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

Full Product Details

Author:   John Hewitt ,  Gustavo Vazquez
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 16.10cm , Height: 1.20cm , Length: 23.60cm
Weight:   0.432kg
ISBN:  

9780195374438

ISBN 10:   0195374436
Pages:   192
Publication Date:   01 February 2009
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

GETTING STARTED 1. Developing Your Idea and Doing the Research The Role of the Producer Testing the Waters Narrative Structures Doing the Research Gaining Access to Sources The Long-term Project and You 2. Building Characters and the Visual Story The Interplay of Characters and Sequences Subjects as Personalities Capturing Visual Sequences Visual Style Decisions Ethics and Visuals 3. Preparing for Collaboration Friendly Collaboration Participants Outside Collaborators Choosing Collaborators Contracts 4. Proposals, Budgets, and Fundraising Preparing for Fundraising Sources of Money Grants Co-productions and Pre-sales Proposals and Budgets Sample Treatment PREPRODUCTION 5. Preparation for the Long Haul Office Needs Access Problems Shooting Abroad Scripting in Advance Legal Issues Equipment and Crews PRODUCTION 6. Planning for Interviews Priorities The Art of Conversational Inquiry Planning a Visual Style At the Interview Location During the Interview 7. Sound Considerations The Value of Good Audio The Sound Recordist The Types of Location Sound The Cinematographer Alone Audio Basics Legal Issues 8. Natural or Portable Lighting Light and Cameras Using Natural Light Light Basics Portable Lights Safety Issues 9. Production: Shooting the Documentary The Art of Cinematography The Director and the Cinematographer Production Crews Visual Grammar Framing Shots with Intention Schedules and Preparation Selecting Additional Equipment 10. Internet and Small Screen Video The Internet's Promise Trailers and Web Buzz User Generated Sites Aesthetics of the Small Screen Copyrights and Pirating POSTPRODUCTION 11. Using Music in Your Documentary Choosing the Music Pre-recorded Music and Licenses Original Music 12. The Producer's Search for Structure Overall Organizing Strategies Finding the Story in the Edit Room Structural Models Paper Edit Scripts Writing for the Ear 13. Practicing the Editor's Art The Relationship of the Producer and Editor Finding Structure Preparation for the Edit Process Beginning Post With and Without Scripts The Timeline of Editing 14. Exposure, Publicity, Distribution, and Festivals Publicity Exposure and Deals Deliverables, Screeners, and Press Kits Website Types Rights Film Festivals and Film markets Broadcast and Educational Markets Screenings and Local Display Appendix 1. Documentaries to See

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 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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