Equipment for wildlife documentary/reality footage

Tim Paynter · February 27th, 2015, 12:02 AM

Paul, would you list some of the books you mentioned about docs? Thanks. Lots of us reading.

Tim

Phil Murray · February 28th, 2015, 10:19 AM

Here are some books that I've read that have been a very good for me as I'm also a learning about the craft:

The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide (Anthony Q. Artis) — one of my favorites, it's written in a style that is easily browsable for topics that may be important at different stages. For instance, there is a good, quick description of how to use a boom mic setup.

Documentary Filmmaking: A Contemporary Field Guide (John Hewitt and Gustavo Vazquez) — this small spiral-bound book has a good section on shot selection/preparation for the kind of work you may be doing. (It's a good guide in a lot of other areas as well.)

Documentary Storytelling: Creative Nonfiction on Screen (Shelia Curran Bernard) — Good discussion of the "story" that has to be there or no one will bother watching your work.

The Documentary Film Makers Handbook (Genevieve Joliffe and Andrew Zinnes) - a great resource book written in a unique style. It is a collection of interviews over specific areas with people experienced in those areas. For instance, the chapter on insurance is an interview with an entertainment insurance broker and the chapter on legalities is an interview with a lawyer.

There are lots more, but these are four really good ones to start with. I'm sure all are available at Amazon, though I've had good luck finding copies on eBay or the local used book stores.

Hope that helps!

Phil Murray · February 28th, 2015, 10:25 AM

Not sure how much traveling you will be doing, but I am looking at getting this slider to take with me to Peru this summer for some work there:

Rocket Travel Camera Slider | Aviator Camera Gear | Aviator Camera Gear

The good best part of it is that it can be used with conduit pipe that you can buy on location. That makes it extremely portable for someone traveling internationally as I will be doing.

February 27th, 2015, 12:02 AM	#16
Tim Paynter Major Player Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Denver Posts: 255	Re: Equipment for wildlife documentary/reality footage Paul, would you list some of the books you mentioned about docs? Thanks. Lots of us reading. Tim

February 28th, 2015, 10:19 AM	#17
Phil Murray Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 375	Re: Equipment for wildlife documentary/reality footage Here are some books that I've read that have been a very good for me as I'm also a learning about the craft: The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide (Anthony Q. Artis) — one of my favorites, it's written in a style that is easily browsable for topics that may be important at different stages. For instance, there is a good, quick description of how to use a boom mic setup. Documentary Filmmaking: A Contemporary Field Guide (John Hewitt and Gustavo Vazquez) — this small spiral-bound book has a good section on shot selection/preparation for the kind of work you may be doing. (It's a good guide in a lot of other areas as well.) Documentary Storytelling: Creative Nonfiction on Screen (Shelia Curran Bernard) — Good discussion of the "story" that has to be there or no one will bother watching your work. The Documentary Film Makers Handbook (Genevieve Joliffe and Andrew Zinnes) - a great resource book written in a unique style. It is a collection of interviews over specific areas with people experienced in those areas. For instance, the chapter on insurance is an interview with an entertainment insurance broker and the chapter on legalities is an interview with a lawyer. There are lots more, but these are four really good ones to start with. I'm sure all are available at Amazon, though I've had good luck finding copies on eBay or the local used book stores. Hope that helps!

February 28th, 2015, 10:25 AM	#18
Phil Murray Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 375	Re: Equipment for wildlife documentary/reality footage Not sure how much traveling you will be doing, but I am looking at getting this slider to take with me to Peru this summer for some work there: Rocket Travel Camera Slider \| Aviator Camera Gear \| Aviator Camera Gear The good best part of it is that it can be used with conduit pipe that you can buy on location. That makes it extremely portable for someone traveling internationally as I will be doing.