Writing, Directing and Producing Documentary Films and Videos

by Alan Rosenthal (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2002

  $4.37

  A comprehensive guide for documentary filmmakers at all stages. In this third edition, in response to technological advances and the demands of cable television stations, Alan Rosenthal reconsiders how one approaches documentary filmmaking in the 21st century. Foregoing theory and hardware, Rosenthal tackles the day-to-day problems from initial concept through distribution, emphasizing the research and writing approach. He offers examples of interviewing, narration writing, and the complexities of editing. The text explains how to write, direct and produce the documentary, whether film or video. This third edition also covers nonlinear editing techniques, a complex budget example and its analysis, and a chapter on staying alive , which details how European and US stations approach documentary and how the Internet can help filmmakers find new markets. A new chapter has been added to stress the growing genre of family films.

• Used

  Paperback
  1996

  $4.24

  In this text, the moral, ethical, aesthetic and communicative problems of documentary film-making are explored through knowledge and experience in the field, studio, editing room, theatre and television. This revised edition increases the discussion of video, adds a new chapter on fundraising and international marketing, provides more writing examples, and gives more attention to production development. An internationally renowned documentary film-maker with more than 60 films to his credit, including the Peabody Award-winning Out of the Ashes , Rosenthal has written a book which addresses the realities involved in the making of a documentary. Rather than dealing with theory or hardware, Rosenthal tackles the day-to-day problems from initial concept through distribution. The organization of the book follows the process of making a documentary. Part 1 discusses ideas, research and script structure; parts 2 and 3 go over preproduction and production; part 4 explores editing and narration writing; and part 5 discusses distinctive forms of documentary, including cinema verite and documentary drama. The concluding chapter offers a perspective on the entire process involved in the making of a documentary.