Synopses & Reviews
In this revised edition of a universally acclaimed guide, Rosenthaland#8217;s intellectual impetus remains the same: "For me, working in documentary implies a commitment that one wants to change the world for the better. That says it all."
Even before important revisions, Donald E. Staples, University of North Texas, said of Rosenthaland#8217;s work: "This book should be called the and#145;Documentary Filmmakerand#8217;s Guide to the Galaxy.and#8217; The moral, ethical, aesthetic, and communicative problems of documentary filmmaking are explored through knowledge and experience in the field, studio, editing room, theater, and television. Every new or established documentary filmmaker should read it."
And Henry Breitrose, writing in International Documentary, stated: "The concentration on technique as an end in itself has resulted in altogether too many exquisitely wrought empty vessels. Alan Rosenthaland#8217;s new book comes as a corrective. . . . The book is a major contribution to the literature of film teaching and will be immensely useful as a textbook and as a humane, intelligent, and thoughtful refresher course for documentary makers."
An internationally renowned documentary filmmaker with more than sixty films to his credit, including the Peabody Award-winning Out of the Ashes, Rosenthal has written the first book to address the realities involved in the making of a documentary. Rather than dealing with theory or hardware, Rosenthal tackles the day-to-day problems from initial concept through distribution. Simply and clearly, Rosenthal explains how to write, direct, and produce the new documentary, whether film or video. He emphasizes the research and writing of the documentary, from approach and structure through interviewing, narration writing, and the complexities of editing. This emphasis makes his book unique.
The organization of the book follows the process of making a documentary. Part 1 discusses ideas, research, and script structure; parts 2 and 3 go over preproduction and production; part 4 explores editing and narration writing; and part 5 discusses distinctive forms of documentary, including cinema verite and documentary drama. The concluding chapter offers a perspective on the entire process involved in the making of a documentary.
Review
and#8220;This book should be called the and#8216;Documentary Filmmakerand#8217;s Guide to the Galaxy.and#8217; The moral, ethical, aesthetic, and communicative problems of documentary filmmaking are explored through knowledge and experience in the field, the studio, the editing room, theater, and television.and#8221;and#8212;Donald E. Staples, University of North Texas
Review
I can hardly praise this book enough. Sh
Review
This book should be called the Document
Review
The book is a major contribution to the
Review
I can hardly praise this book enough. Should every documentary student read it? Certainly. Should every documentary filmmaker, no matter how experienced they are, read it? Certainly.”Film Quarterly
Review
and#147;The book is a major contribution to the literature of film teaching.and#8221;
and#151;International Documentary
Review
Just as Rosenthals books and films are about ideas, so his book is about above the neck (as distinct from hands-on skills). . . . The book is a major contribution to the literature of film teaching.”International Documentary
Review
Any writer entertaining thoughts of turning computer work to camera work would do well to read this classic guide.”Clockwatch Review: A Journal of the Arts
Synopsis
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 and#8220;a book about storytellingand#8212;how to tell great and moving stories about fascinating people, whether they be villains or heroes.and#8221;
and#160;
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 filmmakersand#8217; work.
and#160;
New aspects of this fourth edition include a vital new chapter titled "Making Your First Film," and a considerableand#160;enlargement of theand#160;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 and#8220;Family Filmsand#8221; chapter includes updated information that addresses rapid expansion in this genre.
Synopsis
In this fourth edition of his popula
Synopsis
In this fourth editionand#160;of his popular book, Alan Rosenthaland#160;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.
Synopsis
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 storytellinghow to tell great and moving stories about fascinating people, whether they be villains or heroes.”
In response to the technological advances of the last six years and the demands of cable TV stations like Discovery and A&E, Alan Rosenthal reconsiders how one approaches documentary filmmaking in the twenty-first century. Foregoing theory and hardware, Rosenthal tackles the day-to-day problems from initial concept through distribution, emphasizing the research and writing approach.
He offers examples of interviewing, narration writing, and the complexities of editing. Simply and clearly, Rosenthal explains how to write, direct, and produce the documentary, whether film or video. New aspects of this third edition include nonlinear editing techniques, a complex budget example and its analysis, plus a chapter on Staying Alive,” which details how European and U.S. stations approach documentary and how the Internet can help filmmakers find new markets. A new chapter has been added to address the growing genre of family films.
Synopsis
"For me, working in documentary implies a commitment that one wants to change the world for the better. That says it all."Alan Rosenthal
An international documentary filmmaker with more than 60 films to his credit including the Peabody Award winner "Out of the Ashes," Rosenthal has written the first book to address the realities facing a documentary filmmaker. Rather than dealing with theory or hardware, this book tackles the day-to-day problems of the documentary filmmaker from initial concept through distribution. Rosenthal explains in a down-to-earth manner how to approach, create, write, and direct the "new" documentary He emphasizes the research and writing of documentaries, from approach and structure through interviewing, narration writing, and the complexities of editing.
The organization of the book follows the process of making a film. Part 1 discusses ideas, research, and script structure; parts 2 and 3 go over preproduction and production; part 4 explores film editing and narration writing; part 5 discusses distinctive film styles; and the concluding chapter offers a perspective on the entire filmmaking process.
About the Author
Alan Rosenthal was born in England, studied law at Oxford, and has made over sixty films for television. His books include New Challenges for Documentary, Why Docudrama? Fact-Fiction on Film and TV, andJerusalem: Take One! Memoirs of a Jewish Filmmaker. He received a Peabody Award for Journalism and the International Documentary Associations award for scholarship. Currently he divides his time among projects in Jerusalem, London, and New York. His most recent film is Adolf Eichmann: The Secret Memoirs.