Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-189) and index.

The documentary tradition and getting started -- The 12 basic elements of a documentary -- Design and aesthetics -- Researching and writing a documentary proposal -- Production equipment and decisions -- Your storytellers : interviews and conversations -- Shooting creative and effective b-roll -- Editing and postproduction -- Ethics, fair use, and the law -- Funding your documentary and connecting to your community -- Why we do it.

"A complete guide to all phases of documentary production, this is an essential handbook for student filmmakers and professional documentarians alike. Written in concise language and easy reference, the text provides a progression of real-world learning skills, including organization and design. Also itemized is the necessary equipment, with technical information for universal comprehension of equipment and application"--Provided by publisher.