Reviews, Archival Storytelling, written with Kenn Rabin
Click on the links to read the full review
"Archival Storytelling effectively conveys what experienced footage researchers and film producers feel everyone working in their field should know about working with archival media. Archivists who work with those same footage researchers and film producers can get from the book a better sense of what expectations, assumptions, and needs storytellers bring with them to the archive. Finally, and perhaps most important, it illustrates how broadly (and sometimes contradictorily) archives are defined by an influential community of users." -- Snowden Becker, The Moving Image, Spring 2010
"The excellent new resource Archival Storytelling is really two books in one: a detailed how-to guide for filmmakers on the process of researching, acquiring, and clearing rights to archival materials; and a deeper exploration of the implications, ethical and creative, of using these materials to tell new stories." -- Grace Lile, American Archivist, Spring/Summer 2010 (scroll to page 278)
".Sheila Curran Bernard and Kenn Rabin have provided the industry with an indispensable reference when it comes to third party materials. Archival Storytelling should not just sit on your bookshelf – it should be on your desk, ready at a moment’s notice."--John Schwally, JFS Blogspot
"...[N]ot so much a different approach as a new trail being blazed....The authors have ambitiously set out to create a manual which is liberally scattered with examples and discussions by practitioners." --Steve Bergson, samzine (Stills Audio Motion)
"This book is a great resource because it surveys the entire landscape from ethical/creative considerations to fair use to changes in the digital age, and the focus is always on the importance of telling stories" --Ingrid Kopp, Shooting People
"Here we have what I believe will swiftly become an essential guide for documentary filmmakers with an archive bias, and anyone thinking of becoming a film researcher." --James Smith, Archive Zones
"As a documentary maker, you need to know your rights. Archival Storytelling will clarify the terms copyright, fair use, public domain, and orphan works. By understanding these terms, you will be able to make intelligent choices regarding the use of images and sounds that are not of your own creation." --Videomaker magazine
“I am often asked how to work with archival materials. Now I have an easy answer: Get a copy of Archival Storytelling and read it. Everything's there—how to use archival materials, acquire them, and most of all, how to think about them. Archival Storytelling is indispensable.” --David Grubin, Filmmaker, LBJ, FDR, Napoleon, and The Jewish Americans
"This is it, the book that will save you thousands of dollars and untold hours of frustration. It will be the single best purchase your production company will make. Archival Storytelling clearly explains the entire process of researching, acquiring and licensing archival footage and music. Included are time-tested tips and techniques for efficiently managing the work flow and negotiating rights." --Ann Petrone, Archival Supervisor, The Fog of War
"One of the best—and most needed—texts I have seen in a while.The challenge is to keep what is a fairly technical aspect of filmmaking interesting without compromising the quality and depth of information. The authors have done an exceptional job in this regard by the careful interweaving of interviews with researchers, filmmakers and legal experts through the factual material.There is the strong sense of being in the presence of experienced filmmakers and researchers who accept that while there are standard practices, archival use and intellectual property laws etc. are contingent fields in which each case must be assessed and dealt with on its merits." --Bruce Sheridan, Chair, Film & Video Department, Columbia College
"I've been making historical documentaries for many years, yet I learned new things from this book. This is the definitive guide for archival research for documentary filmmakers. An invaluable resource." --Mark Jonathan Harris, Distinguished Professor, School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California, and writer/director, The Long Way Home and Into the Arms of Strangers
"Long overdue, this is the resource guide we've been waiting for. Connecting the nuts and bolts of the search for a shot with the current challenges of new media and fair use, Archival Storytelling brings the past right up to the present." --Gail Dolgin, co-producer, Daughter from Danang and Summer of Love
"It's hard to imagine a more organized, comprehensive dissection of Byzantine material. The authors have produced a tremendous guide for all who use archival resources. Best of all, because of their effort, I believe more individuals will be able to access and properly utilize such material. This book will serve filmmakers and, in turn, the public for years to come." --Thomas Speicher, Video Production Developer, Pennsylvania College of Technology, and producer, Degrees That Work
"Not simply a "how-to" manual, it is also a discussion of ideas, issues and history that creates an enjoyable text even when the subject matter becomes complicated¼.The real world examples, the roundtable discussions, and the exploration of ideas and issues surrounding the technical aspects are very welcome and well done." --Dustin Ogdin, filmmaker, Spoke Digital Films
"Archival Storytelling effectively conveys what experienced footage researchers and film producers feel everyone working in their field should know about working with archival media. Archivists who work with those same footage researchers and film producers can get from the book a better sense of what expectations, assumptions, and needs storytellers bring with them to the archive. Finally, and perhaps most important, it illustrates how broadly (and sometimes contradictorily) archives are defined by an influential community of users." -- Snowden Becker, The Moving Image, Spring 2010
"The excellent new resource Archival Storytelling is really two books in one: a detailed how-to guide for filmmakers on the process of researching, acquiring, and clearing rights to archival materials; and a deeper exploration of the implications, ethical and creative, of using these materials to tell new stories." -- Grace Lile, American Archivist, Spring/Summer 2010 (scroll to page 278)
".Sheila Curran Bernard and Kenn Rabin have provided the industry with an indispensable reference when it comes to third party materials. Archival Storytelling should not just sit on your bookshelf – it should be on your desk, ready at a moment’s notice."--John Schwally, JFS Blogspot
"...[N]ot so much a different approach as a new trail being blazed....The authors have ambitiously set out to create a manual which is liberally scattered with examples and discussions by practitioners." --Steve Bergson, samzine (Stills Audio Motion)
"This book is a great resource because it surveys the entire landscape from ethical/creative considerations to fair use to changes in the digital age, and the focus is always on the importance of telling stories" --Ingrid Kopp, Shooting People
"Here we have what I believe will swiftly become an essential guide for documentary filmmakers with an archive bias, and anyone thinking of becoming a film researcher." --James Smith, Archive Zones
"As a documentary maker, you need to know your rights. Archival Storytelling will clarify the terms copyright, fair use, public domain, and orphan works. By understanding these terms, you will be able to make intelligent choices regarding the use of images and sounds that are not of your own creation." --Videomaker magazine
“I am often asked how to work with archival materials. Now I have an easy answer: Get a copy of Archival Storytelling and read it. Everything's there—how to use archival materials, acquire them, and most of all, how to think about them. Archival Storytelling is indispensable.” --David Grubin, Filmmaker, LBJ, FDR, Napoleon, and The Jewish Americans
"This is it, the book that will save you thousands of dollars and untold hours of frustration. It will be the single best purchase your production company will make. Archival Storytelling clearly explains the entire process of researching, acquiring and licensing archival footage and music. Included are time-tested tips and techniques for efficiently managing the work flow and negotiating rights." --Ann Petrone, Archival Supervisor, The Fog of War
"One of the best—and most needed—texts I have seen in a while.The challenge is to keep what is a fairly technical aspect of filmmaking interesting without compromising the quality and depth of information. The authors have done an exceptional job in this regard by the careful interweaving of interviews with researchers, filmmakers and legal experts through the factual material.There is the strong sense of being in the presence of experienced filmmakers and researchers who accept that while there are standard practices, archival use and intellectual property laws etc. are contingent fields in which each case must be assessed and dealt with on its merits." --Bruce Sheridan, Chair, Film & Video Department, Columbia College
"I've been making historical documentaries for many years, yet I learned new things from this book. This is the definitive guide for archival research for documentary filmmakers. An invaluable resource." --Mark Jonathan Harris, Distinguished Professor, School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California, and writer/director, The Long Way Home and Into the Arms of Strangers
"Long overdue, this is the resource guide we've been waiting for. Connecting the nuts and bolts of the search for a shot with the current challenges of new media and fair use, Archival Storytelling brings the past right up to the present." --Gail Dolgin, co-producer, Daughter from Danang and Summer of Love
"It's hard to imagine a more organized, comprehensive dissection of Byzantine material. The authors have produced a tremendous guide for all who use archival resources. Best of all, because of their effort, I believe more individuals will be able to access and properly utilize such material. This book will serve filmmakers and, in turn, the public for years to come." --Thomas Speicher, Video Production Developer, Pennsylvania College of Technology, and producer, Degrees That Work
"Not simply a "how-to" manual, it is also a discussion of ideas, issues and history that creates an enjoyable text even when the subject matter becomes complicated¼.The real world examples, the roundtable discussions, and the exploration of ideas and issues surrounding the technical aspects are very welcome and well done." --Dustin Ogdin, filmmaker, Spoke Digital Films
