Art direction involves intentionally using elements like set design, props, costumes, makeup, and location to help tell the story, establish time and place, and set tone. In documentaries, art direction is still used to reconstruct scenes and establish context through visual elements even if the goal is factual accuracy rather than fictional narrative. Art directors must find creative ways to provide documentary viewers with information through intentional visual choices.

1. Art Direction

2. Marking Key
Art
direction
 intentional and appropriate use of mise-en-scene and/or the
composition of multiple art direction elements in the scene
 portrayal of time/place/context
 colour, objects, symbols
 prop creation or acquisition and/or decisions relating to
props
 costume creation or acquisition and/or decisions relating to
costumes
 hair and make-up
 decisions relating to location choice and/or location scouting

3. Purpose of Art Direction in film
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4. Telling the plot
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5. Fitting the character/scene narrative
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6. Documentary
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7. Tone
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8. Film: American
Beauty
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9. Documentary: Massacre at Columbine High
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10. Symbolism
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11. Film: A Single Man
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12. Documentary:
Merchants of Doubt
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13. How do you apply Art Direction to documentary?
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