ABSTRACT
Readers will learn how to use rhythm, pacing, and dynamics to their advantage in a documentary. They are introduced to the fundamental paradox of time in a documentary, and how the use of the present tense can be employed to keep an audience engaged. Sections on the subjective experience of time show readers how to use time to build identification with specific characters. A separate subsection on pauses offers numerous examples of how to use the space between shots to achieve specific results with respect to increasing emotional resonance or implying that the audience should be skeptical of a character's claims. Another subsection offers specific advice on how to use transitions like the fade or cut to black to punctuate their film in effective ways.
