Documentary Notes

Documentary



The purpose of the documentary is to document, that is to report, with evidence, something that has actually happened. It can show this by using actuality footage or reconstruction. It can use a narrators voiceover to anchor the meaning or rely on the paticipants themselves with perhaps the occasional interjection by the narrator.



"Actuality footage" - Real footage of actual events.



John Grierson - He ran a team called the "General Post Office Film Unit" in the 1930s. He defined documentaries as the "creative treatment of actuality" (or reality).



Features of Documentaries



John Corner - From the university of Liverpool. He said there are 5 elements of the documentary: Observation, Interview, Dramatisation, Mise-en-scene and Exposition.



Observation - The programme makers pretend that the camera is unseen or ignored by the people taking part in the events. The audience is positioned as an eye witness observing the documentary unfold.



Interview - The most important aspect, people give opinions, information in the interview. They are relied on by the documentary.



Dramatisation - All documentaries use a sense of drama through observations. Editing conveys this drama. Reconstruction is used dramatically .



Mise-en-scene (Put in the picture) - Everything you see and hear. Documentary makers carefully construct shots.



Exposition - This is the line of argument in a documentary. (The exposition of the narrative is the way the narrative unfolds). In terms of documentaries it is what the documentary is "saying".





Different types of documentary



Fully Narrated - A voiceover is used to convey the exposition (e.g. natural history docs). The voiceover is used to make sense of the visuals and therefore dominates their meaning.



Fly on the Wall - It draws on the french film movement of cinema verite. The camera is unseen or ignored. Simply records real events as they unfold.



Mixed - Combination pf interview, observations, actuality, archive footage/material and narration used to advance the argument/narrative.



Self-reflective - When the subject of the documentary acknowledges the presence of the camera and often speaks directly to the programme maker.



Docudrama - (Dramadocumentary) It's a re-enactment of events.



Docusoap - (Documentary soap operas) revolves around a group of central protangonists (e.g. Airport, The Cruise, Driving School)

Structure of Documentaries

Open Narrative Structure - (e.g. fox hunting documentary) Questions are left unanswered, which leaves loose ends at the end of a programme/documentary.

Closed Narrative Structure - (e.g trial documentaries) There is a definate and final conclusion to tie all the strings and therefore conclude the narrative.

Linear - Follows chronilogical order.

Non-Linear - Things are not in time order (Flashbacks and Flashforwards)

Circular - Starts and finishes the same

Visuals

Television is a visual medium. A program needs to be visually stimulating as it has to maintain the interest of the audience. It also has to entertain.

Archive Material - Street scenes, open countryside, close up of faces are all examples of stock footage.

Interviews - An interview can be held anywhere but the setting (mise-en-scene) does affect its meaning.

VOXPOP - (Vox populis) Means the voice of the people. Set up a camera in the street, ask the same questions to different and random people. This will give a representation of the target audience.

Construction of Reality

Gatekeeping - The selection and rejection of informatioon/content for inclusion in a media text

Editing Process - Be creative, chop up an interview - construct a reality of someone - This is where gatekeeping comes in.

Voiceover - Can alter and effect meanings or anchor the visuals

Propaganda - Advertisement, deliberatly want to influence peoples decisions.