2. Bill Nichols
American film theorist, came up with
a way to categorise different types of
documentaries, based on their
techniques and features.
3. Poetic
Early form of documentary, focusing more on images, experiences and sounds
than on story.
Narrative is less important than feeling and mood.
More art-house than what most people would consider a documentary.
4. Expository
What most people think of as documentary.
A film which aims to inform and persuade it's audience about a subject.
Uses authoritative voice of God narration
Often used in nature documentaries
Planet Earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqeC6XB94zs
5. Observational
The classic ‘Fly on the wall’ documentary, where we observe the subject, with
minimal / no interaction on the part of the film-maker (no interviews, no staged
events, no questions).
The quest for authenticity.
Gives a 1st hand view of the subjects life, balanced view of events
Pioneered in the ‘Cinema verite’ style of documentary film-making.
Don’t Look Back (Bob Dylan).
6. Participatory
The film-maker is a part of the documentary film, the audience can either see or
hear them in the final film.
There are differing degrees of participation (could be just asking questions like
Herzog, or could be Theroux on camera)
By participating in the film, the film-maker influences the events in the
documentary. What problems does that create for our relationship with the truth?
Louis Theroux - Most Hated Family in America https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9mi1RX7Ttg&t=43s
7. Performative
The documentary film-maker shares their own personal stories within the context
of wider social themes & stories.
The film-maker is a key aspect of the film.
How does this affect issues of truth & balance?
Ari Folman - Waltz with Bashir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynH68E1GEdc
8. Essay Documentary
A subversive, alternative look at a ‘hot topic’, something that probably doesn’t get
much coverage in mainstream media (politics/social injustice/ethical issues).
Often the documentary film-makers narrates the essay/film (using voice-over or by
being in the film), expressing their subjective truth to the viewer.
Often low budget
Adam Curtis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyop0d30UqQ
Chris Marker (French Film-maker) one of the forms pioneers.
Michael Moore
9. TASK 1
Watch the documentary ‘Grizzly Man’ and analyse what form of documentary you
think it is.
