The popularity of AMC's "The Walking Dead" aftershow "Talking Dead" -- and specifically of host Chris Hardwick's conversationalist ability to bring out the best in guests -- has moved the network to create a year-round talk franchise. Each hourlong episode features Hardwick talking with a single guest (or series cast) from across the entertainment landscape. The in-depth interviews highlight the host's irreverent, authentic take on pop culture today, and audience interactivity affords fans a fresh destination to celebrate their favorite pop icons.

With his background in Brechtian theater and the material-like, pure poetic style of his documentaries, Thomas Heise has created his very own kind of filmic expression.

The cinematographer and idiosyncratic filmmaker Elfi Mikesch has significantly contributed to the extension of the aesthetic boundaries of the "standard" documentary.

Interview with Peter Nestler about his filmmaking practice conducted and directed by Christoph Hübner

Interview with Jürgen Böttcher about his filmmaking practice conducted and directed by Christoph Hübner

Interview with Volker Koepp about his filmmaking practice conducted and directed by Christoph Hübner

Interview with Klaus Wildenhahn about his filmmaking practice conducted and directed by Christoph Hübner

Despite or perhaps because of his position at the public television channel ZDF, Hans-Dieter Grabe has developed his own unmistakable signature style which falls between journalism and documentary (similar to Klaus Wildenhahn during his time at the TV channel NDR).