Introduction to Documentaries

Types of documentary

Fully narrative: Everything that is seen is anchored by a voiceover, uses 'Voice of god' - The truth

Fly on the wall: Focuses on observation, little commentary, They are filmed when the moment is actually happening. The camera can be used to convey chilling moments. These types of documentary are all down to editing as they are built on meaning

Mixed: Mixed documentaries use a blend of interview, observation and narration. The narrator unfold the story throughout the documentary. They represent objective reality not just construction

Self reflective: These documentaries are focused on talking to the camera, this draws attention to the person, this shows the film makers rols in the view of reality, it reflects on the film maker not just the subject

Docu-Dramas: These re-anact events, they focus on real events for example JFK or Hillsborough. They try to relive truth but they deliver fiction. They can be misleading for example the program Airport.

Docu-Soaps: These follow daily lives of people, these type of documentaries were originated in the UK. These questioned on whether they are documentaries at all as they require a minimal film crew

Some documentaries are 'glossed up' , they are watered down to appeal to audiences, and example of this are Fly on the wall documentaries or Docu-Dramas. Focus is often softened so that hard hitting subjects appeal to an audience so they do not challenge the subject.

1. The purpose of a documentary is to document an event, this must be done with evidence
2. Actual footage is allowed to be used in a documentary
3. Reconstructions can be added to create a meaning to a viewer
4. Voice overs are used during documentaries
5. Documentaries are problematic
6. There can be numerous amounts of documented events. They may resemble elements of truth
7. Even though documentaies are considered as 'real' we should still question them

• Five central features of documentary: Observation, Mise en scene, Interview, Exposition, Dramatisation

• Although giving a factual amount of an event does not always mean actual footage. It is important to realise that even in a documentary a high level of construction takes place. Documentary does not have analysis, they are descriptive and leave the viewer to decide an opinion

• John Grierson stated that documentaries are the 'creative amount of actuality'
• He created two documentaries: Housing problems 1935
•                                                    Coal Face 1935
• He created documentaries to give the idea that people are given a glimpse into other peoples lives. Documentaries were created in times of the war to boost morale

• Scheduling of a documentary is important - positioning of the documentary can be tricky. Mostly emotional or sensational documentaries are usually on TV. They offer a balanced view point, this leaves the viewer to make up their mind

• There are a range os sub genres that now fit into the term documentary. Despite the arguments all documentaries agree that there must be elements of recorded images and sounds of the actual reality. They are not just about facts

• Current affairs programmes are half way between a documentary and the news, they offer a deep analysis of an issue. They can range from a few minutes to 30 minutes long. The difference between current affairs programmes and documentaries are that documentaries take months to make as there are shorter deadlins for current affairs programmes

'It is crucial that film makers be rid of the fantasy that the documentary can be unproblematic represantation of reality and truth can be conviently dispensed and recieved like valium' - Dennis O' Rourke

'What distinguishes documentary is a portrayal of the recorded sounds and images of actuality' - John Corner

'Truth is what you actually come away with at the end of seeing the film. I mean its your truth you're seeing. Everybody who makes a film is putting their own truth on the screen' - Diane Tammers, Film maker