Documentary

Styles

There are generally five broad categories or styles of documentary.

Fully Narrated:
Here the off screen narrator is used. His commentary is called the voice
over. This narration or voice over directly addresses the audience and informs
them what the story is about. The voice over directs the audience in the way
they interpret the images and therefore dominates the meaning. This style of
documentary is often called the voice of God. David Attenboroughs nature
documentaries would be a good example of this style.
Write down some of the features/ elements of this type of documentary.
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What does this documentary tell us about the world?

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Cinema Verite
Cinema Verite is a style of documentary that
almost totally relies on observation. The story is
not told via a narrator but the action happens as if
the cameraman was not there. This is called a fly
on the wall documentary. The story is told through
the action on the screen and edited in a manner that
provides a logical sequence. This style of
documentary was developed to try and limit the
filmmakers personal bias. Although not a true
documentary, Big Brother uses this observational
technique.

Do you think a show like Big Brother shows life as it really is?
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Give a reason for your answer
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Self Reflective
Self Reflective documentaries acknowledge the
presence of the camera/ cameraperson. The main
talent/ actor/ presenter, often speak directly to the
camera. This gives the audience the impression that
they are directly being spoken to by the presenter.
This emphasises the intimacy that the presenter has
towards their audience and acknowledges the
filmmakers role in the communication process.
Many films use this technique but a good example
of this is Ewan McGregor & Charlie Boorman
Long Way Round.
Can you think of other documentaries that use this
style/technique for the majority of the time?
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From an audience perspective do you think that this style of documentary views the
world and shows it as it really is? _______________________________________
Why or Why not?
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What is your own response to this style of film?

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Docudrama
Docudrama is a style of documentary that
uses re-enactments of events based upon
reconstructed facts. They are supposed to
be as they have actually happened. In this
style, the story is combined with a fictional
narrative that is based on fact. There is a
considerable amount of debate about
whether or not this style of documentary
really does give an accurate portrayal of
life as it really was/ is A good example of
this style of documentary is Walking With
Dinosaurs.
Discuss some of the significant documentary elements that are used by the filmmaker
to make this film.
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Why would there be issues with thinking that this kind of documentary did not show
life as it really was/is?
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Mixed Documentary
The Mixed Documentary is the most popular and well-recognised form of
documentary. It uses a combination of different styles and techniques including:
observation fly on the wall, narration (voice of God), re-enactments etc. Films such
as Bowling For Columbine or Dog Town and the Z Boys best represent this style of
documentary.

Is there evidence of bias in the first few minutes of Bowling For Columbine?
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