Description
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA masterful deconstruction of documentary techniques, with impressive original research. This book is recommended for everyone interested in how documentaries are made, especially students in film production and critical studies. * Mark Freeman, Professor Emeritus, School of Theatre, Television, and Film, San Diego State University *
Jacob Brica's brilliant new book is a thoughtful and thorough exploration of the grammar of documentary. This is a must read --for filmmakers and viewers alike-- as Bricca deconstructs the tools and tricks of our trade. As someone who has been editing documentaries for years, I found that every word of this book rings true. * Kate Amend, ACE *
Deftly combining practical experience and scholarly sources, How Documentaries Work is an ideal primer for introducing students to documentary practices and conventions...Essential. All readers. * Choice *
Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: RAW MATERIALS Verité Interviews Archival Reenactments and Animation Voiceover Narration Title Cards CHAPTER 2: MEANING Creating Meaning Within the Interview Frame Creating Visual Uniformity with Interviews Creating Meaning with Objects in the Frame Creating Meaning with Words Interview-As-Narration Creating Meaning with Verité Open vs. Closed Meanings CHAPTER 3: NARRATIVE The Setup Position The Crisis Moment Producing the Narrative Turn Producing the Narrative Turn with Juxtaposition Micro-Narratives Callbacks Non-Narrative Documentaries CHAPTER 4: PRESENCE FRAMING Observational Framing The Semi-Staged Scene The Participatory Frame Narration and the Participatory Frame Voice of God Narration Altering the Outcome The Reflexive Frame CHAPTER 5: FLOW Unifying with Sound Pivots and Pauses Juxtaposition Collective Memory CHAPTER 6: TIME The Experience of Time in Verité The Interleaving of Scenes Use of the Present Tense CHAPTER 7: TITLES Naming Characters Conferring Legitimacy Look and Feel Subtitles CHAPTER 8: ARCHIVAL Archival Treatments Manipulation of Newspaper Assets Historical Shorthand CHAPTER 9: SOUND Sweetening Foley Time and Space Framing Presence with Sound: The Cave & For Sama CHAPTER 10: MUSIC Fear of Music Film vs. Television Verité vs. Expository, Interviews vs. Archival Tone Procedural Music CONCLUSION The Brave New World of Hybridity in Documentary Acknowledgements Appendix: List of Films and Television Shows Cited
