Making Manson is a new three-part documentary debuting on November 19th, the 7th anniversary of Charles Manson's death. It will be shown on NBC/Peacock. All three episodes will be released on that date. Each episode is about an hour long. It was produced by Renowned Films.
Making Manson has
been a two-year effort. The program consists of phone conversations between
Charles Manson and John Michael Jones over a 20-year period. Jones initially
pitched the project to Netflix but after a year Peacock showed interest and it
was ultimately picked up by them. Peacock wanted director Billie Mintz to
spearhead the project.
Billie Mintz is an award-winning
documentary filmmaker and journalist among many other activities. His
documentaries include Selena and Yolanda, The Guardians, Portrayal,
and Jesus Town USA. He spent two seasons as a correspondent for
National Geographic's show Explorer.
This is what Mintz had to
say about Making Manson-
"We spent a year
delving into two decades' worth of never-before-heard recordings of Charles
Manson and his closest confidant. Until now, Manson has only been heard through
brief interviews where journalists and prosecutors shaped the narrative without
being questioned or contested. In our series, we bring a fresh perspective to
his story, allowing Manson to present his own version of events. Everything you
knew about Charles Manson is now up for reexamination. Grateful to Renowned
Films and Peacock for entrusting me with these tapes and this story.
In our series "Making
Manson" we present Manson in a way he's never been heard or thought of
before, with an unprecedented level of intimacy that allowed us to interview
contributors like never before. Despite countless interviews for past films
that have shaped the widely accepted narrative of Manson and the murders, this
series breaks new ground, challenging those familiar perspectives."
There were nearly 20 people
interviewed for the series. It was learned that the people being interviewed
listened to recordings of Manson, presumably regarding something he said about
them or an event they were familiar with, and then they were asked to comment
and discuss.
The trailer shows Dianne
Lake, Catherine "Gypsy" Share, Phil Kaufman, and Steven Kay. Another
interviewee was reporter Linda Deutch. Mintz wrote a heartfelt tribute to
Deutch upon learning of her death.
"Linda Deutch stands as
a trailblazer in the world of journalism, particularly known for her
groundbreaking work in covering some of the most notorious and high-profile trials
in American history. She made her mark as one of the first women to break into
the male-dominated field of courtroom reporting. Her career is distinguished by
her coverage of landmark cases, beginning with the infamous Manson Family
trials in the late 1960s, where she became a familiar face in the courtroom and
established herself as a reliable and insightful journalist. Her career
continued with comprehensive reporting on the O.J. Simpson trial, which
captivated the nation and further solidified her reputation as a leading figure
in legal journalism.
Over the decades, Linda
Deutch covered countless other significant trials bringing her sharp analysis
and dep empathy to each story, making her reports resonate with the public. Her
work has left an indelible mark on journalism, and she had been a role model
for many aspiring reporters, particularly women looking to enter the field.
I had the unique privilege
of being the last journalist to interview Linda Deutch, an experience that was
both humbling and inspiring. She was tough as nails and hilarious as well. She
didn't put up with any shit- including mine. I got many eye rolls during the
course of our almost 8-hour interview. She liked me and was impressed by my
ability to cut through the shit- including her own. As we discussed her storied
career and the impact of her work, it was clear that her contributions to
journalism were immeasurable. I can only hope that she is still able to watch
the film, a tribute to her legacy, and she how her pioneering spirit continues
inspire and inform."
Others interviewed include
Family members, victim's survivors, law enforcement, the LA DA's office and
more. Billie Mintz conducts all of the interviews.
Mintz was aided in creating
this film by James Dawson a longtime Manson researcher and friend to John
Michael Jones. Dawson proposed questions for some of those Mintz interviewed
and guided him through the connections of the different people being
interviewed and activities of the Family.
The film will be an
interesting departure from the current offerings by looking at events from a
totally different perspective.
