"A realist with a sense of humor, Chasse is both stringent and encouraging as she covers every aspect of creating a successful production." —Booklist starred review
How to Make and Distribute a Documentary without Losing Your Mind or Going BrokeDocumentary filmmaking requires more than just a passion for the subject, whether it be one’s personal story or that of someone else, a historical event or a startling discovery, a political movement or a heinous crime. Making a documentary and getting it in front of an audience requires determination, careful planning, money, and a strong production team. With over thirty years of experience in filmmaking, author Betsy Chasse mentors readers every step of the way with a down-to-earth approach and invaluable advice. Chapters cover topics such as:
- Choosing a Subject
- Developing a Business Plan
- Securing Financial Backing
- Assembling a Production Team
- Nailing Interviews and Shooting B-Roll
- Getting through Post-Production
- Distributing and Marketing the Film
Both novices and experienced filmmakers will benefit from this all-inclusive guide. With the right knowledge, persistence, and
The Documentary Filmmaking Master Class in their camera bags, readers will not only turn their visions into reality, they’ll be able to share the results with others and navigate the process with confidence.
"In The Documentary Filmmaking Guide, Betsy Chasse teaches readers everything they need to know to make a documentary: from preliminary research on topics and audiences, to developing a business plan and securing funding, to working with a production team and interviewees, to post-production, marketing, and distribution. This down-to-earth guide is truly an all-access pass to what goes on behind the camera"--
“I learned from Betsy in about two hours of consulting what took me eight months and thousands of dollars to figure out on my own.”
—Jeff Brown, author, filmmaker, Karmageddon“Betsy’s depth of knowledge, expertise and insights helped our film reach audiences and marketplaces I never knew possible.”
—Ward Serrill, filmmaker, Song of the New Earth 
