Product Description: As the market for documentaries expands, so does the challenge to create memorable, compelling films. Story and structure are the most important (and least expensive) tools available. This guide shows how to make stronger, more compelling documentaries through improved storytelling techniques. It offers a writerly perspective to filmmakers at every stage of production, from concept and treatment to shooting and postproduction. It is intended for the novice as well as the experienced filmmaker and is applicable to a wide variety of documentary styles and forms.
Documentary Storytelling fills a critical void on the bookshelf, offering an in-depth guide to story and structure as they apply not to Hollywood screenplays but to documentary films. Story is what turns a subject or an idea into a film; it's what keeps an audience watching a topic they might never have thought would interest them. Written for anyone working in documentary, this book offers practical advice for all stages of production. It's filled with real-world examples drawn from the author's own career and from the experiences of some of today's top documentarians.
*Offers in-depth analysis and tools for applying concepts of story and structure to documentary material *Interviews with well-known filmmakers give unique perspectives on nonfiction filmmaking *Covers a wide range of documentary styles
Great resource for any doc-maker In short, this book is a profoundly useful tool to help you develop your film's narrative structure (even if you don't think you need help in that department, you might be surprised by the useful tips and strategies offered here); it is worth it for that alone. The fact that it also offers in-depth advice on writing effective scripts, proposals, treatments, etc. make it impossible to resist. Clear, concise, and intelligent writing offering real-world examples from wildly diverse filmmaking approaches.
In response to the reader who says the author loves Michael Moore - I disagree. Moore is used a few times as an example but I'm guessing that's because she's guessing most people are familiar with his work. She uses him as a negative example, as well, describing how Roger & Me manipulated the chronology of events it "documented" in a way that was misleading and disingenuous.
Clear & Concise This book was great for me as I am very new to documentary filmmaking. It was methodical but without being boring and Ms. Bernard has a very clear and deep understanding of what makes documentaries work and not work. Her experience shows throughout and having actual documentaries as reference points was tremendously helpful. I recommend this book.
Balanced and insightful - A must read! Bernard's professional expertise shines through in this unique book. The book is balanced, insightful, and thorough. Bernard examines a wide range of filmmakers, bringing a critical and perceptive eye to their work. A must read for anyone interested in learning more about storytelling, structure and other essential aspects of documentary filmmaking. A practical and readable guide that is also the perfect text for upper-level college courses. Highly recommended!
If you just hate Michael Moore, turn around It's fairly well written and the author you can tell has done a lot of research and field work. What throws you off at first is her dying love to Michael Moore to my opinion which is a fact that he doesn't make documentaries. The guy makes blockbuster films. I don't know, anyway, good for the entry level documentary filmaker.
Practical, informative, inspiring This book should be in every screenwriting curriculum in America. Sheila Curran Bernard knows what she's talking about, and, unlike others in this field, she is eminently capable of conveying that knowledge in a clear, unassuming, generous manner. Five BIG stars for this excellent guidebook.
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