Product Description

Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos is the perfect text for students of filmmaking who would like to make a documentary. Barry Hampe, who has made more than 150 documentary films and videos, traces the two main approaches to documentary--recording behavior and re-creating past events—and shows students how to do both effectively. Covering all the steps, from conceptualization to completion, the book includes chapters on visual evidence; documentary ethics; why reality is not enough; budgeting; and casting, crew, and equipment selection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57911 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From School Library Journal
YA?A comprehensive and well-written introduction for aspiring filmmakers. Every aspect of production is covered, from conceptualizing an idea to seeking distributors for the final product. Technical aspects of video and film equipment are touched upon, but are not covered to such a degree that they become laborious. For instance, the subject of lighting, which could easily be a book unto itself, is addressed in a few pages. A filmography of classic documentaries and an appendix describing how to join the International Documentary Association are included. An invaluable tool for future producers and an excellent title to supplement videography and film-production classes.?John Kiefman, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
An experienced filmmaker, writer, and teacher, Hampe hopes to guide the inexperienced through the process of making a documentary, or "reality video," in 25 steps, from idea to post-production. He is meticulous, even including a chapter on informed consent called "Ethics in Making a Documentary," and a most helpful index that provides information on professional associations. Still, despite his use of sound bites and personal anecdotes, one senses that he should have produced a series of videos on the subject instead of writing it all down for its specialized audience of film students, film professionals, and large companies that make informational films. Recommended for specialized collections in communications or film studies.?Lisa N. Johnston, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., Va.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Hampe has indeed written a practical guide to filming real events, but, as with many such books with "user-friendly" titles, the user should have some background in filmmaking to appreciate and incorporate the documentary film techniques Hampe advocates. Hampe introduces the core of the book with a section, integral to the rest of the text, that includes an insightful discussion of verisimilitude in the documentary. The section launches the discussions of the preproduction (developing ideas, writing at various stages, scheduling, etc.), production (recording picture and sound, directing, interviewing, etc.), and postproduction (preparation, editing, and the wrap) phases of filmmaking. As in most expository works, the author uses examples throughout; Hampe increases their effect by having them illustrate multiple principles. His use of examples defines his taste as well: An American Family (the television "drama" about the Loud family) interestingly exemplifies ineffective documentary filmmaking. Knowing his preferences is extremely useful to a filmmaker in formulating his or her own values. A good book for professional filmmakers and film students. Bonnie Smothers

Customer Reviews

Documentary production: practicality, concepts, guidelines

In this book, Barry Hampe provides great advice, helpful concepts, and breaks down the documentary process into digestable servings. The book is divided into four sections: 1. An introduction to the concepts and guidelines of the Documentary genre 2. Preproduction 3. Production 4. Postproduction. Barry Hampe fills in the pages with experience, knowledge, and writes in a manner combining the ideas he discusses with pithy examples and stories which he uses to drive his points home. The book has a generous layout, placing information thoughtfully and easily into the reader. Included in the book is a wonderful filmography (including refrence info on where to find and order the documentaries listed), a well rounded bibliography, and even directions to join the International Documentary Association.

I used this book as my introduction to documentary production, because though it is based on Hampe's work specifically with behavioral documentary, the information is easily transferable to any documentary/reality video project. The book stresses concepts in creating a form of reality through visual medium, called verisimilitude, and Barry Hampe demonstrates very carefully the indepth process in which an audience recieves the final cut out of what was originially a simple idea. If Barry Hampe can communicate his ideas so clearly in writing this book, I imagine his documentaries must be stunning.

A useful guide to making 'Reality Videos' .
If you had an experienced friend to guide you into the world of making documentary films and videos, then you would feel as comfortable in your journey as the author of this book leaves the reader. As the book cover states, Mr. Hampe will "tell you why making a documentary looks easy but isn't. [He] traces the two main approaches to documentary--recording behaviour and re-creating past events--and shows you how to be sucessful at each." These are the course notes of a good teacher who imparts his wisdom as well as practical guidance. His writing style is 'chatty' and friendly without ever being banal. Also, in what I hope becomes a publishing trend, he gives an Internet e-mail address where readers may send their comments .... -HMB

Very practical and to the point
I came upon this book after making 23 drama videos for autistic teenagers. Recently we looked at producing a day-in-the-life type documentary with cutaways of professionals commenting on the activities. I honestly found this book to be a mine of information. Almost any question I found myself raising was addressed in some form in this book. Consequently structuring the doucmentary in terms of narrative, visual arrangement, verisimilitude, camera and sound has become clearer.

I would have liked the chapters on the Documentary Idea and Writing the Documentary to be longer. Personally, I would have benefited more from extending the discussions here. Also the author tends to drive the book along at a fiercely anecdotal rate which is great if you can imagine yourself in the author's shoes, but may not suit everyone's style.

Overall I found this to be a most useful manual and certainly find myself returning to it for advice. What better recommendation can I offer?