numaan

Modes of Documentary

THERE ARE 6 MODES OF DOCUMENTARY:

EXPOSITORY

PARTICIPATORY

PERFORMATIVE

OBSERVATIONAL

REFLEXIVE

POETIC
 Expository

This mode aims to educate and explain things like; events,

issues, ways of life, worlds and exotic places we know little
about. This is why they are heavily researched and
sometimes referred to as essay films. Normally include:
Interviews
Illustrative visuals
Some actuality
Perhaps some graphics & photos
Narrator (links events/stories/points and explains/
unfold arguments or theories)
 Participatory

In this mode the filmmaker actively engages with the

subject or the situation. The participatory mode aims for
immediacy and often presents the filmmakers point of
view
Participatory mode has:
Interviews dominant (tend to be formal)
Archival footage
Location shooting (hand held camera)
Direct sound recording
Voiceover (usually the maker of the documentary)
Documentary maker is visual to the audience
 Performative

This is the opposite to observational as the observation is

made by the filmmaker and focuses on the filmmakers own
involvement with the subject. Events and history is recalled
through the personal experience of the director.
This may include:
Documentary make and crew interact with the subjects
Documentary maker makes comments on the process of
making the documentary
Addresses the audience in an emotional and direct way
The documentary is often shaped into the narrative of an
investigation or search
Subject matter often to do with identity (gender, sex)
rather than factual subjects
 Observational

This mode of documentary is the most analysed and tries its best for
cinematic realism, one way it does this is by using actuality footage.
The observational mode is a lot easier to film as cameras have become
smaller and more advanced, they also dont require a crew close to as
big as the past.
This mode includes:
location shooting
Handheld cameras
Long takes are the most popular/dominate
Direct sound recording
No narrator
No interviews
Documentary makers presence is hidden
Subject pretend they arent being filmed
 Reflexive

Reflexive mode makes the audience think and question

the authenticity of a documentary in general. The
audience think about the concept and about what actually
makes up the documentary.
Normally has:
Borrows techniques from fiction film for an emotional,
subjective response;
Emphasises the expressive nature of film, anti realist
techniques
Voiceover (when present) is likely to be questioning and
uncertain rather than authorities
Reliant on suggestion rather than fact
 Poetic

The poetic mode doesnt argue points but instead

creates a mood or impression. Usually emphasizes
cinematic value over content to create visual poetry.
More expressive type of documentary which is shown
through both filming & editing.
This mode includes:
Documentary maker gives subjective view
Structure of the documentary doesnt follow the
common narrative structure
 Types of documentary

EXPOSITORY

PARTICIPATORY

PERFORMATIVE

OBSERVATIONAL

REFLEXIVE

POETIC
 Expository

This type of documentary is full of narration and

aims to educate the audience about things like;
events, issues, ways of life, worlds and exotic places
we know little about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZf9TUDYmME
 Participatory

Participatory documentaries involve the director

actively engaging with the subject and situation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v89Fh-LF26Q
 Performative

This mode of documentary focuses on the

involvement of the director with the subject

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAnCOHCVjyU
 Observational

Uses actuality footage to achieve the best cinematic

realism, uses hand held cameras and no crew is
required
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn24uiAhPpM
 Reflexive

This type of documentary makes the audience

question the authenticity of the documentary and
what makes it up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwh370KR-24
 Poetic

An abstract and surreal documentary with no real

structure or meaning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSSqa9RD3mw