Documentary Mini-Task

Documentary mini task:

A documentary is a programme in which using interviews or pictures with people involved in real events provides factual information on a particular subject in which the producer or director is very interested in, it is presented to an audience in which the topic can be based upon dislike’s, interests or affinity.

An expository documentary is a voice over in which can directly address the audience on what is happening in the programme. This type of documentary can provide facts and arguments in the voice over and a series of images are shown to compliment the person doing the voice over. For an expository documentary, I would use the documentary of America’s Most Wanted. This documentary starts with the presenter introducing the topic in which leads to interviews and in which gives factual information.

An observational documentary is a construction and depictions. The film maker is hidden from the audience and this documentary is more focused on what is contained in the documentary such as interviews. It provides a record of event but is non-judgmental to the information provided to the audience. This in which gives the audience the chance to decide what they think about the subject matter. For an example of observational documentary, I would use big brother. This documentary is based upon following people around and capturing what is happening at that time and videos the interviews in which happen at the time.

An interactive documentary is the opposite of an observational documentary. The film maker is present in the production as they are a participant. There is a lot more interaction between the interviewees, audience and the presenter in which gives off a more professional view. Arguments are presented more in this type of documentary and text through editing is more evident. It can sometimes be criticised on manipulation but the filmmakers defend the production due to the project being more important than details.

A reflexive documentary is here the filmmaker attempts to expose conventions of the documentary to the audience. They construct the documentary texts to exposed and experiment with is in which the documentaries text consists of shots that have been captured in everyday life’s but are used as bricks in which can make different experimental films.  For an example of a reflexive documentary is Louis and the Nazis. This is a perfect documentary of a reflexive documentary due to how Louis is always in front of the camera and does the interviews at the same time.

A performative documentary represents the world indirectly. The film maker emphasises on the presentation of the production rather than the content shown. Re-enactments are used for this type of production and camera positions are exaggerated, the soundtracks help to submerge the audience to the diegesis. This type of production aims to present the subject matter in an expressive and visceral way. For an example of a performative documentary is my ghost story. This documentary is based upon the paranormal and peoples experiences with it. This is a perfect example due to how there are re-enactments of some events and interviews with the people effected.