2024 the best documentary films review

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(as of Dec 08, 2024 02:19:09 UTC - Details)

So you want to make a documentary, but think you don't have a lot of time, money, or experience? It's time to get down and dirty! Down and dirty is a filmmaking mindset. It's the mentality that forces you to be creative with your resources. It's about doing more with less. Get started NOW with this book and DVD set, a one-stop shop written by a guerrilla filmmaker, for guerrilla filmmakers. You will learn how to make your project better, faster, and cheaper. The pages are crammed with 500 full-color pictures, tips from the pros, resources, checklists and charts, making it easy to find what you need fast.

The DVD includes:
* Video and audio tutorials, useful forms, and interviews with leading documentary filmmakers like Albert Maysles (Grey Gardens), Sam Pollard (4 Little Girls), and others
* 50+ Crazy Phat Bonus pages with jump start charts, online resources, releases, storyboards, checklists, equipment guides, and shooting procedures

Here's just a small sampling of what's inside the book:
* Putting together a crew
* Choosing a camera
* New HDV and 24P cameras
* Shooting in rough neighborhoods
* Interview skills and techniques
* 10 ways to lower your budget
* Common production forms

Note: if you purchased an ebook version of The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide, the material from the DVD packaged with the print version of the book is now available on a website. Please visit:

www.focalpress.com/cw/artis-9780240809359

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Focal Press; 1st edition (September 10, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0240809351
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0240809359
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.75 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.25 x 0.75 x 10.25 inches
Reviewer: Scott FS
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I Really Like this Book.
Review: I was prepared not to like this book, since the praise was uniform and sometimes the hype just isn't justified. However, this case, I'm prepared to say, I was more impressed by the book than I thought I'd be.This is a book I've been carrying around so I have something good to read. I like to read when I have 'down time' and want to learn or be entertained. The fact that I don't want to leave it at home or at work, denying myself the pleasure of reading it when I'm not at that location, speaks to the fact that I'm getting a lot out of the book.'Shut Up and Shoot' isn't perfect. The author has definite prejudices when it comes to sound and lighting. He's not a fan of LED lighting, which is the up-and-coming trend in video production (it's bright, very portable, rugged, long-lived, and cost-competitive), and he doesn't like boom mikes for interviews, preferring lavalier mikes (in spite of the fact that shotgun mikes on booms saves the problem of miking two or three people, checking sound, and so on). He also has deeper pockets than a lot of people, suggesting that wireless mikes need to cost over $500 or so, since cheaper wireless lav mikes 'are a waste of money' (well, what if you don't have that money?).Despite my criticisms, I really, really liked this book. It shows you techniques and tricks that can make your production look like it cost a lot more than it did. He explains the advantages of using a mixer to record sound on your camcorder (saves the jiggling of the camera when you try to adjust sound levels). (However, he glosses over the thought that you probably should record sound on a field recorder instead of a camera entirely.)This is the type of guide you're going to have to keep handy, since reading it and re-reading it will answer many questions, and give you many ideas on solving problems.I'm never going to win any awards (and I'm not trying to), but I know that the tips on interviewing, for example, are going to help me immensely in the future. It's disheartening to realize I've been making rookie mistakes all along...Highly recommended. I found myself carrying the book from room to room, thinking, 'I really like this book.' Praise enough. Buy this book if you are just starting out, or if you have some videos under your belt. It's a great starting point, and you're going to save money avoiding mistakes from the onset. Five stars for 'Shut Up and Shoot'.

Reviewer: Rodney Varfley
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Filmmaking in Full Effect
Review: I have to say, this book answered every question I had floating around in my head, and also answered ones I haven't even yet conceived! Although, like the author said, you'll still need a few other types of books to add to your personal collection, I think this book will help you get started on the right foot without having to wait 4 years studying before even hitting the record button. This is perfect for people who love visuals on hand, yet do not feel like running to a TV or computer to watch a how-to video. I've only read one documentary filmmaking book at the library prior to this one, so I'm not Siskel & Ebert on the whole matter, but this book will further excite you to want to get into filmmaking.The book even has a section on potential cameras you should start with and a quick breakdown of each. Mind you, I was researching cameras for about a week before I settled on 2, and lo and behold, I was lucky that they were on the list of 10 or so cameras. Had I had the book prior to buying anything (I'm thinking I'm gonna have to return my cheap tripod now) I would have known already what to look for in video equipment.Easy to understand with plenty of practical, just-get-it-done-dude, encouragement and motivation. For those of you in the 90% born with a limited cash flow, the author understands where you're coming from.Down and dirty, and purchase worthy.

Reviewer: W. Powell
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A great book. Clear understandable information for the beginner
Review: Anthony Artiss writes the DV book for the "rest of us" who are new to the field and are struggling to connect terminology with application. He speaks in plain english and makes sense of arcane technical terms.I read Barry Braverman's Video Shooter immediately before Shut Up and Shoot. Now I wish that I had done the reverse as Artiss explains terms at a level for the beginner. I probably would have gotten more out of Braverman's book had it come second as his tome is more technical.Shut up and shoot is not a Dummies book. It assumes the person has a basic understanding of the glossary of general terms but at the same time is careful to put new material in the proper context. It is a great step by step process to give one a basic understanding of the equipment and process needed to shoot a basic low budget documentary.The bonus DVD has some great quick guides and cheat sheets that are definitely an added value.Best value for the money. If you are a beginner this is the first book you should buy.

Reviewer: Michael Fox
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Essential basics for the video newbie
Review: I have been recommended to read a whole variety of books as part of my on-going transition from professional photojournalism to documentary film-making. I have picked up many things along the way, some good things, some bad habits. Inevitable right? Then I stumbled across this book, leafed through it (in a book store no less!) and then ordered the book on-line (sorry Borders). Without a doubt, this is the best, single source for many fundamental aspects of video production that you can find. Down to earth, short, sharp bits of essential information and guidance have confirmed many of the good things I am doing already, helped me fix the bad habits, and explained lots of things that other books gloss over.This book is an easy read, a little tongue-in-cheek, in places, and comes with a very useful DVD.Thoroughly recommended, even if you have been shooting video for a few years already.

Reviewer: Colin
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This helps with all aspects of documentary production. It's a no-nonsense approach from a down to earth author. Great guide for beginners.

Reviewer: Tim Vernon
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A really good book for new documentary film makers. Anthony Q. Artis really knows his stuff!

Reviewer: Nick Cox
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is the perfect book for what I need right now.Bonus DVD is a great help.Many thanksNick

Reviewer: AMS
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Good book for getting you motivated to get out and shoot, but content is a little dated

Reviewer: Victor van Dijk
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A highly accessible book for ANY one aspiring to make documentaries, written by a very kind and charming person who loves to share his own knowledge and experience of 'getting out into the field'.Strongly recommended!