Directing the Documentary

Now in its fourth edition, Directing The Documentary is a no-nonsense guide by veteran documentary director Michael Rabinger, who has directed or edited more than 35 films including many documentaires for the BBC. A comprehensive resource, Directing The Documentary covers issues of aesthetics and authorship, how to develop one's artistic identity while staying true to the source material, skills of screencraft, issues to keep a close eye on in preproduction, production, and postproduction, the educational background needed to direct documentaries and how to go about getting work in one's chosen field, and more. From knowing when to use narration and when to be aware of its drawbacks, to being acutely aware of schedule logistics with respect to different types and lengths of documentaries, to important legal issues to remain aware of - not the least of which is the personal release form in which signatory individuals allow one to make public the material that has been shot - Directing The Documentary is an absolute "must-have" for any would-be nonfiction movie director. An in-depth resource that spares no detail, positive or negative, about the highlights (and headaches) of documentary direction.

An excellent book, especially for those who are new in the field. Among other things, Michael Rabiger guides you through a brief history of the documentary genre, helps you discover your creative identity, acquaintes you with the film vocabulary, and introduces you to the genre through a variety of projects that you are encouraged to undertake. Directing the Documentary is definitely a textbook (no wonder it's one of the "must read" books at the Department of TV Documentary in Goldsmith's College in London) and Michael Rabiger is an excellent teacher. Lacking the pretentiousness of many other teachers, he uses simple language to describe various aspects of the documentary and never underestimates his reader / student. A lover of the genre himself, he knows how to make you feel confident for having chosen the documentary as a career. He never patronizes you and all the advice that he gives is given with a friendly and generous tone. Mr Rabiger is a thoughtful and sensitive teacher, but also an excellent author, or "storyteller," as he prefers to call the documentarist. His words flow, like in a good novel, making you want to read on and on, while at the same time they are so pregnant with meaning that they make you stop and think about them. Having read his book, and being a student myself, I would like to say a warm "thank you" to Mr Rabiger for his sensitivity and generosity as a teacher.

Rabinger as a writer has a superbly no-nonsense approach to his subject matter, and the book covers every aspect of the life of the documentary film. He explores the key elements of creating the the work (or body of work) and fits a series of practical steps and tips for each element. These elements include: Historical Background, Preproduction, Production, Post-Production, Technical Basics, Projects for Developing Skills, and Career Track. The appendices and the annotated bibliography are very useful, and the book is worth the price just for these additions. Directing the Documentary is an essential for a student of film.

This is probably the best book on directing and producing a documentary film that I've come across.  A lot of books on filmmaking seem to be written by people who've never really made any films but can rehash what others have written on the subject and sell their advice.  Rabiger's text is different, this is a text written by a seasoned documentary filmmaker that makes every chapter an insightful and useful reading experience.  It may price a bit more than other documentary texts but it's worth the money spent in what you'll learn over the other books

This guide gives an excellent, step by step, overview of film making in general. It examines in detail the three stages of production and gives good examples of useful forms for the organization of production. The pre-production section was most valuable. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the making of documentary films.