1. Documentaries
Tom Barden

2. What is a documentary?
 A documentary is defined as “A movie or television or
radio program that provides a factual record or report.”
 They often present social, political or historical subject
matters.
 Often consist of actual news films or interviews
accompanied by narration.

3. What makes a good documentary?
 Must have a „story‟ – “A story to inform, evoke and
educate.”
 Must be exciting, compelling and interesting
 Credible information
 Aim for objectivity
 A good documentary will often raise more questions than
answers
 Present both sides of the story

4. Modes of documentary
 Reflexive
 Observational
 Expository
 Participatory
 Poetic
 Tends towards subjective interpretations of it‟s subjects –
abstract representations of reality
 Performative
 Stress subjective experience and emotional response to the
world

5. Wonders of the Universe
 Black holes extract

6. Wonders of the Universe Overview
 Presented by Professor Brian Cox
 Public figure
 Produced in 2011 for the BBC
 Use of editing and visual metaphors to explain
complicated scientific principals
 Visually stimulating
 Different theme for each episode
 Time, elements, gravity, light

7. Wonders of the Universe Documentation
 Shot across the globe
 Mostly presented through voice overs and visual
metaphors
 Focus on natural world
 Similarities to documentaries we are familiar with – David
Attenborough

8. Wonders of the Universe Interviewees
 Interviews are very rare
 Program relies on Brian Cox‟s presentation of information

9. Wonders of the Universe - Camera
 Wide range of angles and movement
 Close ups, high angles, tracking shot
 Very cinematic
 Helicopter shots, landscapes
 Handheld camera
 Informal tone

10. Wonders of the Universe - Modes
 Reflexive
 Observational
 Expository