Overview

Documentary Filmmaking: A Contemporary Field Guide is a skills-oriented, step-by-step portable guide to creating documentary films, from the initial idea phase to postproduction processes and distribution. An indispensable resource on site or in the studio, this compact handbook offers something for all types of students: documentary recommendations (for the film buff); illustrations and examples from working documentary makers, producers, editors, and distributors (for the more grounded, visual learner); the latest trends in Internet video and other forms of new media (for the more techie documentarian); and even practical financial tips, fundraising ideas, and legal considerations (for the more idealistic--and not always realistic--visionary). Organized by the chronological structure of documentary film creation, the book opens with ideas, motives, access, and preproduction questions. It then moves on to research, crew considerations, legal issues, production planning, film shoots, and interviewing issues, before wrapping up with postproduction organization, publicity, distribution, and festivals. Offering a strong focus on practical advice and ethics, Documentary Filmmaking is an ideal text for undergraduate- and graduate-level documentary film courses. FEATURES BL Step-by-step information for producing documentaries, including many useful checklists BL Detailed hands-on advice and class-tested instructional organization backed by the authors' combined forty years of teaching experience--and by their combined sixty years of independent documentary work BL An up-to-date and careful look at the latest distribution market structure and innovative media for distribution BL Brief structure and compact size that encourages portability BL Unique chapters covering Internet video, the use of music, and publicity and distribution

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9780195374438

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Reviews

I am very excited about this text. I have been teaching undergraduate documentary video production for seven years, and this is the kind of book I have been looking for. This text gives clear, sound advice at every step of the way. There are essential visual images used to illustrate points and clear examples of writing, press kits, etc. to help students know what they need in order to move forward at each stage. . . . This is an excellent, step-by-step, hands-on guide for navigating the documentary filmmaking process. --Andy Opel, Florida State University<br> This is a great introductory text that will help students get from zero into shooting and editing. --Robert Arnett, Old Dominion University<br>

I am very excited about this text. I have been teaching undergraduate documentary video production for seven years, and this is the kind of book I have been looking for. This text gives clear, sound advice at every step of the way. There are essential visual images used to illustrate points and clear examples of writing, press kits, etc. to help students know what they need in order to move forward at each stage. . . . This is an excellent, step-by-step, hands-on guide for navigating the documentary filmmaking process. --Andy Opel, Florida State University This is a great introductory text that will help students get from zero into shooting and editing. --Robert Arnett, Old Dominion University I am very excited about this text. I have been teaching undergraduate documentary video production for seven years, and this is the kind of book I have been looking for. This text gives clear, sound advice at every step of the way. There are essential visual images used to illustrate points and clear examples of writing, press kits, etc. to help students know what they need in order to move forward at each stage. . . . This is an excellent, step-by-step, hands-on guide for navigating the documentary filmmaking process. --Andy Opel, Florida State University This is a great introductory text that will help students get from zero into shooting and editing. --Robert Arnett, Old Dominion University

I am very excited about this text. I have been teaching undergraduate documentary video production for seven years, and this is the kind of book I have been looking for. This text gives clear, sound advice at every step of the way. There are essential visual images used to illustrate points and clear examples of writing, press kits, etc. to help students know what they need in order to move forward at each stage. . . . This is an excellent, step-by-step, hands-on guide for navigating the documentary filmmaking process. --Andy Opel, Florida State University This is a great introductory text that will help students get from zero into shooting and editing. --Robert Arnett, Old Dominion University I am very excited about this text. I have been teaching undergraduate documentary video production for seven years, and this is the kind of book I have been looking for. This text gives clear, sound advice at every step of the way. There are essential visual images used to illustrate points and clear examples of writing, press kits, etc. to help students know what they need in order to move forward at each stage. . . . This is an excellent, step-by-step, hands-on guide for navigating the documentary filmmaking process. --Andy Opel, Florida State University This is a great introductory text that will help students get from zero into shooting and editing. --Robert Arnett, Old Dominion University

Author Information

John Hewitt is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts at San Francisco State University. Gustavo Vazquez is Assistant Professor in the Department of Film and Digital Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

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