2. What is a documentary?
A documentary’s main purpose is to document, as well as inform, educate and
entertain.
They use actuality footage or reconstructions to document events.
John Corner (1995) defined documentaries as ‘recorded sound and images of
actuality’.
There are 6 different types of documentary: Mixed, Fully Narrated, Fly on the
Wall, Docudrama, Docusoap and Self-Reflective.
3. The history of documentaries
John Grierson created the term ‘documentary’ in 1926.
He defined the key principles of documentaries in the 1930s.
His documentaries include Coal Face (1935) and Night Mail (1936).
The idea of documentaries was to use real life situations to give the public an
insight into other people’s lives and show the country at work, which would
create a sense of empathy and national identity.
4. The 5 Key Elements of a Documentary
According to John Corner, there are 5 key elements of documentaries.
Observation- This is footage that observes real life events. The camera is ignored.
Interviews- A structured conversation that aims to give the audience information.
Mise en Scene- The different elements of mise en scene, eg setting and costume
reflect the purpose of the documentary and creates meaning and understanding
for the audience.
Dramatization- This is where real life events are made more dramatic through
reconstructions or observational footage.
Exposition- This is the line of argument: what the documentary is saying. This can
be direct or indirect.
5. Fully Narrated Documentaries
Fully narrated documentaries have a voice over that creates understanding
for the audience, which goes alongside observational footage.
They use ‘Voice of God’ narration; you don’t see the narrator and they take
and authoritative tone.
An example of a fully narrated documentary is Planet Earth.
6. Fly on the Wall Documentaries
Fly on the Wall documentaries use purely observational footage.
They show events as they happen, with the audience observing as if they
were a fly on the wall.
The subjects do not acknowledge that they are being filmed; there is no
interaction with the crew.
This type of documentary has roots in Cinéma Vérité in France, and Direct
Cinema in the US.
An example of a fly on the wall documentary is Cops.
7. Mixed Documentaries
Mixed documentaries are a mix of elements from other documentary types,
such as interviews, observational footage, archive material and narration.
The narrator links all the elements together to form a narrative.
An example of a mixed documentary is Kenny Rogers: Cards on the Table.
8. Self-Reflective Documentaries
In self-reflective documentaries, the documentary maker talks directly to the
camera.
Subjects of the documentary acknowledge the camera, crew and filmmaker.
An example of a self-reflective documentary is Man vs Wild.
9. Docudrama
A docudrama is a dramatized re-enactment of actual events.
It follows historical fact; it is based on real events.
An example of a docudrama is Heroes and Villains.
10. Docusoap
A docusoap follows people in a particular location, situation or occupation
over a period of time.
There are elements of soap operas as the documentary follows their lives.
An example of a docusoap is Vet School.
