The documentary diaries : working experiences of a non-fiction filmmaker / Alan Rosenthal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rosenthal, Alan, 1936- author.

Series:

Manchester Film Studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Documentary films--Authorship.

Documentary films.

Documentary films--Production and direction.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vii, 280 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Manchester : Manchester University Press, 2016.

Language Note:

In English.

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Summary:

This book shows what happens from the birth of the idea until a film is completed. This means covering all the hurdles, and the bumps, and other obstacles along the way, including inspiration, proposal writing, finance and marketing. The book shows how the author developed, produced, and worked on seven films. Four are major documentaries, the fifth a feature-length docudrama, and two are works in progress. All have and had multiple problems. None of the completed films were easy to make. The book discusses the pros and cons of working with partners, and shows what happens when there is harmony, or where things break down through disagreements. The problem of raising a budget comes up in all the films, and is discussed most thoroughly in the book. The book also addresses the difficulties of working internationally, and shows how infinite patience and stubbornness can be required when working with a broadcast station. At the end of several of the chapters the author has also added a short section called 'Production notes.' These notes usually amplify and explain further some central problem raised in the chapter. One of the chapters in the book deals with the specifics of making one particular family film. The notes which follow, however, tell people about making family film in general.

Contents:

Introduction

1. Learning the ropes

2. 'Married to the Marimba'

Production notes: budgets

3. 'Stalin's Last Purge'

Production notes: writing narration

4. Inspiration

5. 'Adolf Eichmann: The Secret Memoirs'

Production notes: the production contract

6. 'The Brink of Peace'

Production notes: writing the proposal

7. 'The First Fagin'

8. Pitch perfect

9. 'Beyond the Velvet Curtain' 10. Best advice

11. 'Hopes and Dreams'

Production notes: the family film

Appendix: Production details

Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 10 Apr 2026).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781526109804

1526109808

9781784997571

1784997579

OCLC:

964553292