Documentary mini-task

I would define a documentary as being a film or TV programme that presents real and factual information and events about a particular subject, to help educate people.

Expository documentaries speak directly to the viewer, often in the form of an authoritative commentary employing voiceover or title, proposing a strong argument and point of view. These films are rhetorical, and try to persuade the viewer. (They may use a rich and sonorous male voice.) An example of one of these types of documentaries is 'March of the Penguins' (2005).

Observational documentaries avoid interviews, voiceover narration and a soundtrack, and instead present footage of real life as it unfolds. The effect is a documentary that tends to show, not tell, and invites each viewer to draw his or her own conclusions from the film. It would also be referred to as direct cinema, this form of documentary emerged in the 1960s. There aren't too many pure observational documentaries being made these days. An example of this is 'War Photographer' (2001).

Many documentaries feature 'interactive mode'. Sequences involve those who are being filmed responding to questions they are asked. In these interviews questions asked by the film maker may be left in/edited out. An example of this is 'Last Hijack' (2014).

In a reflexive documentary, the film maker acknowledges their presence in front of the camera and provides a narrative to the documentary. The reflexive style of documentary is usually associated with experimental documentaries, where the viewer is just as interested about how the film is constructed as they are the actual content. For example Nick Broomfield is best known for his reflexive style of documentary making. One of his documentaries in this style is 'Driving Me Crazy'.

The performative mode of a documentary is the direct opposite of the observational mode. In observational documentaries, unobtrusive observation of the subject is the directors aim. A performative documentary emphasizes the filmmakers own involvement with the subject.

I do think that a documentary has a contract with the viewer to present them with the truth and authentic information because they are supposed to present real information to help educate people.