1. DOCUMENTARIES

2. “The creativity of actuality”
-John Grierson (1926)

3. The aim of a documentary is to report something with evidence.
Documentaries can use narration to anchor meaning.
Have to based on fact and real events
Reconstructions can be used when evidence is lacking but it has to be based on fact

4. Arguments range on how creative documentaries should be as problems of authentication can occur.
Some argue that all films are fake, and attempts are filming “reality” becomes affected by the presentation of cameras and camera crews.

5. FEATURES OF A DOCUMENTARY
OBSERVATION as evidence
INTERVIEW: relied upon for a balanced argument; the interviewer can be seen or unseen. Pictures can be dubbed over top of the interview to convey meaning
MISE-EN-SCENE: very important when reconstructing “reality”
EXPOSITION: what is the point of the documentary?

6. SOME PURPOSES OF DOCUMENTARIES
Shed light on subjects that the audience might not otherwise be aware of…
Cover people who cannot help themselves and are society’s victims

7. Rely on the traditional narrative (start, middle and end)
FORMAT
Rely on the traditional narrative (start, middle and end)
Strong focus on characters and conflict
START: pose a question of opposing views
MIDDLE: complicated examination of the topic/issue showing different sides of the argument and evidence
END: an apparent viewpoint on how the conflict should be resolved
Music and sound effects play an important role

8. Elements of fictions are often included for atheistic appeal
ISSUES
Elements of fictions are often included for atheistic appeal
Timelines can be manipulated
Some aspects can be sensationalized for dramatic/comedic effect
“Evidence” selection can be manipulated by an agenda

9. FLY ON THE WALL: rely entirely on observations as something happens
TYPES
FULLY NARRATED: use of a voice over to make sense of visuals included with the documentary (“The Voice of God”)
FLY ON THE WALL: rely entirely on observations as something happens
MIXED DOCUMENTARY: mix of interviews, observation and narration. Often presented as “news” reporting

10. DOCUSOAPS: this type follows people’s lives
MORE TYPES
SELF-REFLECTIVE: subject acknowledges the camera (some critics think this type is more about the person in front of the camera instead of the topic/subject).
DOCUDRAMA: attempts a re-enactment of events that happened and are a fictional narrative based on “facts”.
DOCUSOAPS: this type follows people’s lives