Genre Analysis, Theories & Concepts

 Theories & concepts of documentaries
    John Grierson came up with the term documentaries in 1926. the purpose of documentaries is to document something that has actually happened. It can be shown by using actual footage or a reconstruction. It can also use a narration voiceover to anchor the meaning or rely on participants themselfes with perhaps an occasional interjection by the narrator. Documentaries are not just about facts, instead can be used to create socially critical arguements. Inviting the audience to draw their own conclusions.

Features of documentaries
    There are 5 central elements of the documentary according to John Corner of the University of Liverpool. These are observation, interview, dramatisation, mise-en-scene and exposition.

Obervation (fly on the wall)
    Most documentaries contain feature sequences of observation and the programme makers pretend the camera is unseen or ignored by the people taking part. The unseen obervation places the audience in the role of eye witnesses to the reality portrayed . The observation sequence then works as witness evidence for the documentary producer's arguement. Techniques  used include: indirect address to the audience i.e. speech overheard not direct at the audience, diegetic sound including music, relitively long takes. problems wiith this style are although giving the impression of being impartial the director can make editing choices which mean that observational documentary is full of bias like any other form of documentary.

Interview
    Televison documentaries rely on interviews which can be used to make a contrast with the observation sequences. Interviewer is either seen or unseen. The speaker is questionned and addresses the interviewer and not the audience. Sometimes pictures are dubbed over the speakers replies in support of what is said. Interviews can be structured in two ways: either allowing the interview to occur uninterrupted or fragments being intercut with observations or other material.

Dramatisation
    All documentaries use a sense of drama through the observation element. The audience is an eye witness to the event. Some documentaries use dramatisation to portray people and events the film maker cannot gain access to in real life. These fictional sequences are said to be based on fact.

Mise-en-scene
    Simply refers to things put into the shot. Documentary makers carefully compose the shots so that they contain the images they want them to see. These are used to advance the argument of the exposition.

Exposition
    Simply means the line of argument in a documentary. Can be made of description combined with commentary. The exposition is what the documentary is 'saying'. The exposition can either be plain and direct or indirect and hidden but always exists. The narrator doesn't tell the audience what to think, but they're shown sequences that make them lead to conclusions. These highly observational documentaries have strong evidence but weak exposition.

Types of documentaries
    There at least 6 types of documentary which include: fully narrated, fly on the wall, mixed, self reflexive and docudrama with a possible addition of docusoaps.

Fully narrated
    Direct address documentaries. Use of the screen voiceover to convey the explanation. The voiceover is used to make sense of the visuals and dominates their meaning. It makes the narrator seem authoritative about the topic. Critics have dubbed this style 'the voice of God' documentary.

Fly on the wall
    Rely almost totally on observation. No commentary or narration. The cameras are left to record subjects without interference and viewers come to their own conclusions.

Mixed
    Use a combination of interview, observation and narration to advance the argument. In contrast to the voice of god style, the narration is often from within the frame. Most common style is news reporting. Journalists speak to the camera and pictures will continue over his or her voice.

Self reflexive
    When the subjects of a documentary acknowledge the presence of the camera and often speak directly to the film maker. This type of documentary makes a point of drawing attention to the film makers rule in constructing a view of reality.

Docudrama
    Re-inactment of an event as they are supposed to have happened. In this style the elements of the argument and exposition are combined with those of fictional narrative. Critics say that they claim to represent the truth but can only hope to ever deliver fiction.

Docusoaps
    Phenomenon of recent years has been the explosion of programmes that follow the daily lives of particular individuals within a designated occupation E.g. Airport or Cruise. Many dispute whether these are really documentaries in any sense. They seek after all, not to explore topics as to eavesdrop on them.

Current affairs
   These ar different from documentaries. They are journalist lead programmes. Aims to address the news and political agenda in greater depth. Emphasis is on the political seeking out atrocity and political scandal. The differences between current affairs and documentaries  centre on the pressure of deadlines and view of the audience. Documentaries may take months to produce whereas current affairs producers must have several stories available each night. Depth in which a topic is explored is determined by the amount of time available to the item. Documentaries last around an hour so have time to go deep into a topic and explore it. Compared to current affairs which only have around 5 minutes to discuss each topic then move onto the next. audience for current affairs is a varied one. Many watch for pleasure as well as information and more than documentaries they are aiming to provide infotainment.

Scripting & structuring the documentary
Narrative conventions
    Does rely heavily on the traditional conventions of a narrative. Should be a definitive beginning, middle and end. Also strong focus on character and conflict. Other conventions used include music, special settings and lighting.

The beginning
    Needs to capture the audiences attention as soon as possible, various ways of doing this: central question of the documentary can be posed at the beginning in an intriguing way, the most dramatic piece of action footage can be placed there or some quick interview with cuts in conflict with each other.

The middle
    Otherwise known as the complications stage, needs to be the most compelling. Often examines the issue in human terms, the focus of people and their opinions. Conflict is strengthened in the middle section. The script may even develop this conflict to provide blockages to the fulfilment of the exposition. However by the end all complications must eventually support the exposition.

The End
    Makes the exposition fully apparent by the resolution stage. By this time the audience has no doubts to what the documentary was saying. There may even be a course of action the audience can take to address the problem.

Conflict
    Conflict can be between people with different beliefs, goals, circumstances or ambitions, it can also be within the individual with the surroundings or between the generation and social classes. Its often shown developing through several stages. This allows the documentary to use the narrative technique of complication and tension. The conflict must be shown in the action. Usually some kind of confrontation is orchestrated for the camera so the audience can see it for themselves.

Sense of movement
    This can add strength to the narrative elements. According to documentary make, Michael Radiger, this can take 3 forms, physical movement e.g. a journey or change of job, movement in time represented e.g. change of season and psychological change e.g. a prisoner adjusting to life in the outside world.

Music & SFX
    Sounds effective in producing an emotional response in the audience.

Lighting
    If your trying to achieve realism and authenticity poor lighting is one of the first things to give the game away. Remember your lighting purely whats on the screen.

Construction of reality
    When watching a documentary you should always ask yourself not just what they are showing but also question what they are not showing and why. You need to think about what bias or spin the programme is sending out/ Construction of reality can be done by what is known as gate keeping. Gate keeping is the selection & projection of info by editors, directors and producers.

Visuals
    What we see on the screen can include archive footage, street scenes, open countryside and close ups of faces. They are just some of the stock materials used to suggest the intended meaning and emotional qualities of particular themes.

Interviews
     Interviews can be held anywhere, but the setting does effect the meaning. Normally begin with the factual questions and then ask emotionally gripping questions as the interview evolves.

Voxpops
    These are street interviews with the general public done anywhere. Each person is asked the same question, the replies are strung together in a fast sequence. This is good for suggesting theres a general agreement/ disagreement.

Narrative structure

Open
    The audience is left to make their own mind up at the end.

Closed
    There is a definite ending and outcome.

Single-strand
    There is only one plain plot throughout.

Multi-strand
    There are many different subplots which interweave.

Linear
    It is in chronological order i.e. beginning, middle and end.

Non-linear
    No chronological order. Time is disrupted in some way e.g. flashbacks.

Circular
    There is a question at the start which is revisited at the end. Can tie in with open narratives.