What is a documentary?

The purpose of a documentary is to document i.e. report with evidence something that has actually happened. It can show this by using actuality footage or reconstruction. It can use a narrators voiceover to anchor the meaning or rely on the participants themselves with the occasional interjection by an unseen narrator.

Features of a documentary

John corner, university of Liverpool – 5 central elements to a documentary

• Observation – camera observes what is going on, places audience in role of an eye witness.

•Interview – TV documentaries rely on interviews

•Dramatisation – A sense of drama throughout the observational element.

•Mise en scene – careful composition of shots, the documentary wants the audience to see.

•Exposition – the line of argument in a documentary, constructing a story.

Types of documentary

Fully narrated – The voiceover is used to make sense of the visuals, and dominates their meaning e.g. Natural history

Fly on the wall – offers a ‘true or real’ picture of events

Mixed – using a combination of interview, observation and narration.

Self- reflective – participants acknowledge the presence of the camera and often speak directly to the documentary maker.

Docudrama – a re-enactment of events; actors illustrate history.

Docu- soaps – following the daily lives of particular individuals.

Linear follows chronological order ( order of time)

Non linear does not follow chronological order it uses flash back and flash forward.

Single strand v multi strand

Single strand is one narrative and muliti strand is more than one narrative thread. These of ten converge throughout the narrative e.g. The corrie storylines converge.

Linear/ non- linear