The document discusses different types of documentaries: fully narrated documentaries use voiceovers to provide context to visuals; fly on the wall documentaries seem like a natural, unobserved setting through editing and camerawork; mixed documentaries use interviews, observation, and narration; reflexive documentaries include the filmmaker addressing the audience directly; reflexive and participatory documentaries include the filmmaker as part of the footage focusing on their emotions; and abstract documentaries depict a subject in a non-realistic, unusual way.

1. Post 5 : Types of
documentary
By Lewis Whyte

2. Fully narrated
• Fully narrated documentaries are documentaries with a
voice over to help the audience gain a better
understanding of what's happening within the
documentary. Often uses direct address and the voice
follows the visuals which the audience is seeing. Narrator
is often known as the ‘Voice of God’.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvLTyTWK4TU

3. Fly on the wall
• Fly on the wall documentaries captures footage in a way
so that it seems like a natural setting to the audience
however the editing and camera work is all arranged so
that we feel as though we are there but not seen.
• These documentaries are filmed as it happens and are
not staged; gives a sense of reality.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkKJQF1xSJU

4. Mixed documentary
• Mixed documentaries use a combination of interviews,
observation and narration to help advance the argument
the creator is trying to make move forward.
• Mixed documentaries also have pictures added on top of
the image as the journalist speaks over.

5. Reflexive
• Within a reflexive documentary the documentary maker
talks to the camera to try to draw the attention of the
audience.
• Reflexive documentaries have been criticised as being
confusing to an audience as they can be said to be
drawing attention to themselves for publicity.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3m1beasBjQ

6. Reflexive and Participatory
• Reflexive and participatory documentaries are reflexive
documentaries with the added appearance of the
documentary maker as part of the footage.
• The documentary will revolve around his emotions and
his feelings as he is the one participating within the
documentary.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnAObKXE6Js

7. Abstract
• Abstract documentaries are documentaries which are on a
specific subject and are away from reality.
• They are often seen as unusual documentaries and are barely
shown on television anymore.
• To watch abstract documentaries you will need to find
specific/dedicated channels.