The Five modes of The Five modes of documentarydocumentary

OCR level 3 unit 2 documentary OCR level 3 unit 2 documentary research.research.

Identifying modes of documentary is a way Identifying modes of documentary is a way of categorising different types of of categorising different types of documentary and is similar to genre documentary and is similar to genre categories in feature films. There are categories in feature films. There are overlaps in the different modes and overlaps in the different modes and documentaries will often feature documentaries will often feature conventions from more than one mode.conventions from more than one mode.

ExpositoryExpository Voiceover, addresses the audience directly:Voiceover, addresses the audience directly: The voiceover may be a ‘voice of God’ commentator (heard but not The voiceover may be a ‘voice of God’ commentator (heard but not

seen) or ‘voice of authority’ (seen and heard- usually an expert in seen) or ‘voice of authority’ (seen and heard- usually an expert in the relevant field).the relevant field).

Images are used to illustrate (or sometimes counterpoint) the Images are used to illustrate (or sometimes counterpoint) the voiceover;voiceover;

Editing is used for continuity, to link together images which support Editing is used for continuity, to link together images which support the argument put forward in the voiceover;the argument put forward in the voiceover;

Assembles a variety of footage, interviews, stills, archive material to Assembles a variety of footage, interviews, stills, archive material to support the argument;support the argument;

Attempts to persuade the audience of a particular point of view, Attempts to persuade the audience of a particular point of view, often by appealing to logic and the idea of a common sense often by appealing to logic and the idea of a common sense response.response.

((Soul deep – a history of Black soul music, historical / nature/ Soul deep – a history of Black soul music, historical / nature/ science documentaries etc – traditional form of documentary)science documentaries etc – traditional form of documentary)

Documentary conventions – Documentary conventions – Observational mode.Observational mode.

Location shooting- handheld cameras.Location shooting- handheld cameras. Long takes dominateLong takes dominate Synchronous (direct) sound recordingSynchronous (direct) sound recording No voiceover (in its purest form)No voiceover (in its purest form) No interviewsNo interviews Documentary makers presence is hiddenDocumentary makers presence is hidden Subjects pretend they are not being filmed.Subjects pretend they are not being filmed.

(The Swenka, Etre Avoir, Mitchell & Kenyon)(The Swenka, Etre Avoir, Mitchell & Kenyon)

Participatory (also referred to as Participatory (also referred to as interactive)interactive)

Documentary maker (and crew) interact with subject;Documentary maker (and crew) interact with subject; Interviews dominate but tend to be formal- literally ‘on Interviews dominate but tend to be formal- literally ‘on

the run’ questioning;the run’ questioning; Use of archive material- stills, news; footage, newspaper Use of archive material- stills, news; footage, newspaper

headlines, letters etc;headlines, letters etc; Location shooting- handheld camera;Location shooting- handheld camera; Long takes dominate;Long takes dominate; Synchronous (direct) sound recording;Synchronous (direct) sound recording; Voiceover- usually by the documentary maker;Voiceover- usually by the documentary maker; Documentary maker is visible to the audience- Documentary maker is visible to the audience-

Intervenes and participates in the action.Intervenes and participates in the action. ((Supersize me, Biggie and Tupac, louis therox, Supersize me, Biggie and Tupac, louis therox,

michel moore)michel moore)

Reflexive documentaryReflexive documentary Borrows techniques from fiction film for an Borrows techniques from fiction film for an

emotional, subjective response;emotional, subjective response; Emphasises the expressive nature of film, anti Emphasises the expressive nature of film, anti

realist techniques e.g, re enactments, realist techniques e.g, re enactments, expressive lighting, dramatic music;expressive lighting, dramatic music;

Voiceover (When present) is likely to be Voiceover (When present) is likely to be questioning and uncertain – rather than questioning and uncertain – rather than authoritative;authoritative;

Reliance on suggestion rather than fact;Reliance on suggestion rather than fact;(The Swenka (has elements of reflexive), Cathy (The Swenka (has elements of reflexive), Cathy

come home, come home,

Performative modePerformative mode Documentary maker (and crew) interacts with Documentary maker (and crew) interacts with

subject.subject. Documentary maker comments on the process Documentary maker comments on the process

of making the documentary.of making the documentary. The documentary is often shaped in to the The documentary is often shaped in to the

narrative of an investigation or search- which narrative of an investigation or search- which their may be no satisfactory conclusion to.their may be no satisfactory conclusion to.

Addresses the audience in an emotional and Addresses the audience in an emotional and direct way.direct way.

Subject matter often to do with identity (gender, Subject matter often to do with identity (gender, sexuality)- rather than ‘factual’ subjects.sexuality)- rather than ‘factual’ subjects.