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Types of Documentary.pptx

Types of Documentary.pptx

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11 views

Types of Documentary.pptx

Types of Documentary.pptx

Uploaded by

doanlethu89
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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11th

grade

DMD
Types of Documentary Films
6 Types of Documentary Films:
1. Poetic Mode

2. Expository Mode

3. Participatory Mode

4. Observational Mode

5. Reflexive Mode

6. Performative Mode
Poetic mode

This is when a film relies on images to tell the story and has no narrator or
presenter. The aim of this style is to let the audience find their own viewpoint. Unlike
other types of documentaries, this one is more creative and less subjective. It’s up
to the viewer to decide what they believe is happening and no one is pushing an
opinion. When making this type of documentary, you will still need to heavily
research the subject matter. If you are filming a group of people it might take a while
for them to act naturally and ignore the camera. This style of more likely to take
risks with camera shots and compositions.
Expository Mode:
This is the most popular of the types of documentary films. These films educate and
explain an issue, event or location. Most documentary films fall under this genre, and
it covers wildlife, history and travel shows. In addition, these films tend to feature
interviews, graphics and have a ‘voice of god’ narration. In contrast to the other
types, the subject matter is clear and logical.
To make this type of film, you will need to do a lot of research and planning. Often

the story, script and interviews are all decided before production. However, this
type is the easiest to create and has a simple storyline for an audience to follow.

Although the subject matter can vary, these documentaries have a typical
three-act structure.
Participatory Mode
In this mode, a filmmaker talks with the subjects instead of observing them. You will
see them on screen asking questions and being involved in the action. According to
Bill Nichols, in these types of documentaries, ‘the filmmaker becomes a social
actor’. Although the filmmaker does not influence the subject, they do tell their own
version of the truth.
Often this mode will look at a big theme or subject matter. For example, Bowling

for Columbine (2002) explores the time leading up to the 1999 Columbine High
School Massacre. Filmmaker Michael Moore is seen on the screen directly

interviewing teachers and students.


Observational Mode
Unlike the other documentary modes, this one simply observes the subject. These
films tend to not have music, interviews or narration. The camera is the fly on the
wall, and the audience is free to make their own opinion. Additionally, the edit is more
natural and tends to use long takes and few cuts.
In documentary filmmaking, you need an interesting subject to focus on. These

films are more likely to focus on a person or social issue. It also helps that this is a
unique subject or takes a different viewpoint. Gaining permission from the people

featured will also take time as you need to view their world without influence.
Reflexive Mode
These types of documentary films focus on the relationship between the filmmaker
and the audience. This mode looks at the filmmaker’s life or the people
around them. For example, in The Thin Blue Line (1988), Errol Morris explores the
events of a man wrongfully accused of murder. Because there was no footage of the
event, he chooses to include himself in the film and even acts out scenes of the
crime.
The main difference with this type is that the filmmaker will have personal

involvement in the film. You could also call this type of film behind the scenes. Bill
Nichol’s wrote that these films ‘question the authenticity of the documentary

itself’. Because of this, mockumentaries can sometimes fall under this category.
Performative Mode
Performative films are more stylised and focus on a big theme. The filmmaker makes
the whole movie an entertaining performance. Often the subject is personal to the
presenter, and they are involved in the story. These films tend to be more subjective
and opinionated.
In this mode of documentary filmmaking, they show a larger than life experience

of a world, culture or event. One example of this is Super Size Me (2004), where
Morgan Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald’s fast food for 30 days straight. This

is a performative documentary because Spurlock himself is the main focus, and


he is personally involved in the action.
RESEARCH TASK & PRESENTATION

01 Definition

02 How its work

03 Video example
Documentary Brief
1. You have been asked to conceive, plan, create and edit a 3 - 5
minute documentary
2. The subject of the documentary is up to you.
3. Your documentary must include: A general topic (ex. Education)-
A story (ex. The impact of covid-19 on learning in 2020/2021)- A
perspective (ex. a Grade 11 DMD student studying at JIS)- At least
one interview- Multiple camera angles, A and B roll footage
4. You will submit the following summative assessments:
Pre-production slides (Supporting studies - AO1 and AO2)- .mp4
file of the final film (AO4)- Post-production slides (supporting
studies - AO3 )
Checklist and Format
1. Introduction (topic research)
2. Documentary Style (research)
3. Mind maps (paper and digital)
4. Idea Development (rough story structure)
5. Storyboarding
6. Filming Schedule
7. Location Research
8. Interview Questions
9. Filming: a. Camera Shots/Angles; b. A Roll/B Roll Ideas
10. Editing:
● Preparation
● Pancake Timeline
● Revisions/Changes Made
● Transitions + Sound fx + Color Grading
11. Reflection (What did you learn about this experience? Why is research
important? And How did you deal with unexpected situations?)
12. Resources/Bibliography

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