Download - Documentary styles examples
Documentary Styles
ExamplesBill Nichols distinguishes 6 different types of
documentaries: poetic, expository, observational, participatory, reflexive, and performative.
Poetic ModeExplores the complex editing within a documentary; juxtaposing and linking images, video clips and music etc. Koyannisqatsi 1982 Godfrey Reggio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=546AUDxeHKs
Koyannisqatsi is a Hopi Indian term for ‘life out of balance’. The documentary explores the unseen world using images, videos and music effectively together.
The documentary begins with a blind
effect of the title. This is an example of poetic mode because it uses artificial music along
with the title to create an effective beginning.
There is then a montage of video clips of
buildings and cities. Here again, there is a link with
videos and music, suggesting this
documentary to be an example of poetic mode.
Another montage of the public is then used, along with a slow motion pace and
dramatic music. This mix of videos, music and
editing creates an example of poetic
mode.
A mid shot video of a women is then used with a tube going past, giving an effect of strong winds.
Likewise, the video is accompanied with artificial music.
Expository Mode Expository mode explores documentaries which include factual information and figures, having interviews to back up the topic also.America’s Most Wantedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMCVH3wdU2w
The documentary begins with a presenter
introducing the topic and content. In this scene, the director uses an
establishing shot of what looks like a court house
to emphasise the seriousness of the topic.
There is then a series of secondary images showing the person
who is the focus of the documentary. The
images are displayed as a montage along
with a voiceover.
There is then a interview with the local police
department to support the topic. There is also a caption at the bottom of the screen. His interview is also used a voiceover
on top of videos relevant to what he is saying.
Use of surveillance footage is then used. This provides factual
footage which has not been filmed or produced. The
footage also provides back up on the topic.
Observational Mode Observational mode tends to just observe, allowing viewers to reach to their own conclusions of the documentary.Big Brotherhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VCb6z__Pk
To begin, there is a clip of a personal talk
between a housemate and ‘Big Brother’
where they are able to express themselves and
chat privately from housemates. There is
also a caption beneath.
There is then footage from the garden of housemates. These
clips are not produced or edited, they are clips of the housemates natural behaviour within the
house.
The cameras a hidden throughout the house,
hidden behind mirrors and placed in corners of rooms.
Cameras can zoom and focus on certain
housemates who are talking for example.
The cameras are hidden to allow housemates to not act different due to being aware constantly they are being filmed. This mean they will be them natural selves. Allowing cameras to
observe their behaviour.
Participatory Mode The filmmaker tends to become the subject of the documentary. Actively engaging with the situation they are documenting asking questions and sharing experiences.Life of Michael Jackson By Bashir (2004)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl0uqobeVDM
The subject of the topic is introduced by a montage
of videos of Michael Jackson. A voiceover of
the filmmaker/presenter is used in the background
also to introduce his documentary.
There is then a one to one talk with the filmmaker and
Michael Jackson, introducing the
documentary type to be participatory. Michael
Jackson is presented to be the subject due to having more focus on him, the
presenter having a side of the screen and back
towards us.
Clips of Bashir with Michael Jackson are shown
in his own home. Here in his personal cinema. This
shows how its participatory as the presenter is getting
involved with the subject instead of simply speaking
about him.
Due to this mode, the presenter is able to
speak to Michael Jackson on more of a
personal level, recording clips of information
which are more personal and emotional.
Reflexive Mode“to aid the audience in their understanding of the process of construction in film so that they could develop a sophisticated and critical attitude.”A Man With a Movie Camera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZciIC4JPw
The documentary shows the construction and production using videos of the director filming and editing. By the audience seeing how a film is produced, allows critical
response as they are able to see ‘behind closed doors’ on
his filming.
You can then see the director using the camera reel and projector before his film screening in the documentary. This gives the audience an insight to how complicated and
thorough filming is.
Here we are shown footage of the filmmaker preparing the film reels ahead of the screening.
Being shown the production of the filming is effective as it allows us
to see the in depth making of the documentary.
Here we are able to see the lens of the camera
in action whilst zooming in and out of a shot. This if effective to watch as we are able to see how the man uses
the camera during making his
documentary.
Performative Mode Acknowledges the emotional and subjective aspects of a documentary and also addresses the audience emotionally.Tongues Untiedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2T0UdNaWlo&playnext=1&list=PL5B1A0AB28ADFDBDA&feature=results_main The documentary
shows a proud lifestyle of a black gay
man. The video clip here used emphasises
the power and strength in these
males standing up for who they are.
Here we are shown an intimate video of a
black gay couple, this is effective as it
reaches out to be open and show the
audience how normal this is and stop
prejudice against gay black men.
This image captures the feeling and emotions with an up close head
shot of the man in focus. Accompanied
with this, is a voiceover of this man speaking
words of encouragement and a
new equal life.
Personal recollections of Riggs's life is expressed
through actors hiding/protecting
themselves from the pain in which is inflicted upon them. This along with the voiceover is effective as it explores emotionally into
the documentary.