Interview with Bill Nichols by Tomás Crowder-Taraborrelli

Bill Nichols is one of the most influential historians and theorists of documentary film.                                                        
He is widely cited in articles across the world. Some of his most important works are: Ideology and the image: social representation in the cinema and other media (Bloomington Indiana University Press, 1981), Representing Reality: Issues and Concepts in Documentary (Indiana University Press, 1991), Blurred Boundaries (Indiana University Press, 1994) and Introduction to Documentary (Indiana University Press, 2001). He teaches film at San Francisco State University. His enthusiasm for documentary film comes through even in casual conversations and especially during this interview in Tijuana, in the first week of BorDocs, the documentary film forum. http://bordocs.com/?lang=en. A few minutes before the interview, Mr. Nichols had given a two-hour master class on the ethical challenges of documentary filmmakers. 

*This interview appears courtesy of Revista Cine Documental:
http://revista.cinedocumental.com.ar/5/teoria_01.html

Transcribed by January J. Coleman-Jones and Jake Nevrla

Al Satterwhite: Mel Brooks, 20th Century Fox Studio, Hollywood, CA, 1979

I photographed Mel in 1979 in his office for a People magazine story; he was incredibly funny, always 'on' - in a good way. As the writer asked him questions, Mel kept interrupting with one funny story after another. He had my assistant and me rolling on the floor gasping for air.

Mel Brooks, 20th Century Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. May 1979. 
Photograph © 2013 Al Satterwhite. All rights reserved. No usage whatsoever without written permission - No Exceptions. 

This shot above is my favorite photo I took of Mel.  Back in the days of manual photography, I used to be obsessed with focus; everything had to be 'sharp'. Now it's my favorite photo because it captures his energy - and boy, did he have a lot of energy!

Mel Brooks, 20th Century Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. May 1979. 
Photograph © 2013 Al Satterwhite. All rights reserved. No usage whatsoever without written permission - No Exceptions. 

Although 'History of the World, Part I' wasn't in the People magazine story line, you can see mock-ups in the background that Mel obviously was working on.

Mel Brooks, 20th Century Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. May 1979. 
Photograph © 2013 Al Satterwhite. All rights reserved. No usage whatsoever without written permission - No Exceptions. 

'History of the World, Part I' came out in 1981, written, produced, directed, and starring Mel in five roles! Talk about energy; all you have to do is watch that film to see what I mean.

Mel Brooks, 20th Century Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. May 1979. 
Photograph © 2013 Al Satterwhite. All rights reserved. No usage whatsoever without written permission - No Exceptions. 

When we were finished with the interview & photoshoot, Mel escorted us to the elevator, still telling us funny stories; we almost didn't leave.

Mel Brooks, 20th Century Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. May 1979. 
Photograph © 2013 Al Satterwhite. All rights reserved. No usage whatsoever without written permission - No Exceptions. 

What a wit! One of the nicest celebrities you could hope to meet. A real human being.

Mel Brooks, 20th Century Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. May 1979. 
Photograph © 2013 Al Satterwhite. All rights reserved. No usage whatsoever without written permission - No Exceptions. 

~Al Satterwhite, February 6, 2013

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