The Making Of A True Crime Documentary

The journey to create a true-crime documentary is a lot like detective work. It requires a lot of digging and a bit of luck. The director is at a point where ideas come to them from various sources. Sometimes, people pitch ideas. Other times, the director and their team are on the hunt for stories that grab their attention. They have a trusted colleague who helps with research. The director has a soft spot for L. A. noir stories. They love the classic films and have always wanted to create a documentary in that style. During a deep dive in December 2020, while editing other projects, they stumbled upon old L. A. Times articles about a particular story. The director was immediately hooked and saw the potential for a compelling documentary. However, they knew that to make it authentic, they needed to interview a key figure, David Sconce. Getting the interview wasn't easy. David Sconce was in prison, and the pandemic made it even harder. California's rules didn't allow for inmate-specific interview requests. The director knew they needed Sconce to get out of prison for the interview to happen. They started planning the documentary in late 2021, hoping Sconce's parole hearing would go through. But politics got in the way. The governor rescinded the parole hearing due to an upcoming election. It seemed like the project might not happen. But then, things took a turn. The director was driving when their producing partner called with good news. Sconce had been granted parole and would be released in the next 48 hours. The team had to act fast. They mobilized the crew, arranged travel, and got the necessary equipment. The next morning, they were ready and waiting at the prison. They saw Sconce come out, and he immediately started talking about the mortuary and cremations, even before they asked any questions. The director knew then that the next few days would be intense. The process of making a true-crime documentary is full of challenges. It requires patience, persistence, and a bit of luck. The director's passion for the story and their determination to make it authentic drove the project forward. They had to navigate legal hurdles, political obstacles, and logistical challenges. But in the end, it was all worth it. The story of how this documentary came to be is as compelling as the documentary itself. It shows that sometimes, the journey is just as important as the destination.