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How Documentaries Work
How Documentaries Work breaks down the hidden conventions of documentaries in clear and accessible language for film students and documentary enthusiasts alike. Jacob Bricca, ACE, an award-winning documentary director, producer, and editor, provides a behind-the-scenes, under-the-hood view of what's really going on in the construction of nonfiction films and television shows. This book presents examples from contemporary documentaries and docuseries and delivers insights from some of the most exciting nonfiction 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, ACE ( A Film About Anthony Bourdain , 20 Feet from Stardom ), and composer Miriam Cutler ( RBG , Lost in La Mancha ). Chapters such as "Flow," "Narrative," and "Time" offer a new way of looking at documentary film language, while others like "Titles," "Music," and "Sound" delive
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 nonfiction films and television shows forever.
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 nonfiction films and television shows forever.
230 pages, Paperback
Published January 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 15, 2023
How Documentaries Work offers a glimpse behind the curtain revealing the artistry (and sometimes manipulation) to this complex medium which continues to evolve both stylistically and ethically. This tome is accessible to all with insight and advice from documentarians, written with smooth authority by filmmaker, editor, and professor, Jacob Bricca. A delightful added bonus is that you will walk away with a huge list of inspiring films to check out for years to come. Highly recommended.
September 10, 2023
I picked this book up the day I finished Bricca's other extremely helpful and practical book, Documentary Editing.
Documentary Editing focusses more directly on the practical matters of organizing, logging, and editing documentary footage, with practical advice on the challenges of finding the story buried in the many hours of (sometimes thinly related) footage. How Documentaries Work takes a step back from the hands-on mechanics of editing to look at the structures and elements of documentary films from the perspective of someone eager to understand how various approaches affect the outcome.
Reading Bricca felt like having an experienced and thoughtful mentor answer nearly all of the questions I have about the philosophy and ethics of documentary filmmaking. He tackles issues like the validity and honesty of using footage that is true to the story but may not actually have been connected at the time. He talks about the use (and misuse) of music in documentary, and how it has changed over time. He covers a lot of territory that is essential to understand when trying to tell stories about the real world. To illustrate many of his thoughts and arguments, he cites moments from highly regarded films.
HDW is an engaging and fascinating read that moves at a comfortable pace and isn't bogged down by academic dryness or cheapened by inappropriate chumminess. He talks to his readers like they are intelligent, thoughtful adults.
My only disappointment is that Bricca focusses mostly on character-driven documentaries that rely on the standard "person must overcome adversity to reach their goal" format. This isn't surprising to me - this is probably the most popular and saleable style. He does touch on films that take a different tack (i.e. Koyaanisqatsi). I'd love to see him do an entire book on genres like historical or science documentaries, where the pleasure and fun comes from learning new things as opposed to being "taken on a journey". This is not a criticism of How Documentaries work - more of an observation and a request.
I wish there were more books like this. It has given me much to think about and helped me better understand the kinds of films I'd like to make.
Documentary Editing focusses more directly on the practical matters of organizing, logging, and editing documentary footage, with practical advice on the challenges of finding the story buried in the many hours of (sometimes thinly related) footage. How Documentaries Work takes a step back from the hands-on mechanics of editing to look at the structures and elements of documentary films from the perspective of someone eager to understand how various approaches affect the outcome.
Reading Bricca felt like having an experienced and thoughtful mentor answer nearly all of the questions I have about the philosophy and ethics of documentary filmmaking. He tackles issues like the validity and honesty of using footage that is true to the story but may not actually have been connected at the time. He talks about the use (and misuse) of music in documentary, and how it has changed over time. He covers a lot of territory that is essential to understand when trying to tell stories about the real world. To illustrate many of his thoughts and arguments, he cites moments from highly regarded films.
HDW is an engaging and fascinating read that moves at a comfortable pace and isn't bogged down by academic dryness or cheapened by inappropriate chumminess. He talks to his readers like they are intelligent, thoughtful adults.
My only disappointment is that Bricca focusses mostly on character-driven documentaries that rely on the standard "person must overcome adversity to reach their goal" format. This isn't surprising to me - this is probably the most popular and saleable style. He does touch on films that take a different tack (i.e. Koyaanisqatsi). I'd love to see him do an entire book on genres like historical or science documentaries, where the pleasure and fun comes from learning new things as opposed to being "taken on a journey". This is not a criticism of How Documentaries work - more of an observation and a request.
I wish there were more books like this. It has given me much to think about and helped me better understand the kinds of films I'd like to make.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews