Customer Reviews

Directing the Documentary, Fifth Edition

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Focal Press puts out a number of books related to fine- and digital art, Feature, Independent and Documentary films as well as Animation Techniques. However, one of their best titles that touch upon all of the above-mentioned categories is a recently released book called Directing The Documentary, The Fifth Edition by Michael Rabiger.

There are many "how to" books, Rabiger reminds us, but there are philosophical and structural differences in making a Feature (fictitious) film and a Documentary film.

For instance, the Feature is a work that is constantly striving to be consistent with a pre-existent script. And, the goal of the director, crew and actors is to be faithful to the written word. A Documentary, on the other hand, starts off with a question and the director, crew and guests attempt to capture future, undetermined events in a relentless pursuit of The Truth. The Documentary, therefore, is essentially the process by which an answer is obtained.

These distinctions are important because it influences how the film would be made, the costs incurred, the manner in which footage is used, types of video, audio and perhaps, digital editing and processing time. There's also issues dealing with "rights" that cannot be known until footage is shot.

The book, Directing The Documentary, lays out in the most minutest of detail the basics and some advanced theories on creating a marketable documentary feature. The text is broken down into two (2) "books." One, "The Fundamentals" is an overview of creating a documentary by examining theories behind pursuing the project, the use of audio and video tools, working with cast and crew, budgetary issues, post-production tools and festivals. The other, Book 2, "Advanced Theories," is just that, an in depth look at aesthetics, production issues (pre and post), the script, narration, music and editing structural problems as well as some thoughts about starting a career as a documentary filmmaker.

This is one of the most valuable books on the subject of filmmaking and documentary filmmaking in particular that anyone who is remotely interested would want to own.

It is my sincerest pleasure to recommend this book without any hesitation.

I've owned the third edition of "Directing the Documentary" for years, so I was elated to receive the new edition. I taught video editing at a major university for many years and received a lot of production books to review. After reading through them once, most of them went on the bookshelf perhaps to be cracked open now and again as a reference book. But from the time I first opened it, "Directing the Documentary" has been on my desk with the two or three other production "bibles" I can't live without.

I sometimes take it with me to lunch and flip through it for inspiration, of which it contains plenty. Let me stress that this is not a technical manual. Yes, it does include a great deal of "nuts & bolts" information, but it's strength lies in the fundamental concept upon which Mr. Rabiger builds the book: making documentaries is an artform. Yes, it can be very technical and there's a lot to know and understand, but that technical knowledge is a foundation upon which you can, and should, create art. It's that core, of which Mr. Rabiger never loses sight, that makes "Directing the Documentary" so very different from most production books.

I have recommended this book to complete novices (I just recommended it the other day to a friend who is going to Mongolia for a year and wants to take a video camera to document her experiences) and to people who already have some experience in documentary production. Every single person to whom I've recommended this book, who has purchased it, has thanked me for turning them onto it.

Some books are essential. "Directing the Documentary" is definitely at the top of that category.

To give a full and detailed review of this book would be an impossible task. It is one of the most detailed books dedicated to the process of a craft that I have ever seen. For those people who have a great idea in their minds and are convinced that their documentary vision will just have to be made, you HAVE to read this book first.
I have a minor in film studies, and this book covers more details than all of the text books I've ever read about film making. Everything from the cameras, to the sound, to the locations, to the language. And that's just the beginning. This is one of those books that, as a film maker, I could see carrying around and using on a daily basis to the point where it become so dog-eared and overused that you'd have to buy another one because of its importance. Reading this book has made me more interested in the process of film making, not just as an art, but as a quest! You really begin to appreciate all of those great documentaries you've seen over the years once you really delve into what makes them successful in the first place.
Another great thing about this book is that author Michael Rabinger makes it a very readable experience. While most text books, and that's what this is for the most part, ramble on and on in a very stale style, Rabinger doesn't talk down to you or accommodate his readers. He suspects that the reader knows something about film already, and guides you along necessary paths in order to understand the realities of documentary film making.
I would unabashedly recommend this book to anyone who considers themselves a film buff, whether you're a film maker or not. EVERY possible angle is covered here, and it's very accessible as well.

I can't imagine a more comprehensive book on documentary directing. This textbook like book will take the absolute beginner and teach her everything she needs to know to direct a documentary.

The fundamentals which are discussed in the first half of the book will take you from developing your idea to preproduction to production and on to post production, teaching you everything you need to know along the way. What I got out of that was that your idea is paramount. No matter how good you and your equipment are, a bad idea isn't going anywhere.

The second part of the book covers advanced ideas like the director's or storyteller's point of view, style, values, ethics, optics, how to organize your crew and so much more. There really is a lot to learn, but if you're like me, you have a camera, you're willing to travel to make your film and you feel like a sponge, ready to soak up everything to make your dream come true, then this is the book for you.

I was scared to tackle this book, as I was sure I would be overwhelmed with too much info. I am far from directing anything but mini films at this point. But we are living in a tube-nation, and this is the perfect place to start to make sure you go in the right direction.

To be honest, to me, this is more of a reference tool than a book I could ever read page by page. I have a lot of questions and notes in my head, and found this to be an easy to navigate guide to getting answers. With answers came more questions, and before you know it, I have post-its, tabs and notes all over the place.

This is so much more than a book on one subject of a Documentary. It covers every step that is involved. From preparation to expenses, restrictions, deductions... was not expecting this plethora of coverage.

Most importantly, the book is inspiring. You feel like your thoughts that were out of reach are right in front of you. You get a heavy dose of reality with things you never considered would be part of this journey, and soon you will be creating a film crew and working with people who believe in your vision. There is so much involved with dealing with legal aspects, certifications, permits, royalty and copyright issues. Plenty of focus on audio and musical elements as well.

So, don't be intimidated by the product. Embrace the book as an open door. I look forward to seeing what comes from this for me... and you!

Bridging the gap between a tutorial expression of principles and a genuine how-to checklist is never easy, and it cannot be done literally. When a book comes as close to achieving this elusive goal as this one does, it's worth using, relying upon, and learning from.

Among its imperfections are too many grammatical errors, too much of the author's personal politics, and a lamentable repetition of the age-old mistaken belief that Wagner wrote "Also sprach Zarathustra". It was Strauss.

I have often fantasized about directing movies, so when I got a chance to review this book, I jumped at it. And I'm glad I did. There was much here I didn't know and hadn't thought of and even some things that were hard for me to get at first. But I looked at the book as sort of a journey. You know, a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step kind of deal.

The book is broken into two sections called Books. Book 1 deals with the fundamentals of directing and Book 2 deals with advanced issues. Absolutely everything about directing a documentary is covered in this book, in fact this is a virtual classroom in a book. If you can work through this, have a lot of ambition and a bit of luck, you could actually find yourself behind the camera one day and if you're really lucky and really ambitious, you might even be able to earn a living at it.

I am in college now preparing to become a High School teacher in English. One of the new State requirements is to prepare media literate students who are prepared for the 21st century onslaught of media production as well as the discriminating consumer of mass media. I chose this book as a guide in a college assignment where groups of students create certain types of media. This book was the perfect choice to aid in media production. The author begins with the basics and elaborates on more and more complex material as the book progresses.
Michael Rabiger, the author, begins with the history of the genre. Documentaries are not "real" life autobiographies but works of fiction with built in biases as well. How's that for honesty! The book gets a little bit political (big supporter of Michael Moore), so be prepared, but it doesn't take away from the mass of information. Rabiger discusses creativity too. It's all here. The production side is the meat and potatoes of this book, and Rabiger's deep experience is what makes this book so privileged. There is nothing that isn't discussed from how to test equipment, which equipment is road ready and which not, and he, of course, elaborates on the proper use of the lights, sound, and video equipment.
The all important conventions and rules necessary to make sure the production is pleasing to view and hear is all here too such as the flow of movement on the screen and the correct camera placement for line of sight viewing.
It doesn't end there. Rabiger discusses film schools too, what to expect from them etc. Students will love that aspect.
The level of experience that the author has gives the reader confidence. The ease of reading due to the clarity and logic of the text gives the reader hope. After reading and using segments, the factuality of the text gives the reader self-esteem because of the assurance of success.
If your a budding director and want to create your own documentary (especially if you don't even have the equipment yet), run to buy this book. If you have dabbled in media creation but just not the documentary, then, you too should well consider buying this book. You will have a finished product in no time. This book is light theory, only where it counts, for it is mostly a hands on practical book on creating and "Directing the Documentary"! And, as I stated earlier, it is a great book for us lay people too, those of us who dabble in the art out of neccessity for school (or any organizational) projects.
Let me end by noting that the equipment covered in this text ranges in dates to the most recent. I am definatly not an expert on this, but it is clear that one area in which the editions have changed is the constant updating of equipment in a rapidly changing field.
I hope this helps guide your choice.
Michael

Directing the Documentary is a six hundred page bug squasher with intricate details on every aspect of making a documentary, yet it is written in a fluid, accessible style. The range of topics considered, explained, and analyzed is stunning: from developing ideas for documentaries and figuring out a narrative style, to choosing equipment, to composing shots, to gaining releases from subjects.

Despite this breadth and depth, you can easily dip into any part of the book and find fascinating insights into the world of film making.

This is an essential gift for any aspiring film maker.

I have rarely been as impressed with the breadth of knowledge, skill of presentation, and deftness of touch of a book in ANY field as I am with Michael Rabiger's Directing the Documentary. It's a major accomplishment.

Recommended without any reservations. It would be a bargain at twice the price and I think it makes a fine gift for any young person dabbling or thinking about dabbling in documentary making (or simply film making in general). Film students and journalists will doubtless find it valuable as well.

This is a thick book that is going to take me a lot of time to digest. At one time I wanted to go into acting, but I had to come to the realization that I didn't have any talent. I had my shot, but after I saw the screen test, I knew my future wasn't going to be in front of the camera. Then I thought about directing, but life got in the way.

I'm older now, but age doesn't wipe away "what if", so I've been pouring through this book and the more I delve into it, the more I think that I could go back to school, maybe take a chance. I'll sure be armed with plenty of info, thanks to this book, which really is a documentary director wannabe's Bible.

I've worked my way through the chapter on lighting, and have learned a lot and now I'm reading about location sound. There is so much to learn, but it's all here and though this book could easily be used as a textbook, it's not boring. And the website is a big help. If you've ever entertained the idea of directing, this book is a good place to start.