Documentary began when the Lumière brothers began to create films in 1895. The Lumière's created a camera that could hold 50 feet of film stock. Their films were short, unedited clips capturing the life around them. These were called ‘Actualities’.
L'arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat (translated from French into English as The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station)Is an Actuality film by the Lumière brothers that simply captured a train pulling into a station. However, audiences were fascinated by these first moving photographs, as they were able to see the detail of movement captured by a film camera for the first time.
Eadweard Muybridge was another of the first who captured moving image. Below, we can see he wanted to capture a horse to see whether it lifted all 4 legs off the ground when galloping.
See more about the Asthetics of Realism in Documentary here.
DOCUMENTARY GENRE
Docu-fictions - documentaries that are or contain untrue elements. Ethno-fictions - visual anthropologies. Studies of social groups and ethnicity. For example Requiem for Detroit. Docu-dramas - usually dramatised re-enactments of historical events, such as Schindler's list, or The Social Network. | Mockumentry - fictional events presented in a documentary format. Generally light hearted and comedic. Borat and Spinal Tap are good examples. Mondo film - used to shock the audience. Also known as the "shockumentary". Mondo film documentaries are hard hitting, and focus on taboo subjects such as sex, death and drugs. |
The Poetic Mode
A subjective form of documentary that is developed through the interpretation of the film maker. It is often associated with 1920's documentaries such as Olympia by Leni Riefenstahls.
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The Expository Mode (voice of god syndrome)
A Documentary that heavily consists of narration over images. Can be considered as a form of propaganda as you are being told what to think.
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The Observational Mode
A less intrusive manner of documentary film making. The film maker never appears on screen, he or she stand back and capture events. 'Fly on the wall' is a term often used to describe this style of documentary, however it originated back in the 1960s with the technology becoming more advanced.
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The Participatory Mode
The film maker encounters the subject and asks questions. They are often seen on camera taking part. Examples include Michael Moore and Louis Theroux.
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The Reflexive Mode
An deep, intellectual mode of documentary. It is concious of how the viewer will read the documentary and engage with them.
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The Performative Mode
A personal mode of documentary where the film maker is subjective in their presenting of ideas. They have there own opinions and show points from the film maker's constructed and personal vision.
Frozen PlanetGenreDocumentarySynopsis David Attenborough travels to the Arctic to show viewers the icy and unknown worlds inhabited by unusual creatures that may have never been seen before. Modes Expository Attenborough narrates over the images and video to inform the audience what is going on, and tell them what to think. Observational Much
of the documentary is observational as habitats and animals are filmed
and not interacted with. The subjects are not aware of the film maker. Participatory There is a slight use of this mode as Attenborough occasionally steps in front of the camera and addresses the audience. Camera The
shots range from extreme close ups to wide shots, mid shots, etc. When the animals
are shown they are so mostly in close ups. However when entire habitats and landscapes
are shown, wide, long shots are used. Review I really enjoyed the Frozen Planet series, seeing animals I had never seen in this way. I liked the narration by David Attenborough because he has such a memorable household voice. I felt that I could have trust in whatever he was saying. However, occasionally it would've been nice to be left to my own opinions instead of constantly being told what to think by the voice of God. |
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Genre Documentary / Ethno-fictions Synopsis Documentaries which follow various groups of gypsies over a period of time exploring, their culture and traditions. Specifically their weddings. Modes Observational The documentary follows the gypsies in a range of situations from dating to bare knuckle fighting. Participatory The film maker's can be heard asking questions about the culture and what is going on from behind the camera. Expository The voice of God is also used to secure the meaning that the producers want to get across to the audience Camera Informal style to appeal to a wide audience that are probably not interested in traditional forms of documentary. Mostly moving shots and fast paced editing. Review I feel that producers and directors of the documentary think that the culture is a bit of a laugh. Comedic music is played throughout the film to compliment the unusual images we see of pink wedding dresses for example. Everything seems it's there to produce a documentary that is not being objective, but subtly saying that the gypsy culture is a bit of a joke. The documentary could also be seen as reality TV, as it's main purpose is to entertain the audience rather than inform them. |
Biggie and Tupac
GenreDocumentarySynopsis Nick Broomfield explores the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls and the East Coast/West Coast, hip-hop/rap rivalry that culminated in late 1996 and early 1997. Modes Expository Broomfield narrates over the images and video to inform the audience what is going on, put his opinion across while telling them what to think. Participatory Broomfield follows the sources and heavily features within the documentary. He often asks questions that get him the response he wants. However if he doesn't get his required response he may interrupt interviews in order to get the answer he wants. Camera At the beginning of the documentary, a still scope of pure
archive footage and sound is used to make the viewer feel like they were at the
scene of the incident. When filming did take place, to capture the footage they wanted, they never turned both
cameras off at the same time just in case they missed out on a decisive
opportunity. Review I love how Nick knew exactly what he wanted from this documentary. To get what
he wanted he manipulated his primary, and during interviews got
straight to the point, asking them exactly what he wanted to hear. I enjoy just how to the point Broomfield is. I think without his persuasive, manipulative streak we would not be watching a successful documentary. |  |
The Man Who Killed Michael JacksonGenreDocumentarySynopsis Broadcast just
three days after the verdict of the Michael Jackson trial. The trial found Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The documentary explores the relationship between the physician and Jackson, and exposes Jackson’s private world where the controversial use of powerful medication was a way of life. Modes Expository The documentary is narrated by respected journalist Steve Hewlett, who you see at the beginning of the film. Participatory The documentary is preceded by a 15-minute interview in which Dr Murray’s version of events is explored and challenged Hewlett. Performative Fans of Michael Jackson could find the documentary quite emotional. It is obvious for die hard fans that it could be
hard to watch, hearing about his death and how it happened. Observational As the documentary follows the trial of Conrad Murray, walking you through it as you see each stage unfold. Camera The documentary's camera work is very theatrical and has a lot of power. A lot of the shots are static. I feel this fits seeing as the subject is very serious. Review I like how observational and independent the documentary is. It uncovers the fatal friendship
behind the headlines that I previously knew nothing of. I enjoyed how it revealed the chain of events that led to one man
dead and the other fighting for his reputation and
freedom. The camerawork, editing, and music made the documentary exciting. And with all the emotion too, at times it even felt theatrical. |
Rafael Gough
