Episode
Episode 262 | Why Josh Roush Made “Long Lonesome Highway: The Michael Parks Story”
- Podcast
- Documentary First
- Published
- Oct 9, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2720
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://tinyurl.com/DocFirstPod
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Summary
In this episode of Documentary First, filmmaker Josh Roush opens up about his deeply personal journey creating the documentary Long Lonesome Highway, a heartfelt tribute to legendary actor Michael Parks. Josh reflects on his friendship with Parks, the creative decisions behind the film, and the challenges of navigating distribution, budgeting, and fair use of archival footage. The conversation dives into Parks’ multifaceted talent, his artistic integrity, and the lessons learned from a career defined by both triumph and adversity. Together, we explore how passion fuels storytelling, the power of documentaries to preserve legacies, and the importance of resilience in the face of obstacles. This episode is not just about one film—it’s about what it takes to make art that matters. Links: Josh Roush Narrative Film - IMDB Link: Wrong Reasons (2022) - Reference view - IMDb DocuView Déjà Vu Recommendation: Burden of Dreams by Werner Herzog, 1982, 95 mins, Watch on Amazon Prime, IMDB Link: Burden of Dreams (1982) - Reference view - IMDb Timecodes: 00:00 Final Thoughts and Future Endeavors 09:25 Navigating Challenges in Filmmaking 10:20 The Influence of Michael Parks 11:31 Building a Unique Relationship 13:47 The Value of Listening to Elders 14:26 Uncovering Stories from the Past 16:40 The Genesis of a Documentary Idea 18:02 Family Dynamics in Storytelling 18:54 The Kevin Smith Connection 20:58 The Role of Fair Use in Documentary Filmmaking 25:46 The Use of Music and Soundtrack 28:02 Budgeting and Financial Realities of Filmmaking 29:29 Personal Reflections on Filmmaking 34:45 Lessons from Michael Parks' Life 41:02 Legacy and Impact of Michael 42:12 Documentary Recommendations and Insights 43:33 Teaser Video 44:18 Documentary First promo Sponsor: Virgil Films http://www.virgilf…