A Expostitory documentary is one which views it's subject from an outsider's point of view. There will always be a disembodied voice-over which is looking upon the subject of the documentary from a God-like position. This voice-over tells us everything we 'need' to know about what is happening on screen. For example, David Attenborough does voice-overs for a lot of documentaries about animals and nature, when a certain animal is on screen he will tell us everything we need to know about that animal. He is giving us an understanding of what is going on rather than an opinion on what is going on. Usually, the voice-over will be an authoritative 'posh' white male. For example in the documentary We Are The Lambeth Boys (1958) the voice over used is a much higher-class compared to the young people in the film, who are all definitely working class.
An Observational documentary is one which is completely unobtrusive both in it's construction and depiction. Other than the filmmaker physically being there there is no contact between the subjects of the documentary and the filmmaker. The filmmaker will just film what is going on rather than have interviews with the people on screen, like somebody in the background. The filmmaker is also never seen by the audience, this makes the viewer feel like what they are watching is completely real and not like a regular programme or film. An example of an observational documentary would be High School (1968). Filming an observational documentary in a high school is a good use of the form as a lot goes on in a high school that is interesting without any further investigation than just watching what goes on. Another example of a observational documentary is Children Underground (2001).
An Interactive documentary is one in which the filmmaker is present, like a host of the programme. There will always be visible interaction between the presenter and the interviewee and also from the presenter to the audience. Usually in interactive documentaries an agenda is behind the project, political, investigative etc. this is seen through the manipulation of the text, unlike in an observational documentary where what we take away from the piece is our choice rather than being forced an opinion from the filmmaker. Sometimes interactive documentaries are criticised for 'misrepresentation' of what is actually going on, though the filmmakers themselves would argue that what they are presenting is much more important than the fine details. An example of an interactive documentary would be any documentary by Louis Theroux. Another Example of an interactive documentary would be any of Michael Moore's documentaries, e.g. SiCKO (2007).
A Reflexive documentary is where the filmmaker tries to expose the conventions of a regular documentary by using more abstract and artistic techniques. Because of this they are very different in comparison to the other types of documentary. They are very experimental and can be hard to penetrate from an audience's point of view. The filmmaker will film shots from 'everyday life' but then use that footage and arrange it in a way which can single out points they are trying to make. An example of a reflective documentary is Territories (1984) by Isaac Julien. Another example of a reflexive documentary is Spy in the Huddle (2013) this is because a lot of the documentary is about a brand new technology which they are using to actually film the documentary itself, bring something different to the genre.
A Performative documentary is one which is more concerned with the presentation of the information rather than the detailed content. This is done through the use of re-enactments/constructions, dramatic camera angles and soundtracks which help us become involved in the diegesis of the piece. Performative documentaries aim to present their subject matter in a subjective, stylised and evocative fashion. An example of a performative documentary is The Thin Blue Line (1988). Another example of performative documentary filmmaking is in the programme Crimewatch (1984 - present).
I would like to make a completely observational documentary like High School (1968). Out of all of the documentaries that I saw (I was away on the day the class watched Louis and The Nazis) the one I found most interesting and entertaining was High School. Much like High School I will hopefully be able to film at my own college, maybe being allowed to film in 2 or 3 full classes then intersplice the footage together as a kind of narrative. I want to show an accurate portrayal of a class that is in progress, and I think the most truthful way of showing this would be through the means of a observational documentary.
I believe that documentary makers have to have accurate information in their films, but I don't necessarily believe that the way they present their footage has to be completely truthful in terms of exact happenings of the subjects on film. I think they have a right to put in any order that they want to have it, but I do think that the factual information that is given does definitely have to be correct, e.g. any quantitative data, correct dates etc. As long as the message that comes out from watching the documentary is a good, humanitarian one, I don't mind.
References
All pictures are from Google™ Images
Correct dates from http://www.wikipedia.org/ - (date of access 27/02/2014)
Top Ten Observational Documentaries - http://www.sbs.com.au/blog/125959/t/Top-ten-observational-documentaries?cid=23255 - (date of access 27/02/2014)
All videos from YouTube.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent first draft from you and you have achieved a merit for GC2. To get a pass grade for GC1, you need to include details of and examples for access and privacy when talking about interactive docs.
If yu want to aim for a distinction, you should explain why the examples you have picked are good examples for exemplifying the doc format eg, mention specific scenes and actions.
EllieB