Observational Documentaries

DE F I N I T O NThis is the mode associated with ‘fly-on-the-wall’ type documentaries.They appear to have been filmed in ‘real time’, as if the camera hashappened upon events while those involved are seemingly unaware of the filming going on. The filmmakers correspondingly attempt not tointerfere in what is underway. We do not hear their questions and we donot see them. There is no voiceover telling us what to think or whatconclusions we should draw, leaving the audience to make their ownconclusions

In observational documentaries the camera follows the person as theevents unfold, you watch it as it happens showing the audience exactly what is happening. This passive way of obtaining facts, creates a moreintimate connection between the audience, by them actually witnessing realevents can cause an emotional responsefrom the viewer. The conventions used in observational documentariesare as followed:

• Hand held cameras are used for location shots • No interviews• No voiceover • Diegetic sound incorporated • Long shots dominate

H O W I T ’ S D O N E

An example of an observational documentary is ‘Keeping with theKardashians’. A camera crew follow around the family recording their dayto day lives and the conversations and scenario’s which follow. Theevents are supposedly true putting it in the ‘Reality TV’ category also.Although the scenario’s are true, a lot of it is set up to entertain theaudience as their real lives probably aren’t that interesting. The cameracrew never interfere or come in contact with the family giving the showthe ‘fly-on-the-wall’ style which leaves the audience to create their ownopinions on the characters.

Here is a clip from Keeping up with the Kardashians:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCVlEMcyhJM