Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Documentary Superstars
- How Today's Filmmakers Are Reinventing the Form
- Narrated by: Melba Sibrel
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Documentary Superstars
Buy Now for £14.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Editor reviews
Marsha McCreadie examines the sudden proliferation and popularity of documentary filmmaking, arguing that it has supplanted narrative work as the dominant mode of intelligence and creativity in contemporary cinema. Melba Sibrel's supremely confident delivery helps to sell McCreadie's assertions as she details the varying styles that the documentary has taken over the years, from the purism of Frederick Wiseman to Michael Moore-influenced commentary and Morgan Spurlock's me-first approach. McCreadie's approach is analytical and thought-provoking, making Documentary Superstars a worthy history as well as compelling argument for the art form's evolution and vitality.
Summary
The first book to trace the rise of documentaries as mainstream entertainment....
When did documentaries get glamorous? Documentary Superstars looks at the history of documentaries and traces their transition from hands-off to in your face. Exclusive interviews with Michael Moore, Morgan Spurlock, Errol Morris, George Clooney, Sacha Baron Cohen, Morgan Freeman, Al Gore, and more of the biggest names in the field show the impact of the documentary style on mainstream movies and on our society. From cinéma vérité to the inserted narrator, from the “balanced” point of view to the charismatic commentator (à la Fahrenheit 9/11), to the documentarian starring in his own narrative (as in Supersize Me) to filmmakers’ innovative use of cameos, pseudocameos, and archival footage, and much more, Documentary Superstars examines the way in which this evolving art form has changed - and changed us.
- Newfound box-office clout makes documentaries big business
- Interviews with Michael Moore, Morgan Spurlock, Al Gore, Sacha Baron Cohen, more
- Includes career advice for new documentary filmmakers
More from the same
What listeners say about Documentary Superstars
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- A. Schoon
- 14-05-22
Smug and condescending
The author very obviously disapproved of new developments in the documentary genre. While some of her critiques were valid, much of the writing was quite smug and sarcastic. Why write a whole book about new developments if you don't think much of it? A real critique would have explored the films in the context of US economical and political society, instead of sarcastically unpacking the plots of the films. The voice over artist appeared to relish the sneering tone, making the whole book quite tedious - I was so irritated I could not even get halfway through.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful