Types of documentary

1. Post 5 : Types of
documentary
By Lewis Whyte

2. Fully narrated
• Fully narrated documentaries are documentaries with a
voice over to help the audience gain a better
understanding of what's happening within the
documentary. Often uses direct address and the voice
follows the visuals which the audience is seeing. Narrator
is often known as the ‘Voice of God’.

3. Fly on the wall
• Fly on the wall documentaries captures footage in a way
so that it seems like a natural setting to the audience
however the editing and camera work is all arranged so
that we feel as though we are there but not seen.
• These documentaries are filmed as it happens and are
not staged; gives a sense of reality.

4. Mixed documentary
• Mixed documentaries use a combination of interviews,
observation and narration to help advance the argument
the creator is trying to make move forward.
• Mixed documentaries also have pictures added on top of
the image as the journalist speaks over.

5. Reflexive
• Within a reflexive documentary the documentary maker
talks to the camera to try to draw the attention of the
audience.
• Reflexive documentaries have been criticised as being
confusing to an audience as they can be said to be
drawing attention to themselves for publicity.

6. Reflexive and Participatory
• Reflexive and participatory documentaries are reflexive
documentaries with the added appearance of the
documentary maker as part of the footage.
• The documentary will revolve around his emotions and
his feelings as he is the one participating within the
documentary.

7. Abstract
• Abstract documentaries are documentaries which are on
a specific subject and are away from reality.
• They are often seen as unusual documentaries and are
barely shown on television anymore.
• To watch abstract documentaries you will need to find
specific/dedicated channels.

8. Video diaries
• Descended from direct cinema – seen as reliable and truthful
as we see the subject filming the footage themselves.
• Off-shoot of this are the documentaries which use
surveillance technology as entertainment.

9. Theatrical documentaries
• These documentaries are released in the cinema.
• Traditional of cinematic documentaries about pop stars,
sport etc.
• These documentaries are clearly scripted and presented
as the viewpoint of a p
• articular individual.

10. Docusoap
• Follow the lives individuals. Usually with designated occupations.
• These documentaries are very popular.
• Emphasis on entertainment rather than instruction.
• Based around personalities who play up to the camera and talk directly to it and often
become celebrities themselves.
• Focus on everyday lives and problems rather than social issues which are underlying.
• Some scenes are known to be set up ; selective editing.

11. Docudrama
• A re-enactment of events as though they actually happened.
• Mixture of Docusoap and docudrama is mainly scripted so that
its more entertaining. Examples : Made in Chelsea, The only
way is Essex.
• Similar to soap operas ; fast editing, multi-strand narratives
and are part of a series.