Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers

The Documentary Storytelling Paperback Book Third Edition by Sheila Curran Bernard has reached filmmakers and filmgoers worldwide with its unique focus on the single most important aspect of documentary media-making: storytelling. This third edition features updated and improved, with new case studies and conversations with award-winning filmmakers including Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side), James Marsh (Man on Wire), and Deborah Scranton (The War Tapes). Documentary Storytelling draws on the narrative tools of the creative writer, the unique strengths of a visual and aural media, and the power of real-world content truthfully presented. Documentary Storytelling offers advice for producers, directors, editors, and cinematographers seeking to make ethical and effective nonfiction films, and for those who use these films to educate, inform, and inspire.Special interview chapters explore storytelling as practiced by renowned producers, directors, and editors. This third edition has been updated and expanded, with discussion of newer films including Waltz with Bashir and Why We Fight.

• Storytelling techniques are one of the most powerful tools in the documentary filmmaker's arsenal-learn how to harness them with this book
• Top documentary filmmakers provide their storytelling strategies
• Covers a wide range of documentary styles

Reviews
"With all the buzz over blockbuster docs, Focal Press serves up a perfectly timed winner in a much-neglected area. True to the nature of the beast, the book is more about filmmaking as a whole, and how and where storytelling weaves into the overall process."--Canadian Screenwriter (Writers Guild of Canada)
"Bernard demonstrates to documentarians how story can be more effectively incorporated into every level of nonfiction filmmaking, from conception to development and pre-production, in the field and in the editing room. Her discussions incorporate many examples from contemporary documentaries to illustrate a variety of salient points."-- Documentary (International Documentary Association)

Contents
Introduction
Part I Understanding Story: Story Basics; Finding the Story; Story Structure; Time on Screen; Creative Approach; Case Studies
Part II Working with Story: Research; Planning; Selling; Shooting; Editing; Narration and Voice Over; Storytelling: A Checklist
Part III Talking about Story: Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan; Victoria Bruce and Karin Hayes; Ric Burns; Brett Culp; Alex Gibney; Susan Kim; James Marsh; Sam Pollard; Deborah Scranton
Part IV Additional Material: Sources and Notes; Films; About the Author; Index


About the Author
Sheila Curran Bernard is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker and writer whose credits include projects for broadcast, theatrical release, and museum and classroom use. She has taught at Princeton University, Westbrook College, and the University at Albany, SUNY.

Specifications:

• ISBN: 9780240812410
• Trim: 6in x 9in
• Publication Date: September 14, 2010
• Format: Book - Paperback
• Pages: 386