How one cold email led to ‘You Can See Everything’

Lance Oppenheim and Nathan Fielder's documentary "You Can See Everything" delves deeply and intimately into the life of disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and her husband Billy Evans, garnering box office success and Oscar buzz. This unconventional documentary wouldn't have been possible without a single cold email that took place six years prior.

Oppenheim, a seasoned director, had reached out to filmmakers in the past as a teenager, but this particular email was a masterstroke, connecting him with comedian Nathan Fielder in 2020. At the time, Fielder was best known for his quirky comedy series Nathan for You. Oppenheim, who had previously directed the documentary "Some Kind of Heaven," initially reached out to Fielder after noticing Fielder had only covered 60% of a documentary about Holmes.

Fielder appreciated the film and was open to discussing the additional content he had missed. This friendship eventually led to Oppenheim and Fielder collaborating on "You Can See Everything." Their initial interaction highlights the power of cold emailing, even when it seems like there's no project in mind. Oppenheim's message was not predicated on a specific outcome; he simply wanted to connect with Fielder, whose work he admired.

Although Hollywood connections differ from those in other industries, cold emails can still be a valuable networking tool. They demonstrate initiative and genuine interest, potentially setting the sender apart from the competition.