This document outlines Bill Nichols' six modes of documentary filmmaking: poetic, expository, participatory, observational, reflexive, and performative. It provides examples for each mode. The poetic mode uses subjective views and rhythmic editing with no opposing views. The expository mode relies on narration and images to support the story. The participatory mode involves filmmakers in the narrative through interviews and ability to alter events. The observational mode takes a "fly on the wall" approach with minimal interference. The reflexive mode shows the filmmaking process. The performative mode treats subjects and filmmakers as co-creators through performance elements. Many documentaries use elements of multiple modes.

1. BILL NICHOLS’ DOCUMENTARY
MODES THEORY: EXAMPLES.
By Charlie Nelson.

2. Poetic mode
• Application of one subjective view.
• No opposing views.
• No narrative.
• Audience make their own judgement.
• Makes use of rhythmic and fast editing
(soviet montage).
• “Man With A Movie Camera” by Dziga
Vertov makes use of this mode.
• “Samsara” by Ron Fricke is a another
example.

3. Expository mode
• The most common style of
documentary.
• “Voice of God” (narration).
• Narration is important to help tell the
story.
• Images support the narration.

4. Participatory mode
• Less or no plot in advance.
• Film makers are in the
narrative.
• This allows them to conduct
interviews.
• Their actions alter onscreen
events.

5. Observational mode
• “Fly on the wall” style.
• Filmmaker is unobtrusive or invisible.
• Lots of hand held camera shots.
• Diegetic sound.
• With few interviews and little or no
voiceover.
• BBC’s “Hospital” is an example.
• Another example is “High School”.

6. Reflexive mode
• The viewer sees how the
documentary is being made.
• Filmmaker is included in the footage
(e.g. Vertov’s “Man With A Movie
Camera”).
• Make audiences aware of problems
during filming.
• Filmmaker can be the main story.
• Nick Broomfield specialises in this
mode.

7. Performative mode
• Often confused with participatory.
• Filmmaker and subjects are
creating the documentary, by their
actions.
• Includes elements of
performance.

8. Summary
You might have noticed that
some of the same
documentaries, appear in
different modes. This is
because a lot of them make
use, of more than one of
these methods.

9. Acknowledgements
https://liftoff.network/bill-nichols-6-modes-documentary/
https://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-media-conference-2014-teaching-documentary-part-
two.pdf
http://nickbroomfield.com
https://www.slideshare.net/cheffernan/reflexive-documentaries
https://www.videomaker.com/article/c06/18423-six-primary-styles-of-documentary-production
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08w8ktc/episodes/guide
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dziga_Vertov
https://keyconceptsinmc.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/doc-modes-nichols.pdf