The Essential TV Director's Handbook

9

Writing commentary

 

One of the most intractable problems that documentary directors face is how to persuade outsiders that the starting point for programmes is not a polished commentary script. To anyone with a theatrical background this would seem odd. Most television dramas start from a written screenplay even when the director comes to this through long periods of improvisation in rehearsal. Many journalists regard film and video the same as photographs in a newspaper, arresting and illustrative perhaps, but always subordinate to the writing.

Corporate clients and sponsors feel that they have a right to confirm every word of text before shelling out their money; managers flex their muscles by demanding to see typescripts. Not a few current ...