A documentary is a genre of film or television, which gives expressions and interpretations of a particcullar person or event. Just like most genres, documentaries have many genres also. A documentary consists of three main puropses which are as follows:
- To Record, Reveal or Preserve
- To Persuade or Promote
- To Analyse or Interrogate
- To Express Views or Opinions
There are, however, four types of documentary that are not exclusive but give the audience an insight as to how the genre of the documentary is structured.
These four categories are as follows...
- Reflective
- Poetic
- Observational
- Expository
Reflective - This is when the filmaker acknowledges their presence and gives narration and guidance through the documentary. They usually solely present the documentary however other members may be included such as interviewees and guests etc. An example of a documentary comprising this would be, Act Of God (2009). A trailer from this can be can be found by viewing the video below... from this, illustrating this reflective technique can be found by viewing the video below...
Cant see the video? Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgTpXoYTXQE
Poetic - Usually, this type of documentary focuses on more on human interest, rather than current affairs lead. Poetic documentaries are usually portrayed in a very artistic and harmonious way and shows the documentary in a story like way. An example of this type of documentary, would be ITN's "The Tree Man" A clip from this, illustrating this poetic technique can be found by viewing the video below...
Cant see this video? Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DStwXsmZ3OE
Observational - In this type of documentary, it is all about being there as the event unfolds, and it tends to follow the person to document their journey as an evant occurs. The name signifies the type of documentary itself as it all about observing the event from a particcullar point of view. An example of this type of documentary would be Channel 4's "Big Brother". A clip from this can be found by viewing the video below...
Cant see this video? Click the link below: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=3tElw1UQ9Ww&feature=related
Expository - In this type of documentary, the topic or event that the documentary is based on is analysed and exploited by the documentary maker. A noted documentary maker who specialises in expository documentaries is Michael Moore who exposes society to forms or political corruption. An example of his moe famous documentary of his would be the Academy Award Winning, "Fahrenheit 911" (2004). A trailer of this can be found by waching the video bleow...
Cant see this video? Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zf2nCiBJLo
