6 Types of Documentry

Modes of Documentary

What are the modes of documentary?Modes are a way of categorizing different types of documentary

We can put them in groups based on how they present the truth, how they interact with the subject of the documentary etc

HistoryThe different modes were identified by the film critic Bill Nichols.

They are: Interactive ExpositoryObservationalReflexivePerformative

Lets look at how the film-makers affect the mode of documentary.

Who can name either of these famous documentary film-makers?Michael MooreDavid Attenborough

Lets compare 2 different documentaries.

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What were the differences between how Michael & David filmed their documentaries?Michael MooreDavid Attenborough

Appeared on screenInteracted with subjects Made a judgement Subjective has a personal point of viewNot on screenNo interaction with the subjectsNon-judgementalObjective has an unbiased point of view

Observational DocumentaryA documentary where the filmmaker is a neutral observer. (from the outside looking in)

The film-maker is normally out of shot so they cannot influence what is happening.

Nothing is rehearsed or staged, this means the camera crew have to rush around, resulting in poor shaky looking footage.

Which of the previous 2 documentaries was observational?

Participatory (interactive) DocumentaryA participatory documentary is where the events and situations are influenced and altered by the presence of the filmmaker.

The documentary is subjective and it can biased as the presenter influences events through their quesitoning.

Participatory / interactive film-makers include.

Louis Theroux, Michael Moore, Ross Kemp, Nev Schulman

Expository DocumentaryVoice over from an authoritative person (referred to as voice of god)

Persuasive narration

Argues its point of view

Different from observational as it has a specific point of view

A good example of this is An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Reflexive DocumentaryThe mode uses footage and information that will lead viewers to a specific outcome and therefore (essentially) forces the viewer to come a certain opinion.

One sided, biased, and therefore ubalanced.

This documentary cant show the truth only one persons version of the truth

Accepts that documentary cant be *real* in the true sense.

Lets watch the video on moodle

Performative DocumentaryAbout the experiences of the film-maker. The film-maker is the subject.

The film-maker is often on screen and provides a voiceover

Biased, subjective and very personal to the film-maker.

Very similar to participatory documentary, but perfomative documentaries are much more subjective and only presents the truth according to the documentarian.

TaskWorking in pairs research the documentary format you have been given.

Write up a definition, explaining its features using examples you find on YouTube. What are its good points and bad points?

Upload this to the documentary modes forum on Moodle.

Task 2Write a magazine article on all the documentary formats using the online site Joomag http://www.joomag.com/

You will need to sign up to the site, which is free.