1980s documentary techniques

[Derek Van Gorder]

I am looking to create some fictional documentary pieces styled after old-fashioned science documentaries, in particular Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" from 1980. I'm interested in the approach to location work, visual effects, and graphics. Studying the show itself has been helpful, but I was wondering if there was anywhere I could find behind-the-scenes information about cameras, lenses, lights, film stocks, and effects photography. Failing that, are there any good general technical resources about documentary production from this time period I could study?

 

Any info appreciated!