Documentaries

Purpose of documentaries
To document i.e. report with evidence something that has actually happened. It can show this by using actuality footage (actual footage from the thing that happened) or reconstructions. Mediated information – fact put across in a particular was. The main purpose of a documentary is to inform the audience.

Types of documentary

Six main types

Fully narrated
Natural history documentaries an off screen voice-over is used to narrate the programme. It makes sense of the visuals and anchors their meaning. The voiceover links everything together to create the narrative.

Fly on the wall
E.g. Katie and peter documentaries. An origin is in cinema verité. The camera is unobtrusive and filming (observing) real life. The most honest type of documentaries, people could amend the way they act – is it really honest?

Mixed
A combination of interview, observation and narration to advance the narrative.

Self reflexive
When the subjects of the documentary acknowledge the presence of the camera and often speak directly to the film maker.

Docudrama / Drama Documentary
Re-enactment or reconstruction of events as they are supposed to have happened.

Docusoap / Documentary / Soap Opera
E.g. Road wars or easy jet. Recent phenomenon. Follows a group of people, follows their daily lives and are like characters that are in each episode. Become household names.