How Documentaries Work breaks down the hidden conventions of documentaries in clear and accessible language for film studies students and documentary enthusiasts alike. Jacob Bricca, ACE, an award-winning documentary editor, producer, and director with a track record of delivering impactful presentations to lay audiences, provides a behind-the-scenes, under-the-hood view of what's really going on in the construction of non-fiction films and television shows. This book presents examples from contemporary documentaries and docuseries and delivers insights from some of the most exciting non-fiction filmmakers and craftspeople working today, including director Steve James (City So Real, Hoop Dreams), producer Amy Ziering (Allen v. Farrow, The Hunting Ground), editor Aaron Wickenden (Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, 20 Feet from Stardom), and composer Miriam Cutler (RBG, Lost in La Mancha). Chapters such as "Flow," "Narrative," "Meaning," and "Time" offer a completely new way of looking at documentary film language, while others like "Music," "Titles," and "Sound" deliver extraordinary insights on seemingly ordinary topics. A compact volume written in plain, easy-to-understand language, this book promises to change the way you think about non-fiction films and television shows forever.