Making Documentary Films and Videos: A Practical Guide to Planning, Filming, and Editing Documentaries

by Barry Hampe

The classic guide to making documentaries, now revised and expanded for today's filmmaker

The second edition of Making Documentary Films and Videos fully updates the popular guidebook that has given readers around the world the knowledge and confidence to produce their first documentary film. It traces two main approaches―recording behavior and re-creating past events―and shows you how to be successful at each. Covering all the steps from concept to completion, with chapters on visual evidence; documentary ethics; writing for documentaries; budgeting; assembling a crew; film and sound recording; casting and directing actors and nonactors; and editing for the audience, this book can help you successfully bring to life the documentary you want to make.
The second edition includes
• a discussion of truth, "reality," and honesty in the current
filmmaking environment
• new advice on how to get started in documentary filmmaking
• an expanded section on researching and writing the proposal,
treatment, and script
• an exhaustive list of resources

"Practical planning advice, the importance of documentary ethics, budgeting and putting together a crew." - The Guardian

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Reference, Media Tie In, Documentaries, Art

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1997

Reviews

[Natalie]

A great book for any beginning documentarian. It is also useful as a review for experienced filmmakers. Hampfe writes in a very compelling and informative way, and the book is organized into clear categories. He also goes beyond the how of making a documentary and examines some of the controversies around the portrayal of truth in the genre.

[Ammar Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

من الكتب القلييلة جدا عن صناعة الأفلام اللي بتتسم بالشمولية والحرفية ويبدو ان الكاتب بذل اهتمام كبير جدا بالكتاب برغم انحيازه ضد بعض المخرجين وأفلامهم زي مايكل موور إلا ان الكتاب في إفادة كبيرة ، وكذلك الترجمة في الحقيقة من المرات القليلة اللي ترجمة كتاب متخصص تكون رائعة بهذا القدر .

[Marie-jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only read the intro and have skipped to the editing section because I am about to edit a huge and important project, but I can already tell that this book is very different than other practical books about documentary filmmaking I have read. It does not talk down to you. It speaks to you at your level, and incorporates practical advice from the author/filmmakers own film and experience (without sounding haughty and over confident about his own work.) I am truly impressed and am going to try to read all of this before I work on my next film because it is invaluable. I read 5 pages of the editing section and already have 10 essential items I am adding to my to do list. Alright, back to reading!

[Anwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

11

[Mas Sine · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is was veryexciting book. i would recommend it to my class

[سالم الصنعاني · Rating 5 out of 5]

احاول فتح الكتاب ماقدوت

[عائشة عدلي]

Yes

[Nathanael Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book for a student.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a great overview of everything that goes into making a documentary film - if you happen to go back to the 90's.

That's not meant as a knock to this book, it's just plain fact. The portions of this book that discuss methods and choices that go into filming offer up fantastic coverage and suggestions. When it comes to deciding between film and video as your format, the book clearly shows its age.

Of course, I picked this edition up a week or two before I found an announcement of the updated edition, which will definitely rectify the dated information, pushing that edition to a 4 if not a 5 star selection.

[Jeff]

Every time I pick up this book I learn about how to make a documentary film. I have never made a documentary film but I would like to in the future. The way this book is written makes it easy to read. It is clear and informative without being clunky or distracting. Hampe has great things to say.

[Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly, in the end you have to do the actual work yourself. But this book will tell you how.

[Jessica peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of making documentary films so these books are always interesting to me.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not really much here!

[Brenda Cregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phew! Thank goodness I picked this up before too much footage was shot.

[Diana180]

#curriculum #journalism

[Twes Swis · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love it

[Zeddd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but repetitive. I didn't read ALL the chapters, but most of it.

[sean newhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful...

[Jon Shai · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is quite dated but is chalked full of useful information on the creation of a wholesome documentary.

[Ahmed Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

الااتبلا

[Mohamed Cherqaoui]

مممممههنخنصنيضح

[Youssif Mohi]

جيد