1st Edition

Documentary Filmmaking for Archaeologists

By Peter J Pepe, Joseph W Zarzynski Copyright 2012
    230 Pages
    by Routledge

    230 Pages
    by Routledge

    Documentary filmmaker Peter Pepe and historical archaeologist Joseph W. Zarzynski provide a concise guide to filmmaking designed to help archaeologists navigate the unfamiliar world of documentary film. They offer a step-by-step description of the process of making a documentary, everything from initial pitches to production companies to final cuts in the editing. Using examples from their own award-winning documentaries, they focus on the needs of the archaeologist: Where do you fit in the project? What is expected of you? How can you help your documentarian partner? The authors provide guidance on finding funding, establishing budgets, writing scripts, interviewing, and numerous other tasks required to produce and distribute a film. Whether you intend to sell a special to National Geographic or churn out a brief clip to run at the local museum, read this book before you start.

    Introduction; Chapter 1 Forming the Archaeologist/Documentary Filmmaker Team; Chapter 2 A Brief History of the Documentary Film Genre; Chapter 3 The Introduction of Home Video, Television, and Documentary Filmmaking; Chapter 4 Production Equipment and Screen and Standards Formats; Chapter 5 The Popularity of Documentaries; Chapter 6 The Stages of Documentary Film Production; Chapter 7 Considering Making A Documentary—Your Idea and Title; Chapter 8 Pitching a Proposal and Writing a Treatment; Chapter 9 Developing a Budget and Securing a Contract; Chapter 10 Shaping Your Archaeological Documentary; Chapter 11 From Outline to First Script; Chapter 12 A Preproduction—Production Costs, Funding, Assembling the Crew, Compiling the Shot List, and on and On; Chapter 13 The Art of the Interview and B-Roll; Chapter 14 A Work Following the Interviews and B-Roll; Chapter 15 Choosing the Narrator and Other Voice Talent; Chapter 16 Shot Making; Chapter 17 Shooting Reenactments for your Documentary; Chapter 18 Using Still Photography, Historic Film Footage, Illustrations, Maps, Historic Newspapers, and Animation; Chapter 19 Postproduction and Editing; Chapter 20 Thoughts on the Beginning and the End of your Documentary Film; Chapter 21 The Digital Revolution and its Role in Documentary Filmmaking; Chapter 22 Television, Theatrical Release, Finding a Distributor, Self-Distribution, and Other Outlets; Chapter 23 Promoting your Documentary; Chapter 24 Documentaries in Miniature; Chapter 25 Creating Your Trailer; Chapter 26 Conclusion;

    Biography

    Pepe, Peter J; Zarzynski, Joseph W