From Actuality to Ecstasy explores the history of documentary film as a search for truth by filmmakers, and a journey of discovery for subjects and audiences. This process, the act of documenting, exploring, and reflecting on our reality in all its created beauty, wonder, and mystery can itself be a devotional practice. The history can be seen as moving from actuality to ecstasy, from propaganda to empathy, and finally to confessional, emotional, personal, and communal healing. ""This marvelous little book is ideal for anyone desiring to understand and/or produce documentary films. Charting the relationship between advances in technology and the creative process, Wells reveals the historic sources that gave rise to today's documentary subgenres. Laced with insights from luminaries such as Blaise Pascal and St. Augustine, Wells has created the perfect primer. Highly recommended."" --Robert Covolo, Torrey Honors Institute Justin Wells is a graduate of California State Long Beach (Philosophy), Fuller Theological Seminary (Theology and Art), and Art Center College of Design (Film). He works in the film industry as a camera technician and documentary filmmaker.