Task 4A Documentary

ModesBy Samantha Tenwick

ModesMode Examples Conventions

The Poetic JorisIvens’ Rain (1928), White, Grey(1930).

The poetic mode of documentary is normally subjective. (understanding of its subject(s) The poetic mode traditionally arenarrative content: individual characters and events remain undeveloped this help to creating a particular mood or tone.

The Expository Robert Hughes’ The Shock of the New(1980),John Berger’s Ways Of Seeing(1974).

Initially establishing as an omnipresent, omniscient, and objective voice intoned over footage when speaking directly to viewer, narration holds the weight of explaining and arguing a documentariesto persuade the viewer.

The Observational

Mode

Gilles Groulx and Michel Brault’sLes Racquetteurs (1958), Albert & David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin'sGimmeShelter (1970)

Allows you to know what is going on in the

documentary, helps viewer to interact with it and

relate to the events. No voiceovers, the filming

in its natural form.

The Participatory Vertov’sThe Man with a Movie Camera(1929),Rouch and Morin’s Chronicle of a Summer (1960);

Documentary directors interact with the subject.

Formal interviews are used.

The Reflexive Buñuel's Land Without Bread; Trinh T. Minh-ha’s Surname Viet Given Name Nam(1989)

Shows the expressive anti-realist techniques, for

example dramatic music.

The Performative Alain Resnais’ Night And Fog (1955), Peter Forgacs’ Free Fall (1988)

Interacts with the audience in a emotional and

direct way. Documentary crew cooperate with

the subject. Normally formed into the narrative of

an investigation.