In Proximity INSIDE PROXIMITY: Meet (and Learn from!) our Nonfiction Team
Mar 23, 2026
Kelli Dunson Buchanan, Head of Proximity’s Nonfiction team who produces investigative and historical documentaries, and Gaby Arvizu, Creative Executive who develops and supports nonfiction filmmakers. They talk day-to-day development and production, choosing and ethically documenting subjects, editing huge amounts of footage, finding new talent, and practical tips for first-time filmmakers.
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Manage Multiple Projects With Reverse Engineering
- Prioritize by immediate needs, reverse-engineer goals, and divide-and-conquer within a small team.
- Kelli describes weekly check-ins, path-of-least-resistance planning, and complementary roles between her and Gaby.
Choose Subjects Based On Access And Perspective
- Prioritize projects with real access and a filmmaker who can create intimacy.
- Kelli and Gaby choose subjects (e.g., Steph Curry, Hurricane Katrina) based on whether access reveals fresh, character-driven perspectives audiences haven't seen.
Reframing Katrina With New Archive And Survivors
- Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time approached a well-covered event with unseen archive and survivor-driven access.
- Kelli cites Traci Curry's ability to find survivors with vivid memories to reframe Katrina's human and systemic failures.