Telling Stories Through Film

JMS ep 354 Telling Stories Through Film

“When someone is gone, their stories are gone with them. Capture them while you can.”

Stories connect us, evoke emotion, and build memories that last. Recently, I had a great conversation with Ken Kebow, a documentary filmmaker who understands the power of storytelling like few others do. He knows exactly how to breathe life into stories on film. Ken and I explored what it’s like to capture someone’s stories before they’re lost to time. Much like he did with Disney legend Rolly Crump.

Ken shared how he recorded eight hours with Rolly and still only scratched the surface of his tales. His method? Let the camera roll, ask just enough, and listen deeply. It’s a good reminder for all of us: sometimes the best stories unfold when we give someone the space and silence to share them.

We also dug into Ken’s passion project: a new documentary on the Universal Monsters, timed perfectly with the renewed excitement around them. He opened up about the unexpected twists that happen in filmmaking and how each conversation can reshape the story you thought you were telling.

This episode will make you think about the stories around you and maybe inspire you to capture them before they disappear. Whether you’re holding a camera, a microphone, or just your phone, don’t wait. Sit down with the people you love and hit record. Good storytelling is less about what you ask and more about how well you listen.