
Short books can achieve big goals. This is proven in the case of How to Film Truth (Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2018) by Justin Wells. The book introduces readers to the artistic elements of documentary filmmaking with special attention to one’s personal vision and passion for pursuing truth to share with the world.
The subtitle “The Story of Documentary Film as a Spiritual Journey” captures the two main features of Wells’ book – a brief history of the main phases in the evolution of documentary filmmaking and the involvement of the human spirit in the art of filming. Readers get to see how the spirit takes precedence in this quest, adapting to the innovations in filming techniques as well as presentation strategies over the years.
There is a good deal of interesting history of documentary filmmaking in Wells’ book, including people, places, technology, and techniques. Each chapter explores a key feature of the documentary film over a certain period in time and illustrates with outstanding works in the field. Wells cites notable examples from both Hollywood and international cinema. The book also points out notable pitfalls to watch for while engaging in exploration of life’s mysteries via film.
How to Film Truth makes a great book for today’s beginner and aspiring filmmakers who are motivated to document facts in the truth-seeker’s spirit. It is not a guide that teaches you the mechanics of documentary filmmaking but a ride that takes you to the heart of recording and presenting facts as witnessed by your unique creative identity. The author has included several exercises, or assignments, toward the end of the book to let readers practice what they learnt in the chapters.
Format: eBook
ISBN: 9781532640353
Availability: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-film-truth-justin-wells/1129274567