The Art of the Documentary: Ten Conversations with Leading Directors, Cinematographers, Editors, and Producers (Voices That Matter) (Paperback)

by Megan Cunningham (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"It’s an intimate and insightful glimpse into both the art and craft of docs and a must-read for filmmakers serious about creating non-fiction work."
--Filmmakers Alliance Magazine

"This is a  must-have book if you have even a passing interest in documentary films.  We’re giving it a permanent--and prominent--home on our  bookshelf.”
--Camcorder & Computer Video Magazine


Product Description
Have you noticed the renaissance of documentary filmmaking going on around you? Some are inspired by the work of legendary directors and cinematographers such as the Maysles brothers, D.A. Pennabaker & Chris Hegedus, Errol Morris, or Ken Burns. Others follow their own idols or simply set their own course. Inexpensive video camera equipment and video editing software have helped fuel this new wave of truth-tellers, bringing the tools of the craft within reach of amateurs and students, as well as independent journalists and filmmakers on a budget.

In The Art of the Documentary, the directors, editors, cinematographers, and producers behind today's most thought-provoking nonfiction films reveal the thought processes, methods, and collaborations that have guided their efforts- from project conception to developing, producing, shooting, editing, and releasing some of the finest documentary films of recent decades.

This richly illustrated volume, which will appeal to professional and aspiring filmmakers, as well as documentary enthusiasts, features conversations with director Ken Burns (The Civil War, Jazz, Baseball), director/cinematographer D A Pennebaker (Dont Look Back, The War Room), director/cinematographer Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens), director Errol Morris (The Fog of War, The Thin Blue Line), director Chris Hegedus (Startup.com, Down from the Mountain), editor Larry Silk (Pumping Iron, Wild Man Blues), cinematographer Buddy Squires (The Civil War, Ram Dass, Fierce Grace), director/producer Lauren Lazin (Tupac: Resurrection, Journey of Dr. Dre), editor/director Paula Heredia (The Vagina Monologues, In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01), director/cinematographer Kirsten Johnson (Fahrenheit 9/11, Innocent Until Proven Guilty), and editor Geof Bartz (Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth, He's Having a Baby). And with contributions by: Sheila Nevins, President of HBO Documentaries and HBO Family, Carol Dysinger, film editor and professor, NYU Film School, and Haskell Wexler, cinematographer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (June 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321316231
• ISBN-13: 978-0321316233
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #199,937 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting reading, July 27, 2005

By	J. Rubin (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Consider this book a master class in documentary filmmaking.

Megan Cunningham's interviews are incredibly engaging - she manages to at once explore each documentarians' creative process, AND discuss how these various filmmakers achieved their success, AND to discuss specific films in-depth AND to elicit the filmmakers' fascinating views on theoretical issues such as what constitutes "cinema verite" or whether documentaries can be considered art.

Furthermore, Cunningham's book is wonderfully readable and well organized (and full of photos!). I especially enjoyed how Cunningham devoted equal space to such luminaries as Errol Morris and lesser known but equally powerful documentarians such as Lauren Lazin. The book manages to seamlessly cover more than 50 years of American filmmaking and it's wonderful to have the thoughts of multiple generations of directors, editors, and cinematographers compiled in one volume.

Whether you're a fan of documentaries, an aspiring documentary filmmaker, or unfamiliar with the entire field and would like to learn more, "The Art of the Documentary" is the book for you.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten Interviews - a must read, July 18, 2005

By	Philip Hodgetts "Serial Entrepreneur" (Burbank, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Right from the introductory discussion of whether or not a Documentary film is really "Art" 'The Art of the Documentary' is an absorbing read. Author Megan Cunningham gets us inside the minds of a very diverse range of filmmakers who share little in common, other than that they are driven to to make factual films.

Each of the filmmakers speaks with their own voice and we share the passion they have for their craft. Megan draws them out without getting in their way.

I'd class this as a "must read" for anyone who has even a passing interest in documentary filmmaking. Even an avid viewer of documentary films will gain insight into the minds of the filmmakers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, July 25, 2005

By	Heather Coll "everyday reader" (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am about to run out to get my kids but we got Megan Cunningham's book in the mail, and last night, exhausted, I picked it up to check it out and was immediately so impressed with it - seriously, the lay out, the photos, and everything. Then, I began to read it, and wound up just totally getting sucked into the interviews. I got through the first 2 interviews already when I was originally only going to take a quick peek and then actually begin reading it this weekend. It is so well done! I love reading it, and I know nothing about docs etc.. But it brought up SO many perspectives that I never would have thought of that pertain not only to docs, but all art forms, and just life in general. I love the questions she asks, and I can now see why it was such an honor to work with these folks who she interviewed. Amazing, and obviously so brilliant. Wow. That is all I have to say. I am no book critic, and I rarely read books other than those related to my work, but I really enjoy this book and have already learned a ton from it. I can't wait to read the rest and for my husband to read it too.