Synopses & Reviews
Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos is the perfect text for students of filmmaking who would like to make a documentary. Barry Hampe, who has made more than 150 documentary films and videos, traces the two main approaches to documentary--recording behavior and re-creating past eventsand shows students how to do both effectively. Covering all the steps, from conceptualization to completion, the book includes chapters on visual evidence; documentary ethics; why reality is not enough; budgeting; and casting, crew, and equipment selection.
Barry Hampe is a writer-director and film/video teacher who has made more than 150 documentaries and information videos. He has also owned production companies in Philadelphia, Honolulu, and Las Vegas.
Hampe, a longtime veteran of the business of documentary film and video production, here traces the two main approaches to documentaryrecording behavior and re-creating past eventsand shows students how to do both effectively. Covering all the steps, from conceptualization to completion, the book includes chapters on visual evidence; documentary ethics; why reality is not enough; budgeting; and casting, crew, and equipment selection.
“Clear, informative, and a valuable resource that combines professional expertise with personal experience.”Betsy McLane, Ph.D., Executive Director, International Documentary Association
"A thoroughly researched and informative guide for new documentary makers."Pat Mitchell, President, Turner Original Productions
"Barry Hampe's Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos is a road map for all those wanting to make a documentary. Such a book has been needed for so long . . . There is information here that cannot be found anywhere elseparticularly the section on visual evidence."Jeannette Paulson, Creative Director, Hawaii International Film Festival
"This is one of the stronger documentary texts I've ever read (and I've read them all). Well constructed and easy to follow, while providing strong information. I look forward to using it in my Field Documentary class."Frank Barnas, Director of Student Productions, Greenspun School of Communication, University of Nevada Las Vegas
"I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Hampe's narrative style is clear and concise with just the right amount of humor. While acknowledging the importance of technical expertise, he focuses on those aspects of filmmaking craft that create compelling stories. Careful reading by first-time filmmakers will allow them to avoid pitfalls many of us have made. Investing a few hours of time will pay many dividends to Mr. Hampe's readers."Clark Bunting, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Animal Planet, Discovery Networks
"Fascinating and very thoroughcovers everything one needs to know to make a documentary."Linda Seger, author of Creating Unforgetable Characters
"Barry Hampe has written the definitive guide-map through the documentary production 'minefield.' His step-by-step simplicity makes the book must-reading for not only novice practitioners but for reality storytellers of every experience level."Stanley H. Moger, President, SFM Entertainment
Review
"Clear, informative, and a valuable resource that combines professional expertise with personal experience."--Betsy McLane, Ph.D., Executive Director, International Documentary Association
"A thoroughly researched and informative guide for new documentary makers." --Pat Mitchell, President, Turner Original Productions
Synopsis
Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos is the perfect text for students of filmmaking who would like to make a documentary. Barry Hampe, who has made more than 150 documentary films and videos, traces the two main approaches to documentary--recording behavior and re-creating past events—and shows students how to do both effectively. Covering all the steps, from conceptualization to completion, the book includes chapters on visual evidence; documentary ethics; why reality is not enough; budgeting; and casting, crew, and equipment selection.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 326-327) and index. Filmography: p. 319-325.
About the Author
Barry Hampe, writer-director and film/video teacher has made more than 150 documentaries and information videos and has owned production companies in Philadelphia, Honolulu, and Las Vegas.