Films on Demand is distributed by Films Media Group for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

What Is a Documentary Film? (2:09) -- Why Documentary Matters (4:50) -- Why We Make Films (3:44) -- A Student of Film (2:36) -- Finding Good Stories (4:19) -- Finding Good People (2:14) -- Story Into Film (3:24) -- First Person Perspective (3:09) -- Sound & Picture (8:33) -- Editing Film (5:19) -- Screening the Rough Cut (1:06) -- Releases & Clearance (3:29) -- Fair Use (1:53) -- Music in Documentary Film (2:38) -- General Ethics (4:20) -- Specific Ethics (7:28) -- Getting the Film Made (7:30) -- Getting the Film Out There (4:06) -- Credits: Documentary Filmmaking: Tips from the Trenches (0:53).

Learning to make documentaries requires several important steps. One is getting your hands on equipment and shooting footage whenever possible. Another is absorbing wisdom from those who have mastered the art form. This program provides much of that wisdom through interviews with successful documentary filmmakers-including D. A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, Ross McElwee, Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar, and 25 others. Topics include the shifting definitions of documentary film, ways to learn about filmmaking, finding a good story, research, building trust with subjects, shooting, editing, using copyrighted music, screening the rough cut, ethical issues, finance, distribution, and promotion.

DVD