From HEROIN(E) to KING COAL: Academy Award–Nominated Filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon on Community, Intentional Storytelling, and the Future of Documentary
Show Notes:
Academy Award–nominated, Emmy and Peabody Award–winning filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon joins The Slow Dive for a rich and enlightening conversation about storytelling, community, and care. Known for her acclaimed documentaries HEROIN(E) and RECOVERY BOYS, both streaming on Netflix, and her most recent film KING COAL, now available on Apple TV, Elaine shares her journey into documentary filmmaking and the personal, place-based lens she brings to each project.
We examine the evolving landscape of nonfiction storytelling and the challenges of addressing sensitive topics, such as addiction and mental health, with compassion and nuance. Elaine emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the significance of home, and the responsibility filmmakers carry to slow down and build genuine relationships with their participants. She also reflects on the future of documentary film and how artists can better serve their communities through intentional, human-centered storytelling.
This is a powerful episode for creatives, changemakers, and anyone who believes in the transformative power of a story grounded in empathy, trust, and truth.
https://www.elainemcmillionsheldon.com
https://www.instagram.com/kingcoalfilm/
https://betweenframes.elainemcmillionsheldon.com
Elaine McMillion Sheldon is an Academy Award-nominated, and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker. Sheldon is the director of two Netflix Original Documentaries - HEROIN(E) and RECOVERY BOYS- that explore America's opioid crisis. She has been named a Creative Capital Awardee, a Guggenheim Fellow, a USA Fellow by United States Artists, and one of the "25 New Faces of Independent Film” by Filmmaker Magazine. Her latest film, KING COAL, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
McMillion Sheldon was raised in and lives in West Virginia.
RECOVERY BOYS Director of Photography Curren Sheldon
KING COAL Director of Photography Curren Sheldon
KING COAL Director of Photography Curren Sheldon
KING COAL Director of Photography Curren Sheldon
Takeaways:
Elaine emphasizes that home is more about feeling than geography.
She fell into filmmaking through the necessity of multimedia journalism during the recession.
Her films aim to portray life as it unfolds, rather than presenting scripted narratives.
In a post-documentary world, filmmakers must co-create stories with communities.
Documentaries today face skepticism and require a collaborative approach to their production.
Community engagement is essential for authentic storytelling.
Relapse is a natural part of the recovery process, and filmmakers must approach it with sensitivity.
Filmmakers should slow down and focus on what the story needs, rather than deadlines.
Understanding the audience and their needs is crucial for impactful storytelling.
Being a good community member involves showing up without expecting recognition.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
https://betweenframes.elainemcmillionsheldon.com
https://www.instagram.com/kingcoalfilm/
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Elaine McMillion Sheldon
05:55 The Concept of Home and Personal Discovery
09:55 Journey into Filmmaking and Early Projects
17:01 The Evolution of Documentary Filmmaking
20:56 Community-Centered Storytelling and Its Importance
24:27 Exploring Mental Health and Addiction in Filmmaking
29:32 The Impact of Documentary Films on Participants
33:13 Intentional Practices in Documentary Filmmaking
39:47 Personal Growth Through Filmmaking
46:35 The Future of Documentary Filmmaking
49:50 Being Better Community Members
