Directing the Documentary, the 6th edition, from Focal Press offers time-tested principles to help you master the craft of directing documentaries. Ideal for documentary courses as well as aspiring and established filmmakers, author Michael Rabiger provides in-depth lessons and insider perspectives on every aspect of pre-production, production, and post-production. This paperback book focuses on the hands-on work needed to make your concept a reality, from the fundamentals to advanced elements of directing and more.
Featured within the book are dozens of projects, practical exercises, and thought-provoking questions. It provides best practices for researching and honing your documentary idea, developing a crew, guiding your team, maintaining control throughout the shoot, and much more.
Format
The 6th Edition Features:
- A two-stage cinematic learning process: camera observation skills, then advanced storytelling
- Dozens of real-world exercises and case studies to demystify production processes and enhance your skills
- Easy-to-comprehend guidance in the creative, technical, and artistic aspects of directing
- Fresh coverage of the latest filmmaking technology
- Expanded sections on grant writing and fundraising, emphasizing proposal and pitching skills
- A self-assessment of your interviewing skills and expanded coverage of narration-writing
- A companion website with production checklists and forms, updated projects, exercises, and video examples
Table of Contents
Contents of Companion Website
Book 1: Observing
Part 1: You and Your Ideas
1. You and Film Authorship
2. The Nature of Documentary
Part 2: Documentaries and Film Language
3. Documentary History
4. Constructing Reality
5. Story Elements and Film Grammar
Part 3: Preproduction
6. Developing Story Ideas
7. Research
8. Developing and Pitching a Short Documentary
9. The Crew
Part 4: Production
10. Capturing Sound
11. Lighting
12. Camera
13. Directing
Part 5: Post Production
14. Creating the First Assembly
15. Editing for Refinement
16. Editing from Fine Cut to Festival
Part 6: Documentary Aesthetics
17. Point of View and Storytelling
18. Dramatic Development, Time, and Story Structure
19. Form, Control and Style
20. Re-enactment, Reconstruction, and Docudrama
21. Values, Ethics and Choices
Part 7: Advanced Production Issues
Part 7A: Advanced Preproduction
22. Advanced Research
23. Advanced Story Development and Proposal
24. Advanced Technology and Budgeting
25. Preparations Before Directing
Part 7B: Advanced Production
26. Optics
27. Advanced Cameras and Equipment
28. Advanced Location Sound
29. Organization, Crew and Procedures for the Larger Production
30. Advanced Directing
31. Conducting and Shooting Interviews
Part 7C: Advanced Post Production
32. From Transcript to Assembly
33. Creating Narration
34. Using Music and Working with a Composer
35. Editing Refinements and Structural Solutions
Part 8: Work
36. Developing a Career
37. Starting up on Your Own
Index
