In this Book

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 Videos is “a book about storytelling—how to tell great and moving stories about fascinating people, whether they be villains or heroes.”
 
In response to technological advances and the growth of the documentary hybrid in the past five years, Rosenthal reconsiders how one approaches documentary filmmaking in the twenty-first century. Simply and clearly, he explains how to tackle day-to-day problems, from initial concept through distribution. He demonstrates his ideas throughout the book with examples from key filmmakers’ work.
 
New aspects of this fourth edition include a vital new chapter titled "Making Your First Film," and a considerable enlargement of the section for producers, "Staying Alive," which includes an extensive discussion of financing, marketing, festivals, and distribution. This new edition offers a revised chapter on nonlinear editing, more examples of precise and exacting proposals, and the addition of a complex budget example with explanation of the budgeting process. Discussion of documentary hybrids, with suggestions for mastering changes and challenges, has also been expanded, while the “Family Films” chapter includes updated information that addresses rapid expansion in this genre.

Table of Contents

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  1. Cover
  2. p. 1
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  1. Title Page, Other Books, Copyright, Dedication
  2. pp. 2-7
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  1. Contents
  2. pp. vii-viii
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  1. Illustrations
  2. pp. ix-11
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  1. Preface to the Fourth Edition
  2. pp. xi-xiii
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  1. Preface to the First Edition
  2. pp. xv-xvi
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  1. 1. Introduction
  2. pp. 1-5
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  1. Part One: From Idea to First Draft
  1. 2. Clearing the Decks
  2. pp. 9-18
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  1. 3. Getting to Work
  2. pp. 19-32
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  1. 4. Writing the Proposal
  2. pp. 33-55
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  1. 5. Research
  2. pp. 56-64
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  1. 6. Shaping the Film
  2. pp. 65-89
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  1. 7. Beginning the First Draft
  2. pp. 90-102
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  1. 8. Completing the First Draft
  2. pp. 103-126
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  1. Part Two: Preproduction
  1. 9. Budget and Contract
  2. pp. 129-145
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  1. 10. Preproduction Survey
  2. pp. 146-161
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  1. Part Three: Production
  1. 11. The Director Prepares
  2. pp. 165-176
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  1. 12. Directing the Interview
  2. pp. 177-192
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  1. 13. On Location
  2. pp. 193-202
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  1. Part Four: Postproduction
  1. 14. Editing
  2. pp. 205-225
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  1. 15. Writing the Final Narration
  2. pp. 226-258
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  1. 16. Finishing the Film
  2. pp. 259-266
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  1. Part Five: Special Cases
  1. 17. Making Your First Film
  2. pp. 269-274
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  1. 18. Cinema Verité
  2. pp. 275-287
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  1. 19. Documentary Drama
  2. pp. 288-310
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  1. 20. The History Documentary
  2. pp. 311-327
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  1. 21. Family Films
  2. pp. 328-350
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  1. 22. Industrial and Public Relations Films
  2. pp. 351-363
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  1. 23. Staying Alive: The Producer’s Role
  2. pp. 364-387
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  1. 24. Conclusion: Problems and Challenges
  2. pp. 389-397
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  1. Images
  2. pp. 418-429
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  1. Appendix
  2. pp. 401-405
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  1. Selected Bibliography
  2. pp. 407-408
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  1. Index
  2. pp. 409-418
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  1. Author Bio, Back Cover
  2. pp. 448-449
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