Documentary mini-task
Documentary ‘mini-task’
A documentary is a non-fiction piece of media, intended for the purpose of displaying a series of information or for the documentation of historical records, education and instruction. It should be a factual report on a current/past event which has affected reality in order to bring it to a worthy position.
Expository documentaries could be considered as one of the most accurate ways of shooting a film. These types of documentaries aim to inform/persuade the viewer through narration from outside the frame “voice of god”. This style of filmmaking is extremely forward and direct to get a point across, it's straightforward and perfect for displaying a message in an informative way. March of the Penguins (2005) directed by Luc Jacquet, is a good example of an expository documentary with the film set in the Antarctic as every March since the beginning of time, the penguin’s mission begins to find the perfect mate and start a family.
Observational documentaries are intended to observe the world around them. They bring a new world to the screen, informative but up close and personal. This style of documentaries attempts to cover all sides of an issue by offering viewers a firsthand experience of some of the subject’s most important (often private) moments. Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment (1963) directed by Robert Drew, is an example of an observational documentary with the close look at the issue around Governor George Wallace who won't let two black students into an Alabama school, against the wishes of President Kennedy. The sides of perspective as shouts come from both sides of the issue as JFK stands by his decisions.
Interactive documentaries are commonly shot for investigation/research purposes. They are an eye-opener into the way the world actually is perceived. They often include interactions with people up-close and the camera is often handheld when presenting locations with voice overs to correspond. It's important to gain access to restricted areas and have permission from those involved. This prevents illegal actions being made against the space or public and the possibility to be sued due to the ignored rules of ethical filmmaking. Last Hijack (2014) is an example of an interactive documentary as it shares the true tale of survival in Somalia told from the pirate's perspective. Combining animation with documentary storytelling, the film takes an innovative hybrid approach to explore how one Somali pirate - Mohamed - came to live such a brutal and dangerous existence.
Reflexive Documentaries are focused upon the filmmaker and the audience viewing. They are the ones in front of the camera and giving a narrative of a topic which revolves around them. They are the ones narrating and showing the truth about that specific thing. A good example of a reflex documentary is man with a Movie Camera (1929) directed by Dziga Vertov. This documentary made history with its actor-less presentation of ordinary Soviet life. The film made it's call to highlight the many different aspects of filmmaking, with shots, cuts and angles which become part of the narrative itself. This display of self-awareness is designed to lead the audience to question the process and how it influences their feelings about the film overall.
Performative Documentaries are a combination of different filmmaking styles to create an emotional experience for the viewer. They often connect and juxtapose personal accounts with larger political or historical issues. An example of this is Supersize Me (2004) which was documented by Morgan Spurlock. This documented Morgan's experiences of solely eating McDonald's fast food for 30 days and recording the body issues, health problems faced along the way. He regularly visited the doctors to endure in an attempt to prove that the food sold at the famous chain is unhealthy. 'Spurlock’s declining health calls into question the conglomerate’s motivations and practices'
In conclusion, documentaries are an area of media which if done right, can produce detailed and rich content. The willingness to share or put a piece of you out into the world really reflects the dedication towards your work. Personally, I enjoy interactive documentaries as the content normally covers investigative or research topics. You are able to get a real look at the society we live in and I enjoy the fact that even after the documentary has finished, it will forever play on your mind or alter how you see things. Often they stand out and engage the viewer, drawing them into a darker world compared to maybe another type of documentary style. But every documentary has its own style and that is what makes each one so unique, not one is the same, some may be similar but altered to the filmmaker’s thoughts and feelings.
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