Research Guides: Film Studies: Documentaries

Film Research Tip

Finding Documentary Films

Your best bet may be searching for specific filmmakers and film titles. Many documentary films are organized by the subject of the documentary only. The style or genre of documentary is rarely addressed (i.e. direct cinema). Works by prominant filmmakers are not differentiated from general educational and documentary works.

Documentary Film Books

Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics by Michael Rabiger; Mick Hurbis-Cherrier
Call Number: Cabell Libary PN1995.9.P7 R26 2013
Latest from Michael Rabiger, author of Directing the Documentary.
Documentary for the Small Screen by Paul Kriwaczek
Call Number: ebook
also in print: PN1995.9.D6K76 1997
Documentary Storytelling by Sheila Curran Bernard
Call Number: ebook
Practical advice for producers, directors, editors, cinematographers, writers and others seeking to make ethical and effective films that merge the strengths of visual and aural media with the power of narrative storytelling.
Also in print: PN1995.9.D6 B394 2016
Archival Storytelling: A Filmmaker's Guide to Finding, Using, and Licensing Thrid-Party Visuals and Music by Sheila Curran Bernard; Kenn Rabin
Call Number: Ebook & print - PN1995.9.D6 B393 2009
Documentary Film: a very short introduction by Patricia Aufderheide
Call Number: ebook
An overview of the central issues of documentary filmmaking--its definitions and purposes, its forms and founders. Focuses on several of its key subgenres, including public affairs films, government propaganda (particularly the works produced during World War II), historical documentaries, and nature films.
Also in print: PN1995.9.D6 A94 2007
The Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of the Documentary Film by Ian Aitken (Editor)
Call Number: Online Access
Publication Date: 2013

Oral History & Interview Resources

Oral History Online
Index and links to web-based oral histories in English in archives and libraries around the world, with links to full text, audio, and video when available.
HistoryMakers
Oral histories of African-Americans from all walks of life, including politicians, authors, civil rights activists, religious leaders, musicians, legal scholars, and many others. Includes video footage.

Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)
Millions of materials from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions across the country, available to all in a one-stop discovery experience.
For audio recordings, search by topic, then limit results to Type=Audio
Library of Congress - Digital Collections
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections.
To find audio, search or browse by topic, then limit results to Original Format=Audio Recording