Sign-In
Cart
Directing the Documentary
Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781032789286
Publisher: Routledge
Published: Jun 15 2026
Pages: 482
Weight: 2.42
Height: 1.13 Width: 7.00 Depth: 10.00
Language: English
Directing the Documentary is the definitive book on the documentary form. Focusing on the hands-on work needed to make your concept a reality, it covers the filmmaking process from top to bottom, providing in-depth lessons on every stage of production from idea development, pre-production, production, and post-production, while also addressing the nuances of documentary aesthetics, ethics, and career-building.
The 8th edition's new, user-friendly structure integrates what were previously divided introductory and advanced concepts into a single, unified volume that supports both comprehensive study and selective reference. It moves fluidly from context and concept to planning, production, editing, aesthetics, and professional practice--forming an organized and comprehensive guide that mirrors the filmmaker's own evolution of process, understanding, and vocation. This edition features a wider diversity of films and directors, inclusive language and terminology, an expanded discussion of documentary ethics, and updated coverage of documentary distribution practices.
By combining expert advice on the storytelling process, the technical aspects of filmmaking, and commentary on the philosophical underpinnings of the art, this book provides the practical and holistic understanding you need to become a highly regarded, original, and ethical contributor to the genre. Ideal for both aspiring and established filmmakers, this book has it all.
1 different editions
Also available
Also in
Film Studies
Visions of Japanese Modernity: Articulations of Cinema, Nation, and Spectatorship, 1895-1925
Gerow, Aaron
Paperback
Dreaming of Cinema: Spectatorship, Surrealism, and the Age of Digital Media
Lowenstein, Adam
Paperback
Ancient Rome at the Cinema: Story and Spectacle in Hollywood and Rome
Theodorakopoulos, Elena
Paperback
What Have They Built You to Do?: The Manchurian Candidate and Cold War America
Jacobson, Matthew Frye
Gonzalez, Gaspar
Paperback
The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures: A True Life Murder Mystery from the Birth of the Movies
Paul Fischer
Paperback
Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation
Napier, S.
Paperback
The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg--And the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema
Fischer, Paul
Hardcover
Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism (1968-1980)
Johnson, Eleanor
Hardcover
Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum
Fox, Michael J.
Fortenberry, Nelle
Hardcover
Partially Devoured: How Night of the Living Dead Saved My Life and Changed the World
Kraus, Daniel
Hardcover
Hollywood Babylon: The Legendary Underground Classic of Hollywood's Darkest and Best Kept Secrets
Anger, Kenneth
Paperback
Star Wars Dad Jokes Strike Back: The Best Worst Jokes and Puns from a Galaxy Far, Far Away. . . .
Knox, Kelly
Hardcover
Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror
Cullins, Ashley
Paperback
The World of Black Film: A Journey Through Cinematic Blackness in 100 Films with a Foreword by John Akomfrah
Clark, Ashley
Hardcover
Laika: The Magic Behind a Stop-Motion Dream Factory: Two Decades of Groundbreaking Animation from Coraline to Wildwood
Inguanzo, Ozzy
Hardcover
Disney: Winnie the Pooh: The Hundred-Acre Wood Cookbook: Family-Friendly Recipes Featuring Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, and Most o
Tarpy, Liz
Asmus, James
Jao, Vivian
Hardcover
The Magic of Minalima: Celebrating the Graphic Design Studio Behind the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Films
Minalima
Denton, Nell
Hardcover
Studio Ghibli Origami: Unofficial Papercraft Projects to Create Totoro, Ponyo, Jiji, and More!
Editions, Insight
Paperback
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Official Cookbook: Recipes from the Four Nations
Dorsey, Jenny
Hardcover
Disney Dreams Collection Thomas Kinkade Studios Disney Princess Coloring Book
Kinkade, Thomas
Paperback
Lucas Wars: The True Story of George Lucas and the Creation of Star Wars
Hopman, Laurent
Roche, Renaud
Hardcover
Black Film: A History of Black Representation and Participation in the Movies
Walker, David F.
Hardcover
House of Psychotic Women: Expanded Edition: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films
Janisse, Kier-La
Paperback
Godzilla: The First 70 Years: The Official Illustrated History of the Japanese Productions
Ryfle, Steve
Godziszewski, Ed
Hardcover
Star Wars Dad Jokes: The Best Worst Jokes and Puns from a Galaxy Far, Far Away . . . .
Knox, Kelly
Hardcover
Godzilla: The Encyclopedia: Shinji Nishikawa Unravels the Depths of Godzilla
Nishikawa Shinji
Paperback
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride
Layden, Joe
Elwes, Cary
Paperback
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Station Wagon and Griswold Family Tree: With Sound!
Running Press
Paperback
Every Time a Bell Rings: The Legacy of It's a Wonderful Life, America's Most Beloved Holiday Film
Theisen, Lauren
St James, Emily
Hardcover
Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film - Updated Edition
Clover, Carol J.
Paperback
Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever
Singer, Matt
Hardcover
Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film
Pierce, Todd James
Hardcover
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Bestiary: A Definitive Guide to the Creatures of the Goblin King's Realm
Bende, S. T.
Hardcover
Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
Richau, Amy
Brooks, Dan
Crouse, Megan
Hardcover
Studio Ghibli Bento Cookbook: Unofficial Recipes Inspired by Spirited Away, Ponyo, and More!
Rossi, Barbara
Azuki
Hardcover
Nightmare Before Christmas: The Tiny Book of Jack Skellington
Insight Editions
Vitale, Brooke
Hardcover
They Kill People: Bonnie and Clyde, a Hollywood Revolution, and America's Obsession with Guns and Outlaws
Ellis, Kirk
Hardcover
Star Wars Vader's Little Princess: (Star Wars Kids Book, Star Wars Children's Book, Geek Dad Books)
Brown, Jeffrey
Hardcover
Dog's Day: The True Story of a Bank Robbery, Gay Liberation, and Toxic Love That Inspired a Hollywood Classic
Prigge, Matthew J.
Hardcover
Harry Potter: Make Your Own Chocolate Frogs: Silicone Chocolate Mold and Gift Box Set
Insight Editions
Paperback
Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook: Pacific Recipes Inspired by Motunui
Fiso, Monique
Monteith, Katie
Hardcover
Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life -- From How Green Was My Valley to Lassie to Planet of the Apes
Garza Bernstein, Samuel
Hardcover
Praise and Worship with Flags: Waging Spiritual Warfare in the Church and Home
Harris, Delores Hillsman
Paperback
Hitchcock and Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores That Changed Cinema
Smith, Steven C.
Hardcover
I Love K-Pop Coloring and Activity Book: For Fans of Kpop Demon Hunters, Bts, Blackpink, Katseye, and K-Pop Idols
Reel Ink Press
Paperback
Guillermo del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities [Reissue]: My Notebooks, Collections, and Other Obsessions
del Toro, Guillermo
Hardcover
Welcome to the Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious, the Blockbusters That Supercharged the World
Hertz, Barry
Hardcover
Brain Games - Horror Movies Word Search Puzzles: Do You Dare to Solve These 84 Puzzles?
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Star Wars: The Official Crochet Pattern Book: Crochet Your Way Through the Galaxy
Insight Editions
Parker, Leah
Hardcover
The Unofficial Kpop Demon Hunters Handbook: A Fan Guide & Activity Book That Slays
Gabbara, Princess
Paperback
Zen and Ghibli: Life Lessons for Lasting Happiness from the Legendary Studio
Suzuki, Toshio
Hardcover
Star Wars: The Mini Book of Lightsabers: (Lightsaber Collection, Lightsaber Guide, Gifts for Star Wars Fans)
Insight Editions
Hardcover
Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream
Lubin, David M.
Hardcover
There and Back Again: The Unofficial Oral History of the Lord of the Rings Films
Moore, Sam
Hardcover