Documentary Mini-Task

Documentary Mini-Task

A documentary is a moving image production which usually explores a certain subject in a realistic setting, with a goal to entertain as well as educate. They are made so that a director or producer can make a point about a certain subject, usually one that they are passionate about or that they feel not many people are aware of. They can be shown in one of the following forms: 
  • Expository documentary 
  • Observational documentary
  • Interactive documentary
  • Reflexive documentary 
  • Performative documentary
The key features of an expository documentary include the fact that they speak directly to the viewer, using titles and voiceovers to argue their point of view. They are considered rhetorical due to the lack of open ended questions left after watching, rather just showing their point of view. America's most wanted is an example of this style. 

An observational documentary tend to observe what is going on, allowing the viewer to make their own decisions on what they are seeing rather than arguing a point. Usually using hidden cameras. Examples of this style include Big Brother and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

Interactive documentaries usually allow the filmmaker to becoming a part of the documentary. This usually makes for a more tense and engaging real life experience, usually so the viewer doesn't have to go through what the filmmaker experienced. Bear Grylls and his shows are an example of this style. 

Reflexive documentaries show the process of filmmaking throughout so that the audience can 'develop a sophisticated and critical attitude.' An example of this is A Man With a Movie Camera; the Blair Witch Project, although a fictional documentary, also takes some of it's style from this type of documentary. 

Performative documentaries address the audience emotionally while also showing the emotional side of a documentary. An example of this genre is Biggie and Tupac. 

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