Documentary Filmmaking

What It Is

• Nonfictional motion picture
• Documents aspect of reality
• Record history or maintain historical record

History

• "Documentary" coined by Scottish documentarian "John Grierson"
• Defined it as "life exploited in a new art form"
• Scenes become more real when taken from real life

Types of Documentaries

Expository

• Speak directly to viewer
• Authoritative commentary, voiceovers
• Commentary is objective and omniscient

Observational

• Simply and spontaneously observe life
• Voiceover commentary eschewed
• No intervention from director, just observation

Participatory

• Believe that filmmaking alters events
• Directors get directly involved with people
• Interaction of filmmaker and subject is critical to the film

Reflexive

• Question authenticity of the film
• Self conscious
• Plays around with what is and is not real

Performative

• Stress subjective experience
• Personal, unconventional
• Poetic, experimental