media studies A2

1. TYPES OF
DOCUMENTARIES

2. • Fly on the wall /verite documentary – Observational
documentaries, where cameras are left to record with no
commentary/narration – viewers come to a conclusion. The
camera may effect how a person behaves – the editing can
help create meaning. Exposition is handed over to the
subjects e.g. Police interceptors or Big brother
• Fully narrated documentary – Uses direct address(voice over)
for the visuals on screen are explained e.g. Planet Earth or
frozen planet
• Self reflective documentaries – the subject acknowledges the
camera, who directly speak to the director. The film makers
role draws attention from the constructed view of reality.
These documentaries can be confusing since it may be more
about the film maker rather than the subjects in the
documentary e.g. Ross kemp or Louis Theroux
Documentary types

3. • Mixed documentary – A mixture of interview, observing and
narration. are very popular on TV e.g. The jinx The narration
will link to the style and tone of the documentary. These
documentaries
• Docusoap – these documentaries have had a good success
over recent years – they show the daily lives of people like in
school, occupation or a location over a period of time.
Originating from the UK, there are usually conflict in these
shows since they eavesdrop into peoples lives – that includes
there opinion. The documentaries are very popular and have
a low production cost since it needs minimal crew with low
cast fees. They allow people to see places or jobs that the
audience wouldn’t have seen before e.g. Vet school or Worlds
strictest parents or Come fly with me
• Docudrama – these documentaries re-enact events that have
already happened and turn them into dramas. They may have
elements of fiction since they are based on truth. Critics say
they ‘Claim to represent the truth but only hope to deliver
fiction, at worst they mislead or positively damage. e.g Jimmy
Mcgovern hillsborough, Little boy blue or ghost hunters
Documentary types