Documentary Types

What is a Documentary?

A documentary is a visual film that tries to inform its viewer on the current time, in most cases the film is shot at that moment. Often the film uses dialogue as its strongest element, this enticing the viewer and informing them of how the characters are feeling when its not easy to understand through visual effects. 


Expository Documentaries

The main focus of this documentary type is to ensure whats on the camera is the focal point. To ensure this the producer puts a narrators voice over the top of the clip, they then talk about whats happening in each shot and put forward information for the viewer. A prime example of this in 'Planet Earth' a documentary about animals that live on our planet, the narrator for this film is David Attenborough. He has a well known voice that many british citizens recognise, many of his fans/viewers understand that he has a great knowledge of most fauna. 
The documentary visits many different locations, the animals are filmed in there natural habitat so that the film has a natural and non staged feeling. This is one feature of expository, its the most raw and natural documentary type. As David Attenborough talks over the top of the clip this is a main element of expository.

Observational Documentaries

This documentary type takes on features that no others do, this documentary uses little/none narration. There is no key figure that leads the camera to different locations, no actor or director interrogates any of the characters. In most cases it feels that the focal points of the documentary are unaware that they are being filmed, this meaning that there is very little signs of acting and being artificial. A good example of Observational is a film called 'Hoop Dreams' filmed in 1994, the documentary follows two talented black teens through there process of becoming a professional basketball player. The documentary is observational as neither of the characters interact with the camera and none of the shots are staged or re-enacted. As its observational the film is also produced over a 5 year time frame, so all of the clips created are made into a 3 hour film. Following them from there early days on the streets to the NBA, you almost feel as if you're witnessing the entire journey with them. By filming over a 5 year period they ensure that they have got the correct shots, thus putting forward the characters emotions and attitude towards what the documentary is about.



Interactive Documentaries
Takes on a much more basic style and technique of production, in most cases the camera follows a specific person this could be the director or an external actor, through there journey. The actor talks to many of the participants in the film putting across there point of view rather than questioning the other characters in the film for there view. This documentary type uses a small amount of narration, the voice tends to be the character that has been leading the film throughout, often referring themselves to 'I'. The camera work is very basic as most are filmed on a hand held camera, most shots are long takes as you're then able to understand how the main character is feeling. One of the biggest documentaries for this type is the Louis Theroux met Jimmy Saville, where he goes to different environments with Jimmy to see how he acts in different situations. As the main producer of this clip is Louis he takes on the role of questioning Jimmy, in many cases he voices his opinion on Jimmy especially in the scene were Jimmy has fallen and hurt his ankle. Although in some circumstances he does allow Jimmy to voice his opinions, he intends for the viewer to find out more about Jimmy, rather than Louis' opinion on Jimmy.
Reflexive Documentaries
I find that in many circumstances a Reflexive Documentary is very similar to that of an interactive documentary. The major point that sets them apart is the fact that the viewer would watch an interactive documentary to find out about the person thats being interviewed, whereas as Reflexive is much more about the main character putting there view across. Some may say that reflexive isn't as informational but in fact helps to understand the main character, for example to main character may try to conceal there presence so that the feeling of film is much greater. In a documentary called 'Crumb', a not so popular artist named Robert Crumb is followed on his day to day life, in many of the clips him and his family talk straight into the camera making it feel like an autobiography. I feel that this clip is Reflexive as the camera work leads the characters to talk how they do, the director would have also prepped them on what to say before hand so that the clip feels much more fluent. 

Performative Documentaries
I feel that this sort of documentary is the most staged out of all 5, mainly because the director tries to engage the viewer. By using bold shots and heavy lighting the viewer is kept enticed, It also helps to over exaggerate the documentary so that the viewer is seeing something that entertains them rather than listening to people constantly talking. In most cases Performative documentaries try to take the clip away from the real world and try and aim it more towards expressive film. Elements of performative documentary slip into 'Bowling Of Columbine', Michael Moore's attitude to try and entertain for the entirety of the film, shows that he wants to keep the viewer enticed and attracted. There satire views and performance shows that they could quite easily be heavily critised. In some cases some shots may have been shot more than once, this is a problem with Performative as it could take away the actual meaning of the story making the film much less natural. As Michael Moore's main aim is to entertain, he is always aiming for the best shot possible so the viewer is kept intrigued.  
Documentary Film Making Philosophy

Most documentaries are created to inform people on different situations, in many cases the information that is given is constructive and helpful as most of the documentaries are shot in scenarios that the average person wouldn't experience. Although there as some that put forward false information or views as in some cases the documentaries are staged so that the scene that they're in is more immersive and interesting, so I do feel that some documentaries are built for views rather than to inform. I feel that the producer doesn't have to be truthful to the camera as this would sometimes affect view points or peoples perspectives on things. Although as the film has been labelled as a documentary the producer does have to keep to an informative as a definition would state that a documentary is 'using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject'. Thus confirming that it has to be truthful in the presenters views.