2. Poetic Documentaries
Poetic documentaries focus on creating an abstract piece of
film by portraying meaningful images with complimenting,
intense music as the soundtrack. Through this technique,
poetic documentaries portray a mesmerizing art that sucks its
audiences into the countless moving images.
The very first poetic documentary was in released 1920’s. In
fact poetic documentaries were evident in the early 20th
centaury due to the discovery of sound with moving images.
A famous example of a poetic documentary is Samsara which
is a stunning film that features extraordinary breath taking
images featuring symphonic soundtracks.
The ultimate goal is to create feeling rather tan a truth
3. Expository Documentary
For my film studies short film project, I had created a Expository
documentary which included various images with a stunning
soundtrack with a voice over which talked about peace and how
we should reach for it. My aim was to educate and encourage my
audiences on what peace was and how to find it.
An expository documentary, as explained above, follows the same
steps as a poetic documentary however it is the closest to the
definition of a documentary.
This type of documentary is featured in history documentaries.
Instead of creating feeling, like a poetic documentary, expository
documentaries aim to uncover truths and persuade its audience.
4. Observational Documentaries
Observational documentaries originated in the mid 1960’s when portable filming
equipment was more common to purchase and widely used
The aim of these documentaries were to capture real life events that many people
would not be able to see in day to day life. This gives audiences a taste of the third
world dimension that his hidden from an every day persons life.
The documentaries can take the narrative of simply following celebrities around in
their exciting, fame filled life such as reality shows. The Kardashian is a famous
example as the camera man simple follows the family around whilst they pretend the
cameraman isn't in their presence.
However traditionally the style aims to give a vice to an untold truth or a private
matter.
5. Participatory Documentaries
Participatory documentaries are when the filmmaker is
’participating’ in the documentary as well as filming it.
The filmmaker plays a huge role in deciding the path of the
narrative and almost acts as another character.
This interaction with the documentary could be as simple as
the filmmakers voice being heard whilst the filming f the
documentary is taking place.
A good example is Bear Grylls who features talking to the
camera man and camera crew frequently whilst on his
incredible adventures.
6. Reflexive Documentary
These documentaries are linked to participatory documentaries, however they
solely focus on the filmmaker and how they make films.
Reflexive documentaries are common on dvd’s of blockbuster films which feature
behind the scenes work of the film maker and producer/director.
Louis Theroux is a famous example of a film maker who makes reflexive
documentaries. He is known for his controversial method of reflexive film making
as he is in front of the camera and is a casual interviewer.
7. Performative Documentaries
Performative documentaries are the daddy of al documentaries as they are an
experimental combination of styles used to stress a subject experience and share
an emotional response to the world.
These often feature personal accounts or experience juxtaposed with arguer
political or historical issues.
This is sometimes been called the ‘Michael Moore’ style as he often used his own
personal stories as a way to construct social truths.
