Documentary ‘mini-task’
A documentary is a factual moving image that is designed to inform and educate its viewers in some way. There are many different kinds of documentaries presented in different ways however they are all used in some way to express the truth behind the subject matter. These different documentary modes and formats were identified by Bill Nicholls - a documentary theorist. The characteristics of each documentary format can overlap and are not defined by one title.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documentary_mode
Expository Documentary
This classic form of documentary uses a 'disembodied and authoritative' voice-over to explain to the viewers exactly what is happening in the documentary. They provide factual information and arguments that are complimented with footage and still images. This form of documentary is used to directly represent the subject matter in a short sequence. However in 'Night Mail' by Herbert Smith a series of shots is used to show a simple process but this would have been filmed over time and would most likely not have been for the same process. This can affect how truthful the documentary is. 'Night Mail', overall, is a great example of an expository documentary with Stuart Legg and John Grierson providing strong authoritative narrations.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Mail
Observational Documentary
This basic form of documentary shows us 'a slice of life'. The film makers are not present in the footage - completely 'hidden' from the audience - which allows the viewers to focus on what is happening within the documentary and decide on their own what the documentary portrays.. This interesting format does not contain footage such as interviews and is most often neutral and non-judgmental. In 2010, Janus Metz directed the documentary 'Armadillo' which follows around Danish soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. This is clearly an example of an observational documentary as there are no narrations or interviews throughout and the film maker does not interact at any point.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadillo_(2010_film)
Interactive Documentary
In an interactive documentary you will see the filmmaker in person. They make act as an interviewer and will gather primary information on screen - often arguments - about a certain agenda. This may also target the audience through opinions as well as direct questions. This particular format is often accused of misrepresenting and manipulating the footage to appeal to a certain audience or to represent the factual information in a different way. 'Super Size Me' is a brilliant example of an interactive documentary. The main focus is on the film maker himself as he puts his body to the test, eating McDonalds for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a whole month. For follow director Morgan Spurlock on his battle with food which attempted and succeeded in shining a new light upon obesity and fast food. The documentary includes interviews, factual information and an entertaining and un-biased presenter making it the perfect example for an Interactive documentary.
Reflexive documentary
In this format, the film maker will take a series of shots that portray 'everyday life'. It works as an attempt to expose the codes and conventions of a documentary to the viewers as well as to experiment with the typical documentary style. In 1929 director Dziga Verlov produced the experimental documentary 'Man with a Movie Camera'. This Cinematic documentary follows urban life in soviet Russia but features no actors and displays techniques such as fast and slow motion, freeze frames, multiple exposure and extreme close ups. The creative style makes 'Man with a Movie Camera' a perfect example of a Reflexive documentary.
Performative documentary
A Performative documentary focuses on 'presentation rather than the content' of the documentary. This could be through re-enactments and intriguing soundtracks. Many crime or mystery documentaries take on this form in order to involve the audience and to explain what had happened that led to the investigation. The stylised representation makes the documentary feel more film-like at moments. 'Night and Fog' is a French documentary filmed in 1956. It highlights the lives of those trapped in German concentration camps Auschwitz and Majdanek. The documentary features a soundtrack created by Hanns Eisler and is scripted and narrated making it a prime example of a Performative documentary. The stock footage used in the documentary is graphic but portrays the truth and horror of the camps only ten years after the holocaust.
Conclusion
I feel that a documentary is designed to show factual information and represent the truth. However I do feel that there will always be an element of manipulation. Even the most basic of documentaries portray only what they want you to see. Some may be filmed over a long period of time but they must condense the footage down. They may present the best and most accurate footage but overall any documentary is not 100% true 'everyday footage. I don't think that there is an agreed contract with the viewer to present them with the truth. If I were to watch a documentary I would expect to be presented with factual information and to be educated. Whether the way it is presented to me is manipulated or not as long as what they are telling me is factual then it is to be expected. I feel that an observational documentary portrays more of the truth than the others. It is taken from everyday life and allows the viewer to decide what it is about and what it is representing. Although you could argue that the film maker only allows us to see chosen footage it is un-biased and no arguments or opinions are used to manipulate the audience in any way which is why I feel that this is the most honest and reliable format.
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