New Books Network Jacob Bricca, "How Documentaries Work" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Dec 28, 2025
Jacob Bricca, a Peabody Award-winning filmmaker and documentary professor, explores the art of documentary filmmaking. He unveils how narratives shape viewer perception and the critical role of editing in storytelling. Bricca discusses the conventions of documentary formats, contrasting TV shows with feature films and the ethical implications of production choices. He shares insights from industry professionals and critiques prominent figures like Michael Moore, while emphasizing the nuanced interplay of sound and visuals that enhance factual storytelling. A must-listen for documentary enthusiasts!
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Documentaries Are Constructed Narratives
- Documentary choices craft the viewer's understanding through many subtle manipulations.
- Jacob Bricca argues films reshape facts into narrative forms that feel natural but are constructed.
Define And Stick To Presence Framing
- Decide early what filmmaker presence framing your documentary will adopt and follow its rules.
- Be consistent with that framing so the audience can rely on the film's implied relationship to subjects.
TV Docs Use Faster, Modular Storytelling
- TV documentaries and reality shows sit on a continuum with feature docs but follow stricter commercial formats.
- Bricca shows how TV needs quick stakes and modular episodes, while features can tease and delay exposition.