2. What is a Documentary.
A short film using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events
to provide a factual report on a particular subject.
Consisting of or based on official documents.
A film or television or radio programme that provides a factual report on a
particular subject.
What is the purpose of a Documentary?
The purpose is to document- with evidence, interviews and footage- something
that has actually happened
3. John Grierson
John Grierson (26 April 1898 – 19 February 1972) was
a pioneering Scottish documentary maker.
He produced 38 films up until his death in 1972 and
coined the phrase 'Documentary‘
He produced 38 films up until his death in 1972 and
coined the phrase 'Documentary‘
4. Examples of his work
Night mail - British postal employees collect and sort mail on a night train from England to Scotland.
The Saving of Bill Blewitt-The Saving of Bill Blewitt is a 1936 documentary film produced by Alberto
Cavalcanti of the GPO Film Unit and directed by Harry Watt
Drifters- Drifters is silent documentary film by John Grierson, his first and only personal film. It tells the
story of Britain's North Sea herring fishery
Coal Face- Coal Face is a 1935 British documentary film short directed by Alberto Cavalcanti. With a film
score by Benjamin Britten and a poem written and narrated by W.H.
5. John Corner
Observation:
The capturing visuals of actuality. The camera is the eyewitness and unacknowledged by the subject
Interview:
Different interviews are undertaken and shown to provide information. The subjects are addressed and
questioned
Mise-en-scene:
All shots are carefully composed to include relevant mise-en-scene to provide meaning and reality for the
audience
Dramatization:
Something is usually re-enacted and dramatized which helps illustrate information and provide entertainment
for the audience. Dramatic events are often witnessed through documentaries
Exposition:
The line of argument is always stated. it's what the documentary is trying to say to the audience. It can either be
direct and obvious or subtle and indirect but it always exists
6. Types of Documentaries
Docusoap
a documentary following people in
a particular occupation or location
over a period of time
Docudrama
dramatized TV film based on real
events, based on fact and true
information
Mixed
combines interviews, actual
footage, narration and archive
footage
Fly on the wall Fully Narrative Self-Reflexive
no interviews or discussion, just
observes people and events,
subjects don't acknowledge the
camera
a narrator speaks over the visuals
to give information and
understanding to the audience
the filmmaker is very present
and seen on camera, they
interact with the interviewees
