The first thing I wanted to look at was the types of documentary that already existed. I knew this would help me narrow down my knowledge and help me understand the purpose of what a documentary is.
Expository
- exposes a certain thing / person / issue
- voice overs are included, usually 'voice of god' or an expert in that area who has full knowledge on the documentary subject.
- images are often used to illustrate or counterpoint the voice over or the other way round.
- editing is used for continuity, helping the images and clips flow together to support the argument.
- it usually contains a variety of footage including interviews, stills, archive and material that is assembled to support the argument
- this type of documentary can attempt to persuade the audience to agree or learn about an important subject.
An existing expository documentary example
MICHAEL MOORE
- An analysis and exposition of a person or topic, For example: Michael Moore exposes society to forms or political corruption.An existing expository documentary example
MICHAEL MOORE
- This mode's emphasis is on rhetorical content, and its goal of persuasion. Narration is a distinct innovation of this type of documentary, it holds the weight of explaining and arguing a film's rhetorical content. This mode collects footage that functions to strengthen the spoken narrative.
Observational
- location shooting is common with use of hand held cameras
- the dominant shot is the long shot, they can show more than others such as close ups.
- synchronous and direct sound recording, there is no narrative or voice over.
- often they do not involve interviews or still images.
- the documentary makers presence is hidden throughout
- subjects pretend they are not being filmed to keep audience interested
An example of an observational documentary
THE ONLY WAY IS ESSEX
- Being there as events unfold, these documentaries tend to follow a person or event and document their journey as it occurs. The camera remains as unobstructive as possible, allowing the audience to make up their own mind.
- "New, light equipment made possible an intimacy of observation new to documentary, and this involved sound as well as image" (Barnouw 1993). The move to lighter equipment and shoulder mounted cameras allowed documentaries to leave the anchored point of the tripod.
- the dominant shot is the long shot, they can show more than others such as close ups.
- synchronous and direct sound recording, there is no narrative or voice over.
- often they do not involve interviews or still images.
- the documentary makers presence is hidden throughout
- subjects pretend they are not being filmed to keep audience interested
An example of an observational documentary
THE ONLY WAY IS ESSEX
- Being there as events unfold, these documentaries tend to follow a person or event and document their journey as it occurs. The camera remains as unobstructive as possible, allowing the audience to make up their own mind.
- "New, light equipment made possible an intimacy of observation new to documentary, and this involved sound as well as image" (Barnouw 1993). The move to lighter equipment and shoulder mounted cameras allowed documentaries to leave the anchored point of the tripod.
Reflexive
- borrows techniques from fiction film for an emotional subject response
- the expressive nature of film is emphasised, anti realist techniques.
- often sound and lighting is used to create a dramatic effect.
- voice overs if present is likely to be uncertain to the audience rather than authoritative
- relies heavily on suggestion and implied meaning rather than real life true fact.
famous for his reflexive documentaries:
EROL MORRIS
- In which the film maker acknowledges their presence, they are in front of the camera and give some narrative guidance.
- To aid the audience in their understanding of the process of construction in film so that they could develop a sophisticated and critical attitude.
- the expressive nature of film is emphasised, anti realist techniques.
- often sound and lighting is used to create a dramatic effect.
- voice overs if present is likely to be uncertain to the audience rather than authoritative
- relies heavily on suggestion and implied meaning rather than real life true fact.
famous for his reflexive documentaries:
EROL MORRIS
- In which the film maker acknowledges their presence, they are in front of the camera and give some narrative guidance.
- To aid the audience in their understanding of the process of construction in film so that they could develop a sophisticated and critical attitude.
Performative
- documentary maker and crew interact with the subject (get involved in filming)
- often documents the crew and documentary maker commenting on the process of making the documentary
- often shaped into the narrative of an investigation or search, possible without a satisfactory conclusion.
- subject matter often concerns identity, gender and sexuality rather than factual topics.
An example of this:
KURT & COURTNEY 1998
- often documents the crew and documentary maker commenting on the process of making the documentary
- often shaped into the narrative of an investigation or search, possible without a satisfactory conclusion.
- subject matter often concerns identity, gender and sexuality rather than factual topics.
An example of this:
KURT & COURTNEY 1998
Participatory/Interactive
- same as performative the documentary maker and crew interact with the subject.
- interviews dominate but are often informal using literally 'on the run' questioning gaining interesting feedback.
- hand held camera location shooting often appears in these.
- long takes dominate
- synchronous direct sound recording as well as voice overs often from the maker.
- the documentary maker is usually visible to the audience - intervenes and participates with the action.
the example here is:
PETER ANDRE THE NEXT CHAPTER
- Welcomes direct engagement between film maker and subject(s) - the film maker becomes part of the events being recorded.
- The film maker becomes directly involved with the issue being addressed; he becomes a character in the film; his impact on the events in the film are shown.
- interviews dominate but are often informal using literally 'on the run' questioning gaining interesting feedback.
- hand held camera location shooting often appears in these.
- long takes dominate
- synchronous direct sound recording as well as voice overs often from the maker.
- the documentary maker is usually visible to the audience - intervenes and participates with the action.
the example here is:
PETER ANDRE THE NEXT CHAPTER
- Welcomes direct engagement between film maker and subject(s) - the film maker becomes part of the events being recorded.
- The film maker becomes directly involved with the issue being addressed; he becomes a character in the film; his impact on the events in the film are shown.
Poetic
- personal view of documentary makes is given on the subject of documentary
- there isn't usually a typical narrative structure.
- music is used along side action to intensify the mood and tone that has already been created
- events are under-developed and sometimes situations can be unsolved
- shots that are not related get edited together and use music and mood to link each other
- perceived as avant-garde so can often push the boundaries and be experimental.
example of poetic documentary
MAN OF ARAN- there isn't usually a typical narrative structure.
- music is used along side action to intensify the mood and tone that has already been created
- events are under-developed and sometimes situations can be unsolved
- shots that are not related get edited together and use music and mood to link each other
- perceived as avant-garde so can often push the boundaries and be experimental.
example of poetic documentary
- In which an artistic narrative is constructed - sometimes the topic is more human interest rather than current affairs based.
- This mode of documentary film tends toward subjective interpretations of its subject(s). Light on exaggeration, documentaries in this mode forsake traditional narrative content.
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