Writing, Directing, and Producing Documentary Films and Videos

by Rosenthal, Alan

• ISBN13: 9780809324484
• ISBN10: 0809324482
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: Southern Illinois Univ Pr
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

As Alan Rosenthal states in the preface to this new edition of his acclaimed resource for filmmakers,Writing, Directing, and Producing Documentary Films and Videosis "a book about storytelling--how to tell great and moving stories about fascinating people, whether they be villains or heroes." In response to the technological advances of the last six years and the demands of cable TV stations like Discovery and A&E, Alan Rosenthal reconsiders how one approaches documentary filmmaking in the twenty-first 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. Simply and clearly, Rosenthal explains how to write, direct, and produce the documentary, whether film or video. New aspects of this third edition include nonlinear editing techniques, a complex budget example and its analysis, plus a chapter on "Staying Alive," which details how European and U.S. stations approach documentary and how the Internet can help filmmakers find new markets. A new chapter has been added to address the growing genre of family films.

Author Biography

Alan Rosenthal was born in England, studied law at Oxford, and has made over sixty films for television. His books include New Challenges for Documentary, Why Docudrama? Fact-Fiction on Film and TV, and Jerusalem: Take One! Memoirs of a Jewish Filmmaker. He received a Peabody Award for Journalism and the International Documentary Association’s award for scholarship. Currently he divides his time among projects in Jerusalem, London, and New York. His most recent film is Adolf Eichmann: The Secret Memoirs.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Third Edition	ix
Preface to the Revised Edition	xi
Preamble: Preface to the First Edition	xv
Introduction	1	(8)
Part One. From Idea to First Draft
Clearing the Decks	9	(10)
Getting to Work	19	(14)
Writing the Proposal	33	(17)
Research	50	(9)
Shaping the Film	59	(23)
Beginning the First Draft	82	(14)
Completing the First Draft	96	(33)
Part Two. Preproduction
Budget and Contract	129	(15)
Preproduction Survey	144	(19)
Part Three. Production
The Director Prepares	163	(12)
Directing the Interview	175	(13)
On Location	188	(11)
Part Four. Postproduction
Editing	199	(20)
Writing the Final Narration	219	(35)
Finishing the Film	254	(11)
Part Five. Special Cases
Cinema Verite	265	(11)
Documentary Drama	276	(21)
The History Documentary	297	(10)
Family Films	307	(22)
Industrial and Public Relations Films	329	(13)
Staying Alive	342	(21)
Conclusion
Problems and Challenges	363	(12)
Appendix: Budget for a One-Hour Documentary, Peace Process	375	(6)
Selected Bibliography	381	(2)
Index	383