(1991) chronicle the near-destruction of careers during chaotic productions, while Side by Side (2012) explores the technical shift from film to digital. Biographical Portraits: These offer intimate looks at industry legends, such as Listen to Me Marlon

What separates a forgettable VH1 special from a definitive ? Three key elements.

To understand the current boom, we must look at history. For decades, "behind-the-scenes" content was a marketing tool. In the 1940s and 50s, studios produced short "making of" reels to sell the magic of Technicolor. These were, essentially, long-form commercials. They showed happy actors, visionary directors, and zero conflict.