A comprehensive guide for documentary filmmakers at all stages. In this third edition, in response to technological advances and the demands of cable television stations, Alan Rosenthal reconsiders how one approaches documentary filmmaking in the 21st century. Foregoing theory and hardware, Rosenthal tackles the day-to-day problems from initial concept through distribution, emphasizing the research and writing approach. He offers examples of interviewing, narration writing, and the complexities of editing. The text explains how to write, direct and produce the documentary, whether film or video. This third edition also covers nonlinear editing techniques, a complex budget example and its analysis, and a chapter on "staying alive", which details how European and US stations approach documentary and how the Internet can help filmmakers find new markets. A new chapter has been added to stress the growing genre of family films.