documentary Film Festival is open for film submissions to its 31st edition (São Paulo and Rio, Brazil, April 9th to 19th, 2026)! Deadline: November 30th. Regulations and submissions at www.etudoverdade.com.br or www.itsalltrue.com.br.
Tonight, in the second largest city in America, I had dinner outside for several hours, and then, after 10pm, I went for a mile+ walk by myself. I didn’t see a single police officer nor a single thing that caused a moment of concern or fear. This is life in urban America in 2025.
August 22, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Tonight, in the second largest city in America, I had dinner outside for several hours, and then, after 10pm, I went for a mile+ walk by myself. I didn’t see a single police officer nor a single thing that caused a moment of concern or fear. This is life in urban America in 2025.
Wild and bad that Spike Lee’s Colin Kaepernick won’t be released, particularly after Ezra Edelman’s Prince epic was shelved.
Exclusive: Director Spike Lee's documentary series for ESPN Films about former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who sparked a national debate when he protested racial injustice nearly a decade ago, will not be released, the filmmaker and ESPN said reut.rs/45pGxkg
Exclusive: ESPN will not air Spike Lee's docuseries on Colin Kaepernick, citing 'creative differences'
The former NFL quarterback ignited a national debate in 2016 when he knelt during the national anthem to protest racism and police brutality.
reut.rs
August 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Wild and bad that Spike Lee’s Colin Kaepernick won’t be released, particularly after Ezra Edelman’s Prince epic was shelved.
One of my absolute favorite clips we licensed for Gigantic. The Carson folks were so easy to deal with. We tried to get some of their early Late Night with David Letterman peformances (including their network tv debut), but those were impossible to get (at the time).
This is amazing: From April 1990, four months after FLOOD was released, here’s @tmbg.bsky.social performing on The Tonight Show with guest host Jay Leno. They do BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL and ISTANBUL (NOT CONSTANTINOPLE), and yes, Doc and the orchestra play along. Inceedible. youtu.be/2AQ9nSbWJHI?...
They Might Be Giants on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - stereo
YouTube video by miscellaneous publication #15
youtu.be
August 16, 2025 at 6:21 PM
One of my absolute favorite clips we licensed for Gigantic. The Carson folks were so easy to deal with. We tried to get some of their early Late Night with David Letterman peformances (including their network tv debut), but those were impossible to get (at the time).
For my money, @patmullen.bsky.social is one of the very best writers about the documentary “trade” today and this is an insightful account of what has been unfolding re: #TIFF50 and its invitation/un-invitation of The Road Between Us.
Barry Avrich's documentary The Road Between Us reportedly has its acceptance to the Toronto International Film Festival overturned. #TIFF50 povmagazine.com/barry-avrich...
Barry Avrich's Doc The Road Between Us Reportedly Has TIFF Acceptance Reversed - POV Magazine
Barry Avrich's documentary The Road Between Us reportedly has its acceptance to the Toronto International Film Festival overturned.
povmagazine.com
August 14, 2025 at 3:39 AM
For my money, @patmullen.bsky.social is one of the very best writers about the documentary “trade” today and this is an insightful account of what has been unfolding re: #TIFF50 and its invitation/un-invitation of The Road Between Us.
It’s gonna get messy in Arlington Heights.
July 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It’s gonna get messy in Arlington Heights.