Documentary has evolved across different mediums. Traditionally, documentaries were consumed through radio broadcasts, magazine and newspaper photography, and films shown on television. Now, the rise of streaming platforms and podcasts has changed where audiences listen to radio documentaries. Photographs are commonly viewed online, altering the relationship between viewers and images. Video on demand has impacted documentary structure by allowing flexible viewing. Emerging technologies like virtual reality now provide interactive documentary experiences through apps and headsets.

1. EVOLUTION:
The changing face of Documentary
__________________________
_Documentary: Week 5__

2. This week
You are going to identify how documentary has
evolved.

3. Traditional documentary formats
Where did we traditionally enjoy
documentaries?
1. Listen to them on the radio
(here)
2. Look at Photo-Journalism in
magazines & newspapers
(photography)
3. Watch them on Film / TV
(moving image)

4. Documentary Photo
Who enjoys documentary
photos?_
Where do we enjoy them?_

10. Documentary Photo
What are the limitations of the
format?_
How much of the ‘truth’ can we
get from a photo?
How important is ‘feeling’ &
‘mood’ to photo documentary?

11. Radio Documentary
Listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ42kPXnlRU
What are the strengths of the
medium?
What different content can a
radio documentarian use?
What are the limitations of
radio documentary?

12. How are the different formats changing?
1) Radio documentary (broadcast radio)
● Where did we traditionally listen to
‘radio’ documentaries?__________
● Where do we listen to them now, and
what are they called?_________
● What are the benefits of streaming
podcasts?_________

13. How are the different formats changing?
2) Photography
● Where did we look at documentary
photos before?
● Where do we look at them now?
● How has greater access changed
the viewers relationship with
documentary photos?

14. How are the different formats changing?
3) Film / Video
● Where did we traditionally
watch documentaries, and
how has that changed?
● How has VOD changed the
format/structure of video
documentaries?

15. New technology means new mediums for
documentary producers to explore….
One of the exciting new
formats is Virtual Reality
documentaries, which are
often app based and played
over headsets.

16. Lets try some VR documentaries...

17. Task 1: Independent Research
As part of your theory assignment you need to
explain how documentary across the different
mediums has evolved.

18. Further reading:
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/best-podcasts
https://www.topteny.com/top-10-best-documentary-photographers-in-the-world/
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ng-interactive/2016/nov/10/virtual-reality-by-the-guardian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc-0u1wGOX4