Barnouw Ch.1 (p. 1-31), Nichols Ch. 5 (p. 89-103).

It astounds me how little has changed in documentary filmmaking. Many of the same challenges that faced those early Lumière camera operators are the same problems faced by documentarians today. The difficulty of filming interesting, controversial events while the larger organization does not see fit to have it published. The need to work for the support of powerful people with deep pockets–and shelling out what one could for personal projects. Though the methods may have changed, the nature of the profession is nearly the same.

How can we overcome modern challenges using this old medium?

What new challenges does the digital age bring?

Who stands out as a filmmaker as someone who overcame the usual obstacles?

What did they do differently?

How does viewing a movie as someone well versed in the history of documentaries different from someone who is not?