Product Description

Tens of thousands of readers have benefited from Michael Rabiger's classic text on documentary filmmaking, now updated to reflect the revolutionary switch to digital video equipment and software. You will learn how to research and focus a documentary film or video idea, develop a crew, direct the crew, maintain control during shooting, and oversee postproduction. Practical work is emphasized, with dozens of exercises and questionnaires to help focus your ideas and give you hands-on practice. The documentary is treated as an important genre in its own right, as well as a useful prelude to directing feature films.

The fourth edition is a significant update. The book's emphasis has always been on concrete steps you can take to become a documentary filmmaker, and there are loads of new projects to help, along with assessment tables that allow you to gauge your progress. In addition, there is new material on location sound, the reality TV trend, top documentaries to see, and more.

*The definitive guide to making a documentary
*A hands-on approach with dozens of exercises
*A fully updated 4th edition of the classic textbook

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #270362 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 627 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780240806082
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Library Journal
Documentary films are directed, not just edited from random shots. They are also planned, as this nine-part book shows, taking the reader through pre- and post-production of a series of documentary projects on both film and videotape. "No one ever got rich making documentaries," Rabiger states, but one can get much satisfaction out of making them. The knowledgeable author gives many helpful hints for the neophyte nonfiction filmmaker, and a good number of photographs, charts, and drawings illustrate the material. Also included in this readable book are an annotated bibliography, a glossary of film terms, some forms and, best of all, information on how to get a job in the documentary field. Recommended for college and public libraries because of its comprehensiveness and usefulness. James L. Limbacher, Jayell Enterprises, Dearborn, Mich.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
'What makes this book so valuable is that the author consistently searches for the philosophical underpinnings of his art and never gets lost in the technical processes of filmmaking.'
- Jonathan Luskin, Flying Moose Pictures, San Francisco

'The book's greatest strength is the emphasis on documentary filmmaking as a creative, storytelling process....It supplies more in the way of an ethical foundation for the young filmmaker than any other title on the market.'
- Phil Hopper, Director, Theatre and Media Arts Program, Marymount College of Fordham University

'Intelligent and artfully written, Directing the Documentary should enjoy a place of prominence in the library of every documentary videomaker.'
- Videomaker magazine -- Review

Review
'What makes this book so valuable is that the author consistently searches for the philosophical underpinnings of his art and never gets lost in the technical processes of filmmaking.'
- Jonathan Luskin, Flying Moose Pictures, San Francisco

'The book's greatest strength is the emphasis on documentary filmmaking as a creative, storytelling process....It supplies more in the way of an ethical foundation for the young filmmaker than any other title on the market.'
- Phil Hopper, Director, Theatre and Media Arts Program, Marymount College of Fordham University

'Intelligent and artfully written, Directing the Documentary should enjoy a place of prominence in the library of every documentary videomaker.'
- Videomaker magazine

"...what really makes this book so valuable is that the author is just so inspiring. Rabiger writes with such enthusiasm that even the most nervous would-be documentary maker is encouraged. But this is not the extent of his audience as this text is also highly relevant and impassioning to the seasoned pro...This text is inspirational, accessible, filled with useful filmic references and snippets of advice...This updated 4th edition really is a must for anyone with an interest in documentary filmmaking." - POV2 Journal

"While there are many books about the technical basics of documentary film production, none of them integrate so thoroughly the artistic intention at the heart of great direction with the means of realization in pre-production, the field and the editing room...Great directing is equally a matter of heart and soul as much as technical knowledge. This idea is prevalent throughout Rabiger's book." -- Ray Zone, International Documentary Magazine

Customer Reviews

Directing the Documentary
An excellent book, especially for those who are new in the field. Among other things, Michael Rabiger guides you through a brief history of the documentary genre, helps you discover your creative identity, acquaintes you with the film vocabulary, and introduces you to the genre through a variety of projects that you are encouraged to undertake. Directing the Documentary is definitely a textbook (no wonder it's one of the "must read" books at the Department of TV Documentary in Goldsmith's College in London) and Michael Rabiger is an excellent teacher. Lacking the pretentiousness of many other teachers, he uses simple language to describe various aspects of the documentary and never underestimates his reader / student. A lover of the genre himself, he knows how to make you feel confident for having chosen the documentary as a career. He never patronizes you and all the advice that he gives is given with a friendly and generous tone. Mr Rabiger is a thoughtful and sensitive teacher, but also an excellent author, or "storyteller," as he prefers to call the documentarist. His words flow, like in a good novel, making you want to read on and on, while at the same time they are so pregnant with meaning that they make you stop and think about them. Having read his book, and being a student myself, I would like to say a warm "thank you" to Mr Rabiger for his sensitivity and generosity as a teacher.

This is THE Text on Documentary Filmmaking
This is probably the best book on directing and producing a documentary film that I've come across.  A lot of books on filmmaking seem to be written by people who've never really made any films but can rehash what others have written on the subject and sell their advice.  Rabiger's text is different, this is a text written by a seasoned documentary filmmaker that makes every chapter an insightful and useful reading experience.  It may price a bit more than other documentary texts but it's worth the money spent in what you'll learn over the other books

Superior how-to book for documentarians (or would-be documentarians!)
Rabinger as a writer has a superbly no-nonsense approach to his subject matter, and the book covers every aspect of the life of the documentary film. He explores the key elements of creating the the work (or body of work) and fits a series of practical steps and tips for each element.

These elements include: Historical Background, Preproduction, Production, Post-Production, Technical Basics, Projects for Developing Skills, and Career Track.

The appendices and the annotated bibliography are very useful, and the book is worth the price just for these additions.

Directing the Documentary is an essential for a student of film.