Until a few years ago, using a camera was hard, but now everyone can have one. Since cameras are now available on various electronic devices, children are often intrigued by the idea of filming. To help them put this interest to good use, So You Want To Be A Documentary Filmmaker by Linda Soules teaches young readers about the subject and encourages them to become good documentary filmmakers. She notes that telling true stories can be a little more complicated than it seems. The difference is that while a typical movie involves shooting several takes of a scene, a documentary captures real life. That’s why, in this case, you can start by filming simple everyday moments, interviewing people, or simply having conversations. The joy comes from doing it enthusiastically and learning from the experience.

I loved how Linda Soules approaches the topic because she speaks clearly and directly. Even when she mentions technical aspects, she uses accessible language, for example, when describing related fields of study, such as communication or journalism. She also mentions that documentary filmmakers need to be patient and organized because telling a good story takes time, while emphasizing the importance of being ethical. She explains that you shouldn’t edit footage with bad intentions or betray the trust of those who collaborate on the project. I also loved the illustrations because they’re inspiring and show a wide variety of examples of how to create a documentary. So You Want To Be A Documentary Filmmaker will teach children that this profession requires hard work and effort, but the reward of sharing the truth is invaluable.

Do you enjoy people? Listening to their stories? Documenting them in written and visual form? Well, perhaps a career as a documentary filmmaker is the right fit for you. In Linda Soules’ So You Want To Be A Documentary Filmmaker, you’ll learn about the process, the training, some interesting documentary stories, and some of the historical figures who made their names as documentary filmmakers. It’s not an easy job. You have to be a good listener, one who knows the right questions to ask, and how to make even the most reserved and quiet person willing to listen to you and answer your questions.

Linda Soules’ children’s book, So You Want To Be A Documentary Filmmaker, is another great addition to the “So You Want To Be…” series. Basically, it’s an illustrated career guide that takes young readers into the world of producing documentary films. The book leads young people through the career, allowing them to see what filmmakers do on a day-to-day basis, including a ‘day in the life’ look that follows a documentary filmmaker on a shoot. There are also notes on some of the most difficult things in this career, including tight budgets, long waits, and strict editing expectations. The language is simple enough for this age group, and the colorful illustrations add another dimension to the presentation. I love how this series includes several glossaries at the end to further spark young people’s interest. There’s a section on how a documentary filmmaker helps people, a list of some of their most important qualities, some tips on what you might not expect to need in this career, like clear writing skills, a look at some of the historic figures who made their name in documentary filmmaking, and so much more. Like the other books in this series, this is an informative and entertaining read.