The purpose of a documentary is to document. I.e., to report
with evidence something that has actually happened. It can show us by using
actuality footage or reconstruction. It can us a narrators voice over to anchor
the meaning or rely on the participants themselves with the occasional
interjection by an unseen narrator.
John Corner; University of Liverpool.
There are 5 central elements of documents.
1)
Observation – ignoring the camera (this places
the audience in the role of the eye witness) e.g. one born every minute
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2)
Interviews – TV documentaries rely on interviews
(interviewees are filmed to either the left or right of the frame and look off
centre) e.g. Marilyn Manson interview
3)
Dramatisation – a sense of drama through the
observational element.
4) Mise
en scene – careful composition of shots that the documentary makers want the
audience to see. E.g. Police mans hat in front of him
5)
Exposition – the line of argument in a
documentary, e.g. ‘what is the documentary saying’ develop story and narrative.
Types of documentary;
1)
Fully narrated – the voiceover is used to make
sense of visuals and dominate their meanings. E.g. Natural History
2)
Fly on the wall – unaware of camera. Influenced
by ‘cinema verite’ – offers true or real pictures of the events, as if people
are aware the camera are there they may act differently. E.g. One born every
minute
3)
Mixed – using a combination of interviews,
observations and narration. E.g. Lara croft
4)
Self-reflexive – the participants acknowledge
the presence of the camera and often speak directly to the documentary maker.
E.g. Ross
Kemp on gangs
5)
Docudrama – A re-enactment of events. E.g. Hillsborough
6)
Docusoap – Following the daily lives of
particular individuals. E.g. Airline
Themes;
What is the underline issue being discussed?
Footage or material from another source. Something the
documentary makers did not film themselves. E.g. A music video, footage from the news
Graphics;
This is text that is on screen at any point during the documentary. for example, name and relevance to the topic.
This is text that is on screen at any point during the documentary. for example, name and relevance to the topic.
Theories;
Open vs. closed – Open is
when questions are left unanswered, e.g. lose ends are not tied up by the time
the documentary finishes. Closed is when there
are no loose ends. There is a clear resolution with no questions asked.
Linear vs. Non-linear; Linear
is when a text follows chronological order, e.g. It Follows the Order of time.
However non-linear is the opposite, it does not
follow chronological order. E.g. Flashbacks are shown or flash forwards.
