Paul Burger on How Early Days Studios Creates & Funds Cinematic Docs

October 27, 2026

Paul Burger, an Emmy-winning documentary producer and the founder of Early Days Studios, joins host Michael Azevedo on this episode.

Paul shares with Michael how Early Days was created to build premium nonfiction for a changing media landscape. 

After 25 years of producing cinematic non-fiction for the world’s leading networks and streamers, Paul started Early Days to develop stories that seamlessly travel across digital, series, and feature distribution.
 
The production studio is able to fund its work by having brands finance production while Early Days retains full ownership of the films, and everything is released on YouTube channels they own.
 
Take a listen and learn more about this innovative approach. 
 

Making Media Now—which is available on all podcast platforms including YouTube–is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.

 
About the host: http://www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/

 
Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead