VIDEO PRODUCTION

Documentary Films,
Narrative Videos and
Animations
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Documentary Films and Videos

Documentary film is nonfictional motion picture intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of
instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record.  

Documentaries are typically a mix of entertainment and information dispensing, and very popular.

There are three main types of documentaries:

• Observational mode (or Cinéma vérité) - mainly without any narration moving the process forward
• Participatory mode - such as famous director ‘Michael Moore’ as a character taking part in the events as we watch
• Expository mode - with the narrator chiefly explaining the events as we watch
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Observational mode
Observational documentaries involve emphasizing the documentary filmmaker's engagement in observing the subject's
daily life and circumstances and documenting them with an unobtrusive camera. They avoid using interviews, voice-over
narration and a soundtrack, and instead present footage of real life as it unfolds. The effect is a documentary that tends to show,
not tell, and invites each viewer to draw his or her own conclusions from the film.

EXAMPLE here
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Participatory mode
The participatory documentary is where the filmmaker interacts with his or her social actors and participates in shaping
what happens before the camera. This mode became popular around 1960 when new technology allowed for sync sound
recording. An example of this type of documentary found most prevalent is the use of interviews and asking the subjects
questions. The person filming is talking directly with the subject. The filmmaker interacts with, rather than observes, the
subjects.

EXAMPLE here
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Expository mode
The expository mode is the most familiar of the six types of documentaries. Expository documentaries are heavily researched
and are sometimes referred to as essay films because they aim to educate and explain things — events, issues, ways of life,
worlds and exotic settings we know little about. Typical production elements include interviews, illustrative visuals, some
actuality, perhaps some graphics and photos and a narration track. Scripted narration connects the story elements and often
unpacks a thesis or an argument.

EXAMPLE here
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Live Action / Narrative Videos

Live Action / Narrative Videos are simply for entertainment. Entertainment videos can vary in scope, genre and purpose.
Videos on Netflix, online movies, YouTube video stars, video clips, and more all fall under the scope of entertainment.

Examples of Entertainment Videos:

• Music Videos
• Travel Videos
• Short Films Narratives
• Feature Films
• Television shows
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Music Videos
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes.
Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings.
Most music videos tell a story or deliver a message, to embrace the audience and grab their attention, making them more
interested in the song or album persuading them to buy it.
Music videos are a good way for directors and film makers to express their creativity and passion. Music videos use a wide range
of techniques and styles in order to promote their video such as animation and time-lapse and many more.

There are three types of music videos they are:

• Performance
• Narrative
• Concept based

EXAMPLE here
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Travel Videos
A travel video is supposed to tell a story about a location, showcase the sceneries, the locals, and the food etc.

EXAMPLE here
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Short Films Narratives

It's a bit harder to see the difference between a short film and a long one.
One of the more obvious differences is the length. The short screenplay can be as short as one minute, or as long as forty.
Short films also take many shapes - they can be experimental, animated, documentary, or narrative.

 In a short film, there's no time to develop an elaborate plot structure. In fact some short film makers fear time constraints and
so they avoid using story entirely. They make films based on situation, not story. They show characters in unusual situations
that are resolved through some final “twist."

In the short film, the character's desire has to be made clear very early in the film. The obstacles have to arise almost
immediately. The road to resolution has to be well-plotted and well-paced.

EXAMPLE here
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Feature Films
Feature film screenplays are, as a rule, 120 pages (or two hours) long. (The rule of thumb is that one page equals one minute
of screen time).
The feature film has a three-act structure - a structure that goes beyond "beginning, middle, and end." In the feature film, each
of the three acts hinges on a plot point. A "plot point" is some event that spins the action into another direction, usually
heralding the next act. Feature films also generally have sub-plots or elaborate backstories.
Stories evolve when characters want something, are blocked from having it, and resolve the matter in some way. In a story,
characters grow. They change. The structure of the film is based on this growth.
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Television shows
A television show (often simply TV show) is any content produced for broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, cable, or internet
and typically viewed on a television set, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers.

A television show might also be called a television program, especially if it lacks a narrative structure.

A television series is usually released in episodes that follow a narrative, and are usually divided into seasons - sets of new
episodes. A show with a limited number of episodes may be called a miniseries, serial, or limited series. A one-time show may be
called a "special".
A television film ("made-for-TV movie" or "television movie") is a film that is initially broadcast on television rather than
released in theatres.
VIDEO PRODUCTION

Animations
Animation is a method in which pictures are manipulated to
appear as moving images.

5 types of animation:

• Traditional animation
• 2D Vector-based animation
• 3D computer animation
• Motion graphics