Describing the modes of documentary

1. Modes of
Documentary

2. Reflexive
“in which the film maker acknowledges their presence –
they are in front of the camera and give some narrative
guidance.”
Catfish is hosted my Nev and
Max and narrated by Nev.
Ross Kemp on
Gangs is a reflexive
documentary
following Ross
Kemp through gang
neighborhoods in
America.
In Weird Weekends,
Theroux followed
marginal, mostly
American subcultures
such as survivalists,
black nationalists,
white supremacists and
porn stars, often by
living among or close
to the people involved.

3. Observatory
“being there as events unfold these documentaries tend to
follow a person or event and document their journey as it
occurs. The camera remains as un-obstructive as possible
allowing their audience to make up their own mind.”
Meerkat Manor was one of the most
successful observatory documentaries
of its time, critisised and praised for its
approach of not interfering with any
situation with the meerkats.
A long-running nature
documentary series on
BBC television which
follows the lives of
African big cats in
Kenya's Maasai Mara.

4. Expository
“an analysis and exposition of a person or topic. For
example Michael Moore exposes society to forms of
political corruption.”
An insight into the private world of Clarence House through the
rise and fall of William Tallon, devoted servant, friend and butler
to the Queen Mother.

5. Participatory
“the participatory mode welcomes direct engagement
between filmmaker and subject(s), the filmmaker becomes a
part of the events being recorded.”
While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock
personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely
McDonald's food for one month.