Week 2

Documentary ModesNarration

Narrative StructurePitching

Documentary Modes

Identify & Discuss the six documentary modes

How does form relate to content?Eg. The relation between the sound and the image or the kind of shots used

Documentary ModesPoetic mode = emphasises visual associations, tonal or rhythmic qualities, descriptive passages and formal organisation

Expository mode = verbal commentary and an argumentative logic

Observational = direct engagement with the every day life of subjects as observed by an unobtrusive camera

Documentary ModesParticipatory = interaction between filmmaker and subject

Reflexive = calls to attention the assumptions and conventions that govern documentary filmmaking

Performative = subjective or expressive aspect of the filmmakers engagement with the subject and an audiences responsiveness to this engagement

Documentary Modes ExamplesObservationalDA Pennebakker:Don’t Look Back, 1967 - vivid observation of Bob Dylan’s first tour of the UK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8plaE2qT_gA

Documentary Modes ExamplesPoeticA Propos de Nice,Jean Vigo, 23 mins,1930.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Ti_8c6qjI

Documentary Modes Examples

Expostitory John Berger: Ways of Seeing (1974)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jTUebm73IY

Documentary Modes ExamplesReflexiveUnmade Beds Nick Barker 1997

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5EVbvRU0ro

Documentary Modes ExamplesInteractive/Participatory

51 Birch street, Doug Block,2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOneMSHfxws

Documentary Modes Examples

PerformativeMorgan Spurlock Super Size Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATYJx3x0nyo

Narration

Lately it is unfashionable to use the disembodied, authoritative narration that is far too identified with older power structures. However, you may have directed a personal or anthropological film and want to use a perfectly justified narration to provide links or to supply context. Narration is always available as a recourse and need not be a dishonourable or detrimental one.

(adopted by Rabiger, 2009)

Narration can solve problems (such as establishing contexts, lack of momentum, provide details about characters etc), but equally it can create problems as well (intrusive nature, leading, authoritative voice) so you need to think carefully about its use and style.

Narrative Structure

Classic three act structure (from theatre)

(Establishing, Conflict, Resolution)Time: ChronologicalTime: ReorganisedTime: Unimportant

Pitching

You must be able to convince others that the ideas you have are original and unique and worthwhile to be produced.

•Step One

•Prepare one sentence that explains/describes your film.

•Step Two

•Prepare three—five sentences that describe your film

PitchingHints:•Tell the story•Engage your audience. •Highlight elements •Believe in your project•Feasible?