Documentary Storytelling, 3rd Edition

by Sheila Curran Bernard

Released September 2012

Publisher(s): Focal Press

ISBN: 9781136042256

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Book description

Documentary Storytelling is unique in offering an in-depth look at story and structure as applied not to Hollywood fiction, but to films and videos based on factual material and the drama of real life. With the growing popularity of documentaries in today's global media marketplace, demand for powerful, memorable storytelling has never been higher. This practical guide lays out the basics and applies them to diverse subjects and film styles, from cinema verite and personal narrative to financing and budgets. It shows how good storytelling can bring mundane or difficult subjects to life, and demonstrates that good films can be both rigorous and entertaining.

Offering practical advice for ever state of production, Documentary Storytelling is filled with real-world examples drawn from the author's career and the experiences of a range of filmmakers, both emerging and established. Special interview chapters explore storytelling as practiced by David Guggenheim, Jon Else, Nicholas Fraser, Susan Froemke, Sam Pollard, Onyekachi Wambu and others. This third edition has been updated and expanded, with a look at newer and internationally-distributed films. It also features new coverage of financing and budgeting in the world of digital distribution of documentary films and the troubles that young filmmakers face as a result.