How Documentaries Work breaks down the hidden conventions of documentaries in clear and accessible language for film studies students and documentary enthusiasts alike. Jacob Bricca, ACE, an award-winning documentary editor, producer, and director with a track record of delivering impactful presentations to lay audiences, provides a behind-the-scenes, under-the-hood view of what's really going on in the construction of non-fiction films and television shows. This book presents examples from contemporary documentaries and docuseries and delivers insights from some of the most exciting non-fiction filmmakers and craftspeople working today, including director Steve James (City So Real, Hoop Dreams), producer Amy Ziering (Allen v. Farrow, The Hunting Ground), editor Aaron Wickenden (Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, 20 Feet from Stardom), and composer Miriam Cutler (RBG, Lost in La Mancha). Chapters such as "Flow," "Narrative," "Meaning," and "Time" offer a completely new way of looking at documentary film language, while others like "Music," "Titles," and "Sound" deliver extraordinary insights on seemingly ordinary topics. A compact volume written in plain, easy-to-understand language, this book promises to change the way you think about non-fiction films and television shows forever.

This book offers clear and detailed strategies for tackling every stage of the documentary editing process, from organizing raw footage and building select reels to fine cutting and final export. Written by a Sundance award-winning documentary editor with a dozen features to his credit and containing examples from over 100 films, this book presents a step-by-step guide for how to turn seemingly shapeless footage into focused scenes, and how to craft a structure for a documentary of any length. The book contains insights and examples from seven of America's top documentary editors, including Geoffrey Richman, ACE (The Cove, Tiger King), Kate Amend, ACE (The Keepers, Serena), and Mary Lampson (Harlan County U.S.A.), and a companion website contains easy-to-follow video tutorials. Written for both practitioners and enthusiasts, this book offers unique and invaluable insights into the documentary editing process. The second edition is completely revised and updated with contemporary examples and contains a new chapter titled, "Editing the Short Documentary."

This book offers clear and detailed strategies for tackling every stage of the documentary editing process, from organizing raw footage and building select reels to fine cutting and final export. Written by a Sundance award-winning documentary editor with a dozen features to his credit and containing examples from over 100 films, this book presents a step-by-step guide for how to turn seemingly shapeless footage into focused scenes, and how to craft a structure for a documentary of any length. The book contains insights and examples from seven of America's top documentary editors, including Geoffrey Richman, ACE (The Cove, Tiger King), Kate Amend, ACE (The Keepers, Serena), and Mary Lampson (Harlan County U.S.A.), and a companion website contains easy-to-follow video tutorials. Written for both practitioners and enthusiasts, this book offers unique and invaluable insights into the documentary editing process. The second edition is completely revised and updated with contemporary examples and contains a new chapter titled, "Editing the Short Documentary."

How Documentaries Work breaks down the hidden conventions of documentaries in clear and accessible language for film studies students and documentary enthusiasts alike. Jacob Bricca, ACE, an award-winning documentary editor, producer, and director with a track record of delivering impactful presentations to lay audiences, provides a behind-the-scenes, under-the-hood view of what's really going on in the construction of non-fiction films and television shows. This book presents examples from contemporary documentaries and docuseries and delivers insights from some of the most exciting non-fiction filmmakers and craftspeople working today, including director Steve James (City So Real, Hoop Dreams), producer Amy Ziering (Allen v. Farrow, The Hunting Ground), editor Aaron Wickenden (Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, 20 Feet from Stardom), and composer Miriam Cutler (RBG, Lost in La Mancha). Chapters such as "Flow," "Narrative," "Meaning," and "Time" offer a completely new way of looking at documentary film language, while others like "Music," "Titles," and "Sound" deliver extraordinary insights on seemingly ordinary topics. A compact volume written in plain, easy-to-understand language, this book promises to change the way you think about non-fiction films and television shows forever.