A complete guide to all phases of documentary production, this is an essential handbook for student filmmakers and professional documentarians alike. Written in clear, concise language and geared for easy reference, the text provides a progression of real-world learning skills, including project organization and production design. Also itemized is the necessary production equipment, with technical information refined for universal comprehension of the equipment and its application. Featured are exclusive interviews with several award-winning film and television documentarians, who explain in detail how they have conceived, planned, produced and directed their documentaries. Among the interviewees are Deborah Oppenheimer (Into the Arms of Strangers), Arnold Shapiro (Scared Straight!), Connie Bottinelli (Forensic Files) and Paul Gallagher (Behind the Music). The filmography lists every documentary cited in the handbook, with relevant and related websites.

Offering both beginning and more experienced filmmakers an updated, comprehensive guide to the process of documentary filmmaking In a new edition of this popular guidebook, filmmakers Alan Rosenthal and Ned Eckhardt show readers how to utilize the latest innovations in equipment, technologies, and production techniques for success in the digital, webbased world of documentary film. All twentyfour chapters of the volume have been revised to reflect the latest advances in documentary filmmaking. Rosenthal and Eckhardt discuss the myriad ways in which technological changes have impacted the creation process of documentary films, including how these evolving technologies both complicate and enrich filmmaking today. The book provides invaluable insights for the filmmaker from the film's conception to distribution of the finished film. Topics include creating dynamic proposals, writing narration, and navigating the murky world of contracts. Also included are many practical tips for firsttime filmmakers. To provide context and to illustrate techniques, Rosenthal and Eckhardt reference more than 100 documentaries in detail. A new appendix, "Preparing for Your Career Using the Web and Social Media," guides filmmakers through the process of leveraging social media and crowdsourcing for success in filmmaking, fundraising, and promotion. A daytoday field manual packed with invaluable lessons, this volume is essential reading for both novice and experienced documentary filmmakers.