Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Different Types of Documentary

FULLY NARRATED DOCUMENTARY

An off screen voice over is used to make sense of the visuals and dominate their meaning. The narrator always seems authoritive: 'The Voice of God' anchors the meaning of what we are seeing e.g. Natural history documentaries.


MIXED DOCUMENTARY

Uses a combination of interview, observations and narration to advance the topic or argument.


TRUE CINEMA (CINEMA VEINTE) FLY ON THE WALL DOCUMENTARY

The camera is 'unseen' or ignored and simply records real events as they happen. There is often no narration leaving the audience to reach their own conclusions. This is NOT an accurate picture of reality, because from the minute you start editing it becomes unreal. People would also modify their behavior if the camera was seen but the camera can be hidden.

SELF-REFLECTIVE DOCUMENTARY

When the subject of the documentary acknowledges the presence of the camera and often speaks directly to the documentary maker.

DOCUSOAP

A relatively new type of documentary which follows the lives of individuals usually with designated occupations e.g. Arline

DOCUDRAMA

A re-enactment of events as though they actually happened e.g. Crimewatch

DOCUSOAP BUT SCRIPTED

e.g. The Hills, The Only Way Is Essex, Made In Chelsea. These 'documentaries' blur the boundaries between what is real and what isn't because the audience do not know whether what they see is real.

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