2. Introduction
S Documentary modes was developed by Bill Nicholas and
contained six main modes. Documentaries will follow one
of these modes. Sometimes the modes can overlap and
sometimes a documentary can contain more than one
mode.
3. Poetic
S Poetic Documentaries tend to have no beginning, no
middle and no end. This type of documentary came
around the 1920s and mainly gives a overview of
historical expression. This mode is more abstract/lyrical
form and is meant to symbolise and signify. Poetic
Documentaries tend to be mainly music playing to
images and footage, this type doesn't use a narrator and
rarely has a person speaking in it.
4. Expository
S An expository documentary focuses on narrators talking
to the viewers. The narrator takes the role of god and
directs it to the audience. This type of documentary
focuses on the narrator explaining and describing the
events that is occurring in the scene/documentary. This
type of documentaries tend to be based on wildlife.
5. Participatory
S This type of documentary focuses on the 'subjects’. This
is done by having the film-maker being recorded with the
subject. Having the film-maker asking the questions to
the subjects. This type also makes the audience feel that
the film-maker is sharing their experiences with them.
This type of documentary is heavily reliant on the honesty
of the witnesses.
6. Observational
S Observational documentaries became popular in the
1960s, which is when cameras became smaller and
handheld. This documents life in a less intrusive manner
and requires less control form the film-makers. This style
of observing the social actors means that they are free to
act without interference.
7. Reflexive
S In a reflexive documentary they focus on realism and
representation. This is done by having the audience,
social actors/subjects and director aware that they are
being filmed and that it is a documentary. This kind of
documentary lets the subject react to events and causes
that are made by the director. This form of documentary
lets the viewer choose/have their own judgment on the
events.
8. Performative
S This is a documentary that includes the documentary
maker, and sometimes is mainly about the director. The
documentary maker becomes the subject and the
documentary becomes more autobiographical.
