In our latest episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of documentary filmmaking with John Dorsey, the acclaimed director behind ESPN’s 30 for 30 classics “The Marinovich Project” and “Pony Excess.” From his early days at Propaganda Films alongside legendary directors like David Fincher and Spike Jonze to his work on Johnny Cash’s iconic “Hurt” music video, John shares incredible stories from his remarkable career. We explore the delicate art of documentary storytelling, discussing how he convinced the reclusive Todd Marinovich to participate in his film and navigated challenging interviews with Marv Marinovich. John also offers unique perspective as an SMU alum who witnessed firsthand the aftermath of the football program’s death penalty, providing thoughtful commentary on how college athletics has evolved over the decades. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, sports enthusiast, or simply love great storytelling, this episode offers invaluable insights into the craft of documentary filmmaking and the changing landscape of sports media.

📌 Key Points:

✅ John reveals his journey from aspiring law student to acclaimed filmmaker, crediting his film school experience and mentorship under directors like Barry Levinson
✅ We discuss the meticulous preparation and emotional intelligence required to conduct meaningful documentary interviews
✅ John shares behind-the-scenes details of working on Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” video at the historic House of Cash
✅ We explore his current project on esports, where he’s working to challenge preconceptions about competitive gaming
✅ The conversation covers the evolving landscape of college athletics, comparing past scandals to today’s NIL era

🗒️ About John Dorsey:

John Dorsey is a veteran filmmaker whose career spans multiple decades in both documentary and music video production. He worked at the legendary Propaganda Films alongside directors like David Fincher and Spike Jonze, contributing to iconic projects like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” video. His documentary work includes the acclaimed ESPN 30 for 30 films “The Marinovich Project” and “Pony Excess,” as well as “Glory Hounds,” a powerful documentary about military working dogs in Afghanistan.

🔗 Connect with John Dorsey:

Website | https://ten100tv.com/
IMDB | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1174236/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndorseyten100/

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

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