Description
Book SynopsisStates that although documentary history cannot be ignored, the genre needs to be understood as complex, multi-faceted, and influenced by a range of different contexts. This title describes the challenges of contemporary documentary by balancing theoretical discussion with use of material from Europe and North America and the developing world.
Trade Review"Brings the study of documentary up-to-date through a range of contemporary examples, which is particularly useful for journalism students who are interested in documentary practice, whilst offering historians of film and television an important contextual resource for understanding issues in documentary today."
Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television "Broad-ranging ... This book is undoubtedly recommended as an undergraduate textbooked, evidenced by its lucid exposition and easily accessible and clearly presented case studies; however, it nonetheless offers a useful account and summary of the key debates that surround and inform the terrain of the contemporary documentary."
Times Higher Education
"Jane Chapman's book offers students a clear introduction to some of the main questions and debates surrounding current documentary practice. Not only is the whole book developed around selected examples, it is informed throughout by the ethical, creative, and technological challenges of actually making films and programmes. Its strongly 'insider' viewpoint usefully complements the 'outsider' framings of most film and television studies."
John Corner, University of Liverpool
"In a clear, comprehensive style, Jane Chapman has vividly laid out the key issues in documentary. With attention to historical trends and theoretical debates this book will be of enormous use to scholars and practitioners of documentary. This book should find a wide audience among students and viewers of documentary."
Paula Rabinowitz, University of Minnesota
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1. Definitions - Issues and Influences.
2. Representation - Problems, Purpose
3. Objectivity/Subjectivity - Pursuing truth?
4. Censorship - whose world is it?
5. Authorial Voice - means of expression
6. Reflexivity - techniques and reflection
7. Audience - a world view or viewing the world?
8. Ethics - shifting boundaries
Conclusions: continuities and change
Bibliography
Filmography
