Types of documentaries for A2 Media Studies

1. TYPES OF DOCUMENTARIES
By Adam Wareing

2. FULLY NARRATED
• Includes the voice of God
The narrator knows all
• Makes sense of events
The narrator speaks over footage to increase audience’s understanding
• Direct address
The narrator speaks directly to the audience
Examples:
BBC-Human Planet
Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DsOjXWF-c0
BBC-Planet Earth
Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpxdBCaJGEM

3. FLY ON THE WALL
• Reliant upon observation
Puts the audience at the heart of the event, allows them to make their own judgement.
• Cinema Verite
Conveys realism such as filming police officers on their shift.
• No commentary
Left to record without interference.
Control given to subjects
The filmmakers have minimal control over the camera.
Examples:
Channel 4- 24 hours in A&E
Full episode: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/24-hours-in-ae
Channel 4- 24 hours in police custody
Full episode: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/24-hours-in-police-
custody

4. MIXED DOCUMENTARIES
• Interviews
People with knowledge of the subject (experts) speak in conversation to
complement or add context to visuals such as archive footage.
• Relatable Narrator
The narrator often has a relatable accent to the audience to enable trust in
the information they are providing to be built
• Reporting Style
Follows news reporting conventions of presenting footage alongside audio to compliment
each other
Examples:
- Kenny Rodgers: Cards on the table
Full programme: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3zv4p3
Netflix- Attacking the Devil
Full programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb1jwjaFads

5. SELF REFLEXIVE
Camera Acknowledgement
The subject acknowledges the camera to address the filmmaker
Attention on filmmaker
The Subject talks to the filmmaker attracting audience attention to the filmmaker
himself
Criticisms- Believed to only be produced to publicise filmmakers and feed
their narcissism
Examples:
- Ross Kemp On Gangs Brazil
Programme clip:http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d0d_1179269897
ITV The Kyle Files
Full episode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFk22cGyXKM

6. DOCU-DRAMA
• Reinactment
Reconstructions of events are produced to demonstrate issue however this is often
dramatised for entertainment purposes.
• Fictional Narrative
Elements of the piece will be from the real event, however, it is common for fiction
to be used to create more drama.
Criticisms- Inevitable partiality can pass opinions off as truth do to the audience
believing the production is purely documenting the truth.
Examples:
BBC- Hillsborough
Full programme:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yIAGkOpzSk
Reconstruction of the second Civil War
Full programme:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOJch5C8aEg

7. DOCU-SOAP
• Everyday Life
They document everyday life of their subjects to gain an insight into their lives.
Not Explorative
The production serves to simply eavesdrop on people’s lives which is popular with British
Audiences and low in production costs eg. Not cast to pay.
• Exploits fascinations
This type of documentary has been seen to reach 13 millions viewers and is the most popular
of modern documetaries.
Examples:
BBC- Airport
Full episode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg0PCS_Y4Es
ITV- The Only Way Is Essex
Link to episodes: http://www.itv.com/essex