Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers [Paperback]

Sheila Curran Bernard (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240805399 | ISBN-13: 978-0240805399 | Publication Date: November 14, 2003

As the market for documentaries expands, so does the challenge to create memorable, compelling films. Story and structure are the most important (and least expensive) tools available. This guide shows how to make stronger, more compelling documentaries through improved storytelling techniques. It offers a writerly perspective to filmmakers at every stage of production, from concept and treatment to shooting and postproduction. It is intended for the novice as well as the experienced filmmaker and is applicable to a wide variety of documentary styles and forms.

Documentary Storytelling fills a critical void on the bookshelf, offering an in-depth guide to story and structure as they apply not to Hollywood screenplays but to documentary films. Story is what turns a subject or an idea into a film; it's what keeps an audience watching a topic they might never have thought would interest them. Written for anyone working in documentary, this book offers practical advice for all stages of production. It's filled with real-world examples drawn from the author's own career and from the experiences of some of today's top documentarians.

*Offers in-depth analysis and tools for applying concepts of story and structure to documentary material
*Interviews with well-known filmmakers give unique perspectives on nonfiction filmmaking
*Covers a wide range of documentary styles

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It takes you through the fundamentals of storytelling and narrative structure from the three-act structure to developing separate narrative threads in a lively and articulate way." - Focus magazine

'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. It succeeds in covering every aspect without belabouring any. Not only does Bernard write from the viewpoint of an award-winning filmmaker (she's a writer, director and producer), but the last 100 pages include extensive interviews with a wide range of acclaimed documentarians.'
- Canadian Screenwriter Magazine

'Bernard...provides filmmakers or students with the many questions they need to ask themselves to arrive at decisions needed when approaching each segment of a project. The book is particularly outstanding this way.'
- Journalism & Mass Communication Educator


'Bernard is keenly aware of the power of persuasive images, and her insistence on complexity and integrity is a consistent theme throughout the book.'
- The Independent

"What a valuable aid to documentary filmmakers. The importance of a topic won't cut it if the story isn't told well and Bernard's book cuts right to the chase."
- Paul Stekler, producer/director of "George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire"

"Sheila Curran Bernard's Documentary Storytelling is an essential, pragmatic, common-sense approach to making non-fiction films for the student and/or first-time filmmaker, based on the author's deep awareness of documentary film history and theory, and her intimate knowledge of how today's most important documentarians formulate their works."
- Gerald Peary, film critic, The Boston Phoenix

"Sheila Curran Bernard's ability to dissect a wide range of narrative approaches and explore the elements that make dramatic stories so compelling
make this guide invaluable for documentary filmmakers as well as anyone who uses information and evidence to portray real events. But the value of this book goes beyond its service to story tellers; the consumers of documentary films and all journalism can benefit by more fully understanding the narrative structures that we all use to construct order and meaning in the world."
- Pennee Bender, Media Director, Center for Media and Learning, City University of New York, The Graduate Center

Book Description

The only book that shows how to strengthen a documentary using storytelling techniques

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 297 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (November 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240805399
• ISBN-13: 978-0240805399
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, writer, and consultant, with expertise in high-quality, nonfiction media storytelling, including (but not limited to) the ethical use of dramatic structure to enhance the rigor and appeal documentary work. Credits on projects for national broadcast, theatrical release, and museum and classroom use. For more information see wwww.documentarystorytelling.com and www.archivalstorytelling.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hugely Helpful, May 5, 2005

By 

Another Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers (Paperback)

This is a very well written, very practical and very useful book. It's easy to forget that making documentaries is not about the coolest new camera or the new version of FinalCut Pro. Making docs is about telling stories and that's what this book is about as well. It's simple: Read this book and you'll be a better story teller. I've always questioned the usefulness of books for teaching storytelling, but this one is so practical and straightforward that it proves that books can do the trick. It's surprisingly good - go for it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear & Concise, March 23, 2006

By 

P. Strom "BDEsquire" (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers (Paperback)

This book was great for me as I am very new to documentary filmmaking. It was methodical but without being boring and Ms. Bernard has a very clear and deep understanding of what makes documentaries work and not work. Her experience shows throughout and having actual documentaries as reference points was tremendously helpful. I recommend this book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and insightful - A must read!, August 21, 2005

By 

Joel Scheraga (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers (Paperback)

Bernard's professional expertise shines through in this unique book. The book is balanced, insightful, and thorough. Bernard examines a wide range of filmmakers, bringing a critical and perceptive eye to their work. A must read for anyone interested in learning more about storytelling, structure and other essential aspects of documentary filmmaking. A practical and readable guide that is also the perfect text for upper-level college courses. Highly recommended!