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Documentary in Practice

Filmmakers and Production Choices

Jane L Chapman author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Published:19th Dec '06

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Documentary in Practice cover

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.

"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

ISBN: 9780745636122

Dimensions: 245mm x 171mm x 15mm

Weight: 327g

184 pages