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The art of the observer
A personal view of documentary
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This book is ideal for aspiring documentary filmmakers, ethnographers, and readers interested in the artistic and ethical dimensions of representing social life through film.
A personal perspective on documentary filmmaking, based on the author's own experiences and reflections on the genre, with a particular emphasis on observational cinema. It includes both practical insights into filmmaking methods and discussions of the intellectual, ethical and emotional challenges of attempting to portray others on film.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
The art of the observer is a personal guide to documentary filmmaking, based on the author's years of pioneering work in the fields of ethnographic and documentary cinema. It stands in sharp contrast to books of academic film criticism and handbooks on visual research methods, being based extensively on concrete examples from the author's own filmmaking experience.
The book places particular emphasis on observational filmmaking and the ways in which this approach is distinct from other forms of documentary. It offers both practical insights and reflections on what it means, in both emotional and intellectual terms, to attempt to represent the lives of others.
The book makes clear that documentary cinema is not simply a matter of recording reality, but of artfully organising the filmmaker's observations in ways that reveal the complex patterns of social life.
Series: Anthropology, Creative Practice and Ethnography
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The art of the observer
The art of the observer is a personal guide to documentary filmmaking, based on the author's years of pioneering work in the fields of ethnographic and documentary cinema. It stands in sharp contrast to books of academic film criticism and handbooks on visual research methods, being based extensively on concrete examples from the author's own filmmaking experience. The book places...PaperbackSold Out
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Reviews praise the author's respectful engagement with amateur collaborators, particularly children in video workshops, highlighting his thoughtful and non-patronising approach. The blend of memory and analysis offers a fresh perspective on the filmmaker's craft, making the book both engaging and insightful. Choice emphasises the book's ability to deepen readers' understanding of documentary filmmaking.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781526165350
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 25 October 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Manchester University Press
Illustration: 42 black & white illustrations
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 15.0mm
Width: 156.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 399g
Pages: 256
About the Author
David MacDougall is Honorary Professor in the Research School of Humanities and the Arts at the Australian National University, Canberra
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