Directing the Documentary, 5th Edition

Chapter 16Titles and Acknowledgments

Titles

Although every film acquires a working title, its makers often pluck the final title late during an agony of indecision. Your film’s title may in fact be the only advertising copy your audience ever sees, so it should be short and snappy and epitomize the film’s allure. Because TV listings and festival programs rarely have space to describe their offerings, the title you choose may be your sole means of drawing an audience:

• Style—Form follows function. Documentary titles are usually plain and unfussy. Find examples among TV documentaries or video rentals. Some of the most artistically ambitious films use brief and classically simple white-on-black titles. You could do a lot worse.

• Font, layout, and ...