Documentary Formats

Documentary Formats

EXPOSITORY DOCUMENTARY

An expository documentary is a collection of both still and moving media which is explained by a voice over. The voice over is used to explain the media giving facts, arguments on the text and generally explaining the action in the picture. There is no presenter apparent in the film as the VO is merely used to accompany the film. an example of this would be David Attenborough life series in which there is the use of the shots of wildlife assisted by his VO describing the action in the shots.

OBSERVATIONAL DOCUMENTARY

This style of documentary is an unobtrusive, ‘natural’ feel documentary. There is no VO or Film maker present in the clips of the documentary as they do the filming. This slice of life style documentary simply records events from a bystander angle to show one view point on the event, This allows the audience to make up their mind on what is going on and have their own views. The style documentary may contain interviews or commentary from people the film maker has chosen to film. This style is to show a non-judgemental/ neutral story with the film. An example of this style film is Frederick Wiseman’s 1968 documentary ‘High School’. 

INTERACTIVE DOCUMENTARY

The clue is in the name for this one, an interactive documentary is one where the film maker is one of the main parts who guides the audience in an exploration of the chosen topic. The film maker engages with interviewees and involves the audiences explaining their thoughts. This popular style of documentary making usually involves an argument which the film maker delves to try get to the bottom of, however due to the editing of the text and the questions asked by the film maker people deem it to be manipulated text and bias. A good example of this is the 2003 documentary by Louis Theroux – ‘Louis and the Nazis’ . Another example would be where ex Eastenders star James Alexandrou asks 'cannabis, whats the harm ?' where he actively asks multiple people from users of cannabis to doctors of it for there opinion.

REFLECTIVE DOCUMENTARY

This documentary captures everyday life in clips and then like bricks are stuck together to create a piece which is supposed to reflect the event. These experimental and obscure films depict everyday life but in a covert manner which is equally as engaging as confusing. these documentary arent a window on the world but more look at me im a recreation of the reality, realism. the documented footage is edited to coincide with a VO which comments on the visuals and gives facts giving a more broader spectrum of what is going on. an example of this would be hoop dreams 1994 and even 50 cent get rich or die trying is accompaniedcurtis james jacksons own account TELLING the audience whats happening and his own thoughts and feelings.

PERFORMATIVE DOCUMENTARY

This style of documentary focus’ more on presentation, including music and titles to engage the audience into the diegesis. It may contain re-enactments to explain the event and is used to re-create a story to tell to the audience. The evocative manner of these films really engages the viewer by taking various accounts and using interviews for the audience to engage with and decipher to find what they find within the text. This style of documentary is apparent in the film documentary super-high me staring Doug Benson where the soundtrack engages the viewer and titles and transitions explain the events occurring on screen.