2. Purpose of a documentary is to document and report with evidence, it has to be based on fact.You can document using:
• Footage
• Interviews
• Reconstruction
• Observation
A documentary relies on people who have seen the evidence and uses a narrative voice to anchor the audience. There are
multiple documentaries on a variety of subjects they resemble a film but has to be factual.
A documentary can rely on archive footage of people giving factual accounts of life e.g. WW2 documentaries will use archive
footage and interviews
Different types of documentaries include:
• Fly on the wall
• Verite
• Cinema verite
Documentaries are both art and reportage
3. Documentary types
Fully narrated documentary
• Direct address using voice over
• Narrator is voice of god
• Wildlife documentaries
Fly on the wall
• Drawn from direct and cinema
• Rely on observation
• Cameras left to record subject
• Audience comes to own conclusion
• Exposition left to subject
• Camera may affect behaviour
• Process of editing creates meaning
4. Documentary types
Mixed documentary
• Mixture of elements
• Still has narration but is in the style of the documentary
• Journalist can speak to the camera
• Action is happening over this
Self reflexive
• Acknowledges camera
• Speaks directly to film maker
• Makes a point of drawing attention to film makers roles and reality
• Critics say takes focus of importance away from subject
5. Documentary types
DocU drama
• Meant to have happened
• Dramatized with elements of fiction
• Exposition mixed with fiction
• Vividly recalls tragic events
• Critics say they hope to represent truth but only ever deliver fiction
• misleading and positively dangerous
DocU soap
• Phenomenon of relevant events
• Originated in Britan
• Many dispute whether is actually a documentary
• Eves dropping for exposition
• Low production cost
6. Documentaries are not popular withTV companies as they are problematic
British documentaries are known to be hard hitting and journalist as they look to report the truth
Documentaries can use sensational image to entice audiences
Tensions are arising as some people feel differently on how creative a documentary should be affecting the
authenticity. Film makers suggest that all film is faked as it is impossible to capture raw footage.
“I think the truth is hat you actually come away with at the end of seeing a film. I mean its your reality what
you’re seeing. Everybody who makes film is putting their own truth on screen” – Dianne Tames (film maker)
Documentaries have become more broad over the years, some people argue it should be called a ‘non-fiction
programme’
Despite differences both film and documentary makers agree documentaries should include:
• Observation
• Actual footage
• Recorded images
Current affairs are half way between a documentary and the news, current affairs are usually around 30 minutes
long and explore weightier issues e.g. dispatches.
Some current affair programmes have been accused of being rating driven and sensationalised
7. “It is critical film makers be rid of the fantasy that documentary can be an unproblematic representation of
reality and truth can be conveniently dispensed or received likeValium” Dennis o’Raw
Archive footage should still be questioning the truth
Documentaries attract lies and counter arguments
Documentaries are still heavily scripted as the represent a transformed world and may not represent the truth
The general publics interest seem to extend to programmes about sex, violence and law and order
The highest rated documentary was ‘Violence in America’
Documentaries aren’t seen often on commercial TV as they can often offend advertisers which creates tensions
between businesses.
PSB feature more documentaries as they are to serve the publics interest
There is a complex relationship between people in the documentaries, the producers and the people who edit
and make the documentaries
It is argued the public have a right to know to an extent the privacy of participants
8. John Corner
“what distinguishes documentaries is the portrayal of recorded sound and images of documentary”
Says the there are 5 central elements:
Observation
• Most documentaries use observations, the subjects ignore the camera meaning the camera acts as
a witness. However, participants may become objects instead of subjects.
Interviews
• TV documentaries rely on interviews. Interviews can be intercut with other elements or can be
uncut meaning the camera continuously films subjects.
Dramatization
• All documentaries use dramatization. Programme makers explore both sides of the argument to
create drama. Some documentaries use dramatization to make the audience sympathise with a
person or event.
Mise en scene
• Carefully compares the setting e.g. where someone is positioned or what they are wearing and also
what the audience can and cannot see.
Exposition
• This is the line of argument meaning what is the point/argument of the documentary. It is made up
of description and voice overs.The exposition can be either: Plain, Direct, Indirect or Hidden. If a
documentary has no line of argument there is no point to the documentary.
9. John Corner
Exposition is the line of argument in a documentary made up of description and voice over.
John Corner said there are 4 types of expositions used in documentaries:
• Plain
• Direct
• Indirect
• Hidden
One of these expositions are always present. If there is no line of argument there is no point to the documentary.
Naturally, some have stronger expositions than others.
Documentaries use human beings as evidence within their exposition
“Technologies only record traces of physical reality…
10. John Grierson
• Coined the term ‘documentary’ in 1926 and was a popular documenter in the 1930’s
• He defined a documentary as the creative treatment of actuality
• Documentaries were made for film to educate audiences on different subjects
His documentaries include:
• Housing problem
• Coal face
• Night mail
His documentaries had a sense of persuasion e.g. showed different perspectives
Some documentaries were more controversial than others
