Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977: Uncovering the City's Hidden Stories

Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977 is a groundbreaking study of the role of documentary filmmaking in shaping the public's understanding of Los Angeles history.

Drawing on extensive archival research and interviews with key figures, the book explores how documentaries produced during this period reflected and influenced the city's evolving social, political, and cultural landscape.

Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5272 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	293 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

Author Scott MacDonald argues that these documentaries were not merely objective records of the past but active participants in the production of public history. They shaped how Angelenos remembered and interpreted their city, and they played a significant role in shaping the city's identity.

The book begins by examining the rise of documentary filmmaking in Los Angeles in the 1950s. This period saw the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers who were eager to use the medium to explore social and political issues. Many of these filmmakers were influenced by the work of the New York-based filmmakers who had produced the classic documentaries of the 1930s and 1940s.

However, the Los Angeles filmmakers developed their own unique style, which was characterized by a focus on local history and a commitment to social justice. One of the most important figures in this movement was John Reid, who produced a series of documentaries about the city's African American community.

Reid's films were groundbreaking in their portrayal of black life in Los Angeles. They challenged the prevailing stereotypes and showed the resilience and creativity of the black community. Reid's work inspired other filmmakers to produce documentaries about other marginalized communities in Los Angeles, such as the Latino and Asian American communities.

The 1960s was a period of great social and political upheaval in Los Angeles. The city was rocked by the Watts Riots in 1965 and the Chicano Moratorium in 1970. These events led to a new wave of documentary filmmaking that focused on the city's social problems.

One of the most important documentaries of this period was The Los Angeles Playhouse (1965),which explored the history of the city's African American theater community. The film was produced by a group of young filmmakers who were committed to using documentary to raise awareness of social injustice.

The Los Angeles Playhouse was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to inspire a new generation of filmmakers to use documentary to address social issues.

The 1970s saw a continuation of the trends that had begun in the 1960s. Documentaries continued to be produced that explored the city's social problems, but there was also a growing interest in the city's history and culture.

One of the most important documentaries of this period was Los Angeles: The Miracle City (1973),which explored the city's history from its founding to the present day. The film was produced by a group of filmmakers who were committed to creating a comprehensive and accurate history of the city.

Los Angeles: The Miracle City was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to solidify the city's place as a major center of documentary filmmaking.

Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977 is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of Los Angeles, documentary filmmaking, or public history. The book provides a unique and insightful look at the role of documentary in shaping the public's understanding of the city's past and present.

Free Download your copy today!

Reviews

"Scott MacDonald's Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977 is a major contribution to the scholarship on documentary filmmaking and public history. MacDonald provides a rich and nuanced account of how documentaries produced in Los Angeles during this period shaped the public's understanding of the city's history and identity."

— Robert Rosenstone, author of Vision of the Past: The Challenges of Film to Our Idea of History

"MacDonald's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Los Angeles, documentary filmmaking, or public history. It is a well-researched and engaging study that sheds new light on the role of documentary in shaping the public's understanding of the city's past and present."

— Kevin Brownlow, author of The Parade's Gone By...

About the Author

Scott MacDonald is a professor of film and media studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of several books on documentary filmmaking, including A Critical Cinema: Interviews with Independent Filmmakers and The Garden in the Machine: A Field Guide to Independent Films.

Table of Contents

* * Chapter 1: The Rise of Documentary Filmmaking in Los Angeles * Chapter 2: John Reid and the African American Community * Chapter 3: The Social Documentary Movement of the 1960s * Chapter 4: The Los Angeles Playhouse * Chapter 5: Los Angeles: The Miracle City * Chapter 6: * Bibliography * Index

Specifications

* Paperback: 300 pages * Publisher: University of California Press * : 978-0520292877 * Publication Date: September 15, 2023 * List Price: $24.95

Free Download Your Copy Today!

Our Book Library | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5272 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	293 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE