Expository documentaries are said by most to be the most familiar documentary out of all documentaries. Expository observational participatory dramatic some documentaries are hybrids of the above, or include features of different types most of the films well view in this study group are. Bill nichols in introduction to documentary notes six types of modes of documentary expository, poetic, observational, participatory, performative, reflexive nichols 2001 looked at history of documentary and identified 6 distinct modes from expository to performative see below. Films that try to persuade us of the importance of issues like injustice are called expository documentaries. Brief introduction to documentaries there are four generallyaccepted typesformats of documentary films. In social studies, for example, this project aligns with at least three of our state standards for grades 912.
There are 6 different suggested modes of documentary. Documentaries on injustice include paradise lost and murder on a sunday morning, an academy awardwinning film about a 15yearold boy who was sent to trial for a murder he didnt commit. Sure, this premise similarly mirrors the concepts of several other documentaries on this list, but chefs table. When it comes to documentaries in particular, there are a few more things to be kept in. Takes readers along the diverse paths of documentary history and charts the lively, often fierce debates among filmmakers and scholars about the best ways to. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.
Types of documentaries expository, observational, participatory, poetic, reflexive and performative 2. Cooked a netflix documentary worksheets for all four episodes water, air, fire, earth. Based on or recreating an actual event, era, life story, that purports to be factually accurate. The six primary types of documentaries the expository mode. Documentary films history and vocabulary vocabulary. Documentary has been described as a filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception that is continually evolving and is without clear boundaries. Tend to be lyrical rather than didactic, poetic rather than argumentative. Tries to demonstrate to the spectator how film images are constructed. Poetic reflexive and performative iconistic and narrative films of fiction defines genre, but documentaries are categorized by the way they were shot. These documentaries are powerful, shocking, heartbreaking, and intense, and each will expand the horizons of the viewers open to learning more about the world. Also, read up on what film scholars and movie critics have to say about how these films are constructed.
A very short introduction patricia aufderheide very short introductions. Documentaries are classified according to the techniques used in filming. These kinds of documentaries can contain graphics, illustrations and charts to add to its content. Though this short summary gives the impression of a linear chronology and of an implicit evolution toward greater complexity and selfawareness. Web documentary, utilizing interactive and nonlinear webbased story telling. Documentary california state university, northridge. A dvd documentary is a documentary film of indeterminate length that has been produced with the sole intent of releasing it for direct sale to the public on dvds, as different from a documentary being made and released first on television or on a cinema screen a. Still one of many routes that aspiring directors take en route to their first feature film, documentary filmmaking is now. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. A documentary is a movie, television or radio program that provides a factual record or report. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the media and what it means. Traditional documentaries with interviews as above but with the addition of interviews to document the topic. Our categories are roughly derived from the categories of documentary theorist bill nichols see, e.
How 3 types of the documentary genre are made videomaker. Ive watched two documentaries recently,one is hearts of darkness. Characteristics and deficiencies the reflexive questions documentary form, defamiliarize the other modes too abstract, loses sight of actual issues the poetic reassembles fragments of the world poetically lack of specificity, too abstract the performative stresses subjective aspects. The best documentaries illuminate the human experience. Netflixs new documentary series gives viewers an insiders look behind the kitchen doors of some of the worlds top chefs. If time allows, or with older students, continue the discussion by exploring what types of people appeared e. A filmmakers apocalypse,which is considered to be one of the best makingof documentaries in any dvdsblurays. It also opens into the history of documentaries while referencing bill nichols classic text introduction to documentary, where he outlines the six modes or subgenres or types of documentaries. Documentaries about other interesting people include the 2009 academy awardwinning film man on wire about french tightrope walker philippe petit and his incredibly dangerous highwire walk far above the streets of new york, and werner herzogs documentary grizzly man about a man who.
Documentary research involves the use of texts and documents as source materials. Theses kinds of documentaries are detailed and are knowledge based followed along by research to inform and educate its viewers. Nov 18, 2011 a short documentary about documentaries by calum henderson. While nichols discussion of modes does progress chronologically with the order of their appearance in practice, documentary film often returns to themes and devices from previous modes. Often make liberal use of interviews, broll, and archival footage. Videomaker is always looking for talented, qualified writers.
Study documentaries of all styles and genres to inspire your own work as nonfiction storyteller. A documentary film is a nonfictional, motion picture intended to document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record. Typically address the spectators directly through an onscreen. Students understand the nature and scope of history. How to write a documentary script page 6 of 52 film emphasizes and emotionalizes. The study of the documentary genre is a complex area and it is often difficult to define a middle ground that is free of criticism. Trailer for 20,000 days on earth, a film in which musician nick cave talks about his life and work. In this regard, bill nicholass classic book, titled as introduction to documentary can be mentioned. Documentaries are based on the attempt, in one fashion or another, to document reality. Types of documentaries poetic poetic documentary is a transformation of historical material into a more abstract, lyrical form the poetic mode moved away from continuity editing and instead organized images of the material world by means of associations and patterns, both in terms of time and space. Films allow us to do this through authentic stories, often across difference. For example, a montage containing a negative theme followed by a positive theme may give the viewer the idea that the positive theme is the main theme of the montage.
We are in the process of providing useful genre information for the films on docuseek2. Since most of the titles on docuseek2 are documentaries, our genre listing digs deeper into the documentary field to provide a sense as to what kind of documentary the film is. Modes of documentary bill nichols bill nichols in introduction to documentary notes six types of modes of documentary expository, poetic, observational, participatory, performative, reflexive nichols 2001 looked at history of documentary and identified 6 distinct modes from expository to performative see below. Overall, making documentaries is the complex process of creating documentary projects that refers to what people do with media devices, content, form, and production strategies in order to address the creative, ethical, and conceptual problems and choices that arise as they make documentaries. Trailer for werner herzogs truecrime documentary into the abyss. Typically more selfconsciously stylized and aestheticized than expository films. What interests me about these two films are the intimacy the camera brought me,the intimacy between me and the characters,the intimacy between me and the truth. Each episode is about an hour in length or about 1 class period and each worksheet is. First seen in the 1920s, poetic documentaries are very much what they sound like. He identifies six genres or types of documentaries. Photojournalism can also be considered a form of documentary.
Documentaries are based on the attempt, in one fashion or another, to document reality documentaries come in several forms. While theres a lot of variation within, these are the six main categories of the genre in which all documentary films can be cast. Its origin is linked to the emergence of artistic avantgardes in cinema. A documentary is a movie that attempts to portray reality or part of reality, facts, and anything nonfiction. Typically address the spectators directly through an onscreen commentator or. Based on or recreating an actual event, era, life story, that purports to be factually accurate and contains no fictional elements.
In 2010s introduction to documentary, film educator and documentary consultant bill nichols distilled the types of documentaries down to six styles. Types and styles of documentaries documentary modes. As well as attempting to define a historical context and possible. They can make the audience think and send powerful messages across to them. We explore the different types and share characteristics and examples of. Films can evoke diff erent kinds of reactions in the audience, from grief to anger. It uses only voiceover narration and a combination of archival media and created media still images and video. Makes the whole process of filmmaking known to the spectator. A different positioning of shots conveys different ideas to the viewer. The voiceover addresses the spectator directly, offering.
Traditional documentary covers a person or event from the past. Pdf on jan 1, 2008, juan francisco salazar and others published the. Learn about 3 of the more commonly known types of the documentary genre. Moving from long to close shots is a tradeoff between showing informative visuals or intimate emotions. A short documentary about documentaries by calum henderson. You cant have more of one without giving up an equal amount. Visit,easily the best visual extensions of the greatest band ever. Takes readers along the diverse paths of documentary history and charts the lively, often fierce debates among filmmakers and scholars about the best ways to represent reality and to tell the truths worth telling. The 30 best food documentaries that you can watch right. It aims to create a specific mood and tone rather than to provide the viewer with information. South africas documentary film industry and to assess how the nations shifting. Mar 09, 2014 since most of the titles on docuseek2 are documentaries, our genre listing digs deeper into the documentary field to provide a sense as to what kind of documentary the film is.
Starring calum henderson, camerawork by luke reid and nathan rowan. Overall, making documentaries is the complex process of creating documentary projects that refers to what people do with media devices, content, form, and production strategies in order to address the creative, ethical, and conceptual problems and choices that. Introducing documentaries vocabulary dialogue conversations that take place between subjects in a film or subjects and the filmmaker factual attempting to relay information that is accurate about something real or actual. The documentary genre of film is a woven part of cinematic history. Films can bring audiences inside stories and communities that they might not otherwise be familiar with, provoke dialogue and inspire people to take action. Students use social studies stories worth telling 5 a guide to creating studentled documentaries. Montages in documentaries are usually linked with words that characters say. The wikipedia defines documentary as a non fictional motion picture with the purpose of documenting some aspects of reality, intended to maintain a historical record. Nov 14, 2016 3 most common types of documentaries today by kevin knoblock duration. A practice of filmmaking that deals with actual and factual and usually contemporary issues, institutions, and people. Modes of documentary bill nichols bill nichols in introduction to documentary notes six types of modes of documentary expository, poetic, observational, participatory, performative, reflexive. The rule of thirds is a technique of dividing the frame up into a 3x3 grid, splitting.
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