Documentary In Practice - Filmmakers And Production Choices

Documentary in Practice provides a unique approach to practical documentary-making. Through fascinating analysis of real-life production situations, Jane Chapman shows the challenges and issues faced during the filmmaking process by a range of both well-known and up-and-coming documentary-makers. She also brings her own personal experience as a seasoned documentary producer and teacher to advise on how students can gain invaluable insight from these projects.

Throughout this compelling text, a variety of producers past and present provide their inside project stories and production records, including scripts, fundraising proposals, budgets, diagrams, post-production records and reviews. Across continents, every project and its makers are different whether they are famous names from the canon', television freelances, art-house directors, documentary-maker activists or first-time filmmakers but they all face a range of challenges:



how to connect visual approach to content idea

morality of camera presence

complaints and ethical challenges

legal issues and censorship

budgetary factors influencing choices

conflict with commissioning editors


All students of media studies as well as aspiring documentary-makers will find this book a refreshing introduction to the choices available for filmmaking and the issues that may emerge during the process.

Jane Chapman is Reader in Media Studies at the University of Lincoln.

"This book, which offers wonderful examples of film-makers reflecting on their practical choices, together with insightful commentary from the author, shows how critical thinking is foundational to the film-making practice."
European Journal of Communication
"Jane Chapman manages to mix creative enthusiasm and practical advice in equal measure. This engaging book, informed by her experience in television, is a major contribution to teaching documentary production. Its thoughtful commentary and sequence of illuminating case-studies will also be of value to a broader understanding of this area of work and its critical appreciation."
John Corner, University of Liverpool

Information about Case Studies.
Acknowledgements.
List of Illustrations.
Preface.
1. Thinking Creatively.
2. Fundraising and Budgeting.
3. Researching and Planning.
4. Shooting and Collecting.
5. Shaping and Editing.
6. Obtaining Public Reaction.
References.
Index.