Documentary - The Five Types

What is a documentary?

There are many default assumptions associated with documentaries, and many disputes on what they truly are and what their intentions are. However, the denotation of documentary is “using pictures or interviews with people involved in real life events to provide a factual report on a particular subject.” [1] Nonetheless, everything comes with connotations and stereotypes that can be argued for either way. A documentary, for example, more often than not, is required to manipulate the truth to present what the filmmakers true beliefs are; giving them some sort of agenda. “Documentaries are conventionally understood to be non-fiction films.” [2] What is meant by that quote is that documentaries are primarily based on real life events, and although some manipulation is required as a result of editing, the depiction of the ‘truth’ is what makes a documentary what it really is. The content of a documentary is often portrayed as un-staged and ‘real’ – this does not count for the amount of editing however, just what information is being expressed and displayed.

Expository Documentary

According to Nichols’ definition of an expository documentary, this particular form uses “poetic perspective” which gives out information and facts about the “historical world itself”[3] - even if the views portrayed come across as having an agenda. Broken down, his definition is believed to express that expository documentaries have a “disembodied and authoritative voice-over”[4], which supposedly addresses us, as the audience, directly- offering out information that is parallel to what the images are telling us. Although the images can portray enough information for us to understand the basic construction and context of a documentary, the somewhat overuse of the voice-over in forms such as expository, it can offer us, the audience, extra information and comments on what is going on in the moving image production at one time. This can be seen as somewhat patronizing however, and assumes that the audience are of less education and knowledge than that of the voice-over. “The aim of the expository documentary is to be descriptive and informative.” [5] Expository documentaries don't carry the intent to be condescending or manipulative in any manner, but solely depict information across to the audience via the use of a moving image production, using researched facts and intellect that some audiences may otherwise, not know or understand. 

Observational Documentary

“The emphasis is to present a slice of life, or direct representation of the filmed events.[6]” This particular type of documentary has the intent present 'actual' and 'real' footage and observations of current affairs, which may not always be 100% accurate as they are only observations. This is where direct representations come into play, if a physical copy cannot be made of a situation, the documentarian will do their best to recreate what happened. Observational documentaries ensure that the film-maker himself is utterly invisible, both visually and ideologically. Although it can be argued that through what they edit and choose to show, they’re only adding in certain details, it’s ensured throughout that the filmmaker merely observes what is going on around him/her. Long takes are often used throughout thus enabling a sense of empathy and intimacy with the characters. An example of an Observational documentary is Children Underground 2001- Edet Belberg. This particular documentary carries its authenticity throughout by using no such music or editing effects to add, or even take away from, the realness of the situation. It also carries authenticity by not being in the form of a polemic yet still manages to enforce a political and social statement, whilst capturing objective reality. As a result of nothing being staged, the footage often looks amateurish, shaky and messy- this is also not improved by the mere fact that the camera has to keep up with the action as it happens, and so can often be rushed and all over the place.

Interactive Documentary

In contrast to how the observational form of documentary attempts to hide the filmmaker, the interactive form allows the filmmakers presence to be prominent throughout. Based primarily on interviews, the content of an interactive documentary is more often than not entirely peoples’ opinions and values, in which the documentarian is often inclined to “juxtapose one opinion with a contrary opinion, therefore offering the spectator a balanced view.” [7] Unlike the imbalanced view of just the ‘characters’, an interactive documentary has a cohesive and balanced screen time for both the interviewee and interviewer, ensuring that the audience is shown both sides of the argument if they were to oppose each other.  A good example of an Interactive documentary is any of Louis Theroux’s work. His documentaries are a good insight into what goes on in different parts of the world, and uncovers information that, to the general public, may otherwise be unknown. He often offers his personal opinion and opposing views, usually to the point where it becomes awkward, yet humorous. With this type of documentary there are implications put in place to protect the rights of the individuals within the documentary, and the locations used also. These are often referred to as access and privacy and can affect a production in multiple ways. All persons involved must sign talent release forms before the documentary can be depicted to an audience outside of the production team, and the same goes for locations also. If a location has not been given the OK to use in a public production, then the production can not be made, and furthermore not released. 

Reflexive Documentary

This form of documentary often harnesses many debates on the objectivity of the production. However, this does not affect the impact or significance of the content. Michael Moore is a good example of a reflexive documentarian- he doesn't pretend to be objective or neutral within his productions, yet plays on his involvement within his documentaries. Reflexive documentaries often focus on presenting multiple fragments of the world into a “more rhetorical and argumentative frame than an aesthetic or poetic one.” [8] The voice-over in this form addresses the viewer directly proposing multiple arguments and perspectives, and can “adopt either a ‘voice of God’ commentary… or utilize a voice-of-authority.” [9] 

Performative Documentary

"The performative mode engages the filmmaker to the story but constructs subjective truths that are significant to the filmmaker"[10]. The overall subject presented through a performative documentary remains the same throughout, and does not show any changes or ambiguity. 
However, the meaning behind such subjects have been shown to vary. Such form of documentary is open to criticism however, as it's often questioned whether the filmmakers themselves "lose sight of the events themselves in favour of giving the spectator a thrilling experience."[11] 

Conclusion
I feel that the style and form of documentary that I will use for my 3MW Production is expository. Even though it is criticized for coming across in a condescending manner, this is not only my favourite type to view as a member of audience, but also is the most true form of documentary in the way it depicts information and facts to an audience.
I believe that there is some form of contract between the filmmaker and the viewer- in that the viewer puts a sense of trust towards the filmmaker when depicting supposed facts and information.

Reference List

[1] https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition+of+documentary&oq=defin&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j69i59l2j0l3.1583j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8   [25th Feb 2014]

[2] Teach Yourself Film Studies (Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]

[3] Bill Nichols, Representing Reality, pp. 32-3 [25th Feb 2014]

[4] Teach Yourself Film Studies (Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]

[5] Teach Yourself Film Studies (Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]

[6] Teach Yourself Film Studies (Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]

[7] Teach Yourself Film Studies (Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]

[8] Teach Yourself Film Studies ((Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]

[9] Teach Yourself Film Studies (Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]

[10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documentary_mode#Performative_Mode [25th Feb 2014]

[11] Teach Yourself Film Studies (Buckland, W 2009.) [25th Feb 2014]