The Challenge

With limited access to key figures like Marcia Clark or O.J. Simpson himself, and relying on personal recollections from interviewees, the production needed to immerse viewers entirely in the 1990s media storm. Traditional talking-head approaches would dilute the urgency—so archival footage had to become the primary narrative driver.

Our Approach

Archival-Driven Narrative:
We mapped each interviewee’s memories— from hearing the news of the murders to the iconic Bronco chase—directly to contemporaneous footage, ensuring viewers experienced events as participants did.

Structural Integration:
Over 90% of the series comprises archival materials. We built the pacing and episode structure around these assets, allowing the story to unfold through authentic news reels, courtroom clips, and media montages rather than modern commentary.

Unearthing Fresh Perspectives:
To showcase the media’s role as a character, we sourced reporter voices spanning local Midwestern stations, Los Angeles outlets, national figures like Larry King and Oprah, and international coverage—revealing how varied reporting shaped public perception.

Balancing New Interviews:
When interviews were essential, they were strategically placed to introduce archival segments, reinforcing immersion without interrupting the flow of historical footage.

The Impact

Audiences praised the immersive, unfiltered experience: viewers felt transported back to the trial’s frenetic atmosphere, engaging with the material as it originally unfolded.

Behind the Scenes & Lessons Learned

Originally envisioned as a three-episode miniseries, the depth of compelling archival material led us to expand to four episodes. This abundance underscored the importance of meticulous cataloging and flexible planning. As Alana notes, “Stay organized—use your editing tools to their fullest and establish a clear archival taxonomy from day one.” Kaelin adds, “Study past treatments to find gaps; an archival-first lens can uncover stories no one else has told.”

Project Outcome

American Manhunt became Netflix’s #1 series in the U.S. for multiple days, demonstrating the power of letting archival footage guide storytelling and reaffirming the enduring intrigue of this landmark case.