Producing with Passion. Dorothy Fadiman

      

      “Many people make documentary movies; Dorothy Fadiman crafts crusades. She’s a force of nature, relentless in her pursuit of accuracy and excellence, unremittingly progressive, and yet canny and strategic in the way she develops her arguments. Reading about how she does this is equal to a Master’s Degree in Communications.”

      —Peter Coyote, Actor/Author/Emmy Award–winning narrator of more than 100 documentary productions

      “Combining the political passion of the ’60s and ’70s with a DIY approach now familiar on YouTube, Fadiman embodies the best of both generations, a fusion that makes this book indispensable to all those interested in documenting their own era or engaging with their own times.”

      —Marsha Kinder is Professor of Critical Studies and Founding Director of The Labyrinth Project at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

      “This insightful work is ‘the handbook’ for any filmmaker who is thinking about producing a personal documentary. Fadiman’s films have made a difference and this book will show you, step by step, how your work can too. Producing with Passion is a must read for anyone setting out to make social change media.”

      —Mitchell Block’s distribution company, Direct Cinema Limited, has handled many documentaries and shorts including more than 60 Oscar nominees and winners.

      “In the television industry, we are deluged with scripts and ideas for programs. What stands out are the few original voices. This book brings together inspiring guidance with practical suggestions for how to discover and develop your own vision so that, as your project evolves, the work remains truly original.”

      —Jeremiah Bosgang is the Executive Vice President, Television for SONY BMG Music Entertainment. He has held executive posts at NBC, Fox, MTV and the Howard Stern Production Company, and has written for Saturday Night Live, In Living Color and The Best Damn Sports Show Period.

      “Producing with Passion is a must-have resource for those interested in producing or making documentaries. Whether you have a big budget or a very limited one, this book will guide you through the process of bringing your vision to life.”

      — Kari Ann Morgan, Microfilmmaker Magazine

      “As the world gets smaller, it’s the smaller films that make the biggest impact. Fadiman and Levelle have crafted an excellent guide that provides step by step support for the novice documentary filmmaker. It’s about time somebody championed films that make money AND make a difference!”

      — Catherine Clinch, Publisher www.MomsDigitalWorld.com

      “One of the best ways to learn the craft of filmmaking is to apprentice with an artisan. Dorothy Fadiman is not only a master at the art of making films, she is a great teacher who is willing to share her experience with us in her new book, Producing with Passion”

      — Stewart Cheifet, Executive Producer, Producer, Director & Writer of over one thousand programs for PBS including Computer Chronicles, A Life of Dancing, Return of Apollo 11

      PRODUCING WITH PASSION

      DOROTHY FADIMAN

       &

       TONY LEVELLE

      MICHAEL WIESE PRODUCTIONS

      Published by Michael Wiese Productions

      12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111

      Studio City, CA 91604

      [phone], [phone] (FAX).

      [email protected]

       www.mwp.com

      Cover design by MWP

      Interior design by William Morosi

      Copyedited by Paul Norlen

      Cover photography by Steve McCurry/Magnum

      Printed by McNaughton & Gunn

      Manufactured in the United States of America

      Copyright 2008 Dorothy Fadiman

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Fadiman, Dorothy.

      Producing with passion / Dorothy Fadiman and Tony Levelle.

      p. cm.

      Includes bibliographical references and index.

      ISBN 978-1-932907-44-5

      1. Motion pictures--Production and direction. I. Levelle, Tony, 1944- II. Title.

      PN1995.9.P7F33 2008

      791.4302’32–dc22

      2008009425

      Printed on Recycled Stock

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

       Acknowledgments

       Introduction. How Can a Film Make a Difference?

       Keeping Your Focus

       Using This Book

       Chapter 1. Trusting Your Instincts

       Passion and Intuition, the Magical Connection

       My Story

       Igniting the Spark

       Choosing a Subject

       Choosing a Subject That Has Life

       Imagining Possibilities

       Questions That Might Help You Choose a Subject

       Friends, Colleagues, and Companions

       Distractions and Doubt

       Unasked-for Attention

       Your Own Doubts

       Getting Stuck

       Restoring Your Energy

       Finishing the