PN1995.9.D6R65

Includes bibliographical references (p. 407-408) and index

Contents Illustrations 00 Preface to the Fourth Edition 000 Preface to the First Edition 000 1. Introduction 1 Part One. From Idea to First Draft 2. Clearing the Decks 000 3. Getting to Work 000 4. Writing the Proposal 000 5. Research 000 6. Shaping the Film 000 7. Beginning the First Draft 000 8. Completing the First Draft 000 Part Two. Preproduction 9. Budget and Contract 000 10. Preproduction Survey 000 Part Three. Production 11. The Director Prepares 000 12. Directing the Interview 000 13. On Location 000 Part Four. Postproduction 14. Editing 000 15. Writing the Final Narration 000 16. Finishing the Film 000 Part Five. Special Cases 17. Making Your First Film 000 18. Cinema Verité 000 19. Documentary Drama 000 20. The History Documentary 000 21. Family Films 000 22. Industrial and Public Relations Films 000 23. Staying Alive: The Producer?s Role 000 24. Conclusion: Problems and Challenges 000 Appendix: Budget for a One-Hour Documentary, Peace Process 000 Selected Bibliography 000 Index 000

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 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.