Monday 11 July 2011
Genre Analysis - Theories and Concepts
John Grierson came up with the term documentary in 1926. The purpose of documentaries is to document something that has actually happened. It can be shown using literal footage or a reconstruction. It can use a narrators voice over to anchor the meaning or rely on the participants themselves with perhaps an occasional interjection by the narrator.
Documentaries are not just about facts instead facts can be used to create socially critical arguments inviting the audience to draw their own conclusions.
Features of Documentaries
There are 5 central elements of the documentary according to John Carner from the University of Liverpool. These are:
Observation (Fly On The Wall) - putting the audience in a role of eyewitness where the camera appears to be unseen. Indirect address to the audiences i.e. speech overheard is a common factor of this en-scene observation.
Interview - Television documentaries use interviews to make a contrast between observation sequences and are structured in 2 ways: either intercut fragments of observation or a completely uninterrupted sequence.
Dramatisation - Even though all documentaries use a sense of drama, it is specifically used to portray people and events the film maker cannot gain access to in real life. These sequences are said to be based on fact.
Mise-en-scene - Literally what the directors and producers put into the frame, so for example lighting and props in interviews.
Exposition - Simply means the line of argument in a documentary which is what the doc' is 'saying'. Sequences that lead the audience to make their own conclusions.
Types of Documentaries
There are at least 6 types which include: fully narrated, fly on the wall, mixed, sled reflexive and docu-drama, with the possible addition of docu-soaps.
Fully Narrated - Direct address documentaries use of the screen voiceover to convey the exposition. The narrator seems authoritative about the topic allowing them to make sense of visuals. A.k.a 'Voice of God'
Fly on the Wall - Rely almost totally on observation, as the cameras are left to record without interference and viewers come to their own conclusions.
Mixed - Uses a combination of interview, observation and narration to advance the argument. Narrator is within the frame and this style is most common in news reporting.
Self Reflexive - The subjects of a documentary acknowledge the presence of the camera and speaks directly to the film maker. Makes a point of drawing attention the film maker to create a view of reality.
Docu-Drama - A reenactment of events as they are supposed to of happened. Fictional narrative is combined with elements of the exposition, however critics claim that docu-dramas will only ever deliver fiction.
Docu-Soaps - A phenomenon of recent years which follow the daily lives of particular people. E.g. 'Airport'. Many dispute whether these are real documentaries in any sense.
Current Affairs
These are different from documentaries. Journalist based programmes that aim to address news in more depth. Differences include the pressure of deadlines, i.e. documentaries may take several months to create, therefore allowing them to be a lot more in depth, where as Current Affairs must have new stories daily, so each story will only be examined in 5-10 minute slots. Audience is a varied one for current affairs, i.e many watch for pleasure as well as information.
Supporting and Structuring a Documentary
Narrative Conventions
Documentaries rely heavily on traditional conventions of a narrative. There should be a structure accompanied with a variety of other conventions.
The Beginning
Needs to capture the audiences attention. Central question of the doc can be posed at the beginning in an intriguing way. Quick interviews capturing conflict with different people is an example.
The Middle
Otherwise known as the complication stage and needs to be the most compelling and often examines the issue in human terms i.e. the focus on people and their opinions. Conflict is strengthened to provide blockages for the fulfillment of the exposition.
The End
Makes the exposition fully apparent by the resolution stage. The audience by this time has no doubts what the argument is saying.
Conflict
Can be between people with different beliefs, goals, circumstances or ambitions. Or it can be individual or a variety of others. Shown developing through different stages, which allows the documentary to use narrative technique.
Sense of Movement
Can add strength to the narrative elements. The 3 forms are physical movement, movement in time or psychological change.
Music and SFX
Sound effective in producing an emotional response in the audience.
Lighting
If you are trying realism or authenticity poor lighting is one of the first things to give the game away.
Construction of Reality
When watch a documentary you should always ask yourself not just what they are showing but also question what they are not showing. This could be due to bias or preference along with the selection and rejection of information.
Visuals
What we see in the screen included with Archive footage. Stock materials are used to support the intended meaning.
Narrative Structure
Open - The audiences 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 main plot through out
Multistrand - There are many subplots which interweave
Linear - It is in chronological order. Time is disrupted in the same way e.g. via flashbacks
Circular - There is a question at the start which is revisited at the end. Circular narratives can tie in with open narratives
Documentaries are not just about facts instead facts can be used to create socially critical arguments inviting the audience to draw their own conclusions.
Features of Documentaries
There are 5 central elements of the documentary according to John Carner from the University of Liverpool. These are:
Observation (Fly On The Wall) - putting the audience in a role of eyewitness where the camera appears to be unseen. Indirect address to the audiences i.e. speech overheard is a common factor of this en-scene observation.
Interview - Television documentaries use interviews to make a contrast between observation sequences and are structured in 2 ways: either intercut fragments of observation or a completely uninterrupted sequence.
Dramatisation - Even though all documentaries use a sense of drama, it is specifically used to portray people and events the film maker cannot gain access to in real life. These sequences are said to be based on fact.
Mise-en-scene - Literally what the directors and producers put into the frame, so for example lighting and props in interviews.
Exposition - Simply means the line of argument in a documentary which is what the doc' is 'saying'. Sequences that lead the audience to make their own conclusions.
Types of Documentaries
There are at least 6 types which include: fully narrated, fly on the wall, mixed, sled reflexive and docu-drama, with the possible addition of docu-soaps.
Fully Narrated - Direct address documentaries use of the screen voiceover to convey the exposition. The narrator seems authoritative about the topic allowing them to make sense of visuals. A.k.a 'Voice of God'
Fly on the Wall - Rely almost totally on observation, as the cameras are left to record without interference and viewers come to their own conclusions.
Mixed - Uses a combination of interview, observation and narration to advance the argument. Narrator is within the frame and this style is most common in news reporting.
Self Reflexive - The subjects of a documentary acknowledge the presence of the camera and speaks directly to the film maker. Makes a point of drawing attention the film maker to create a view of reality.
Docu-Drama - A reenactment of events as they are supposed to of happened. Fictional narrative is combined with elements of the exposition, however critics claim that docu-dramas will only ever deliver fiction.
Docu-Soaps - A phenomenon of recent years which follow the daily lives of particular people. E.g. 'Airport'. Many dispute whether these are real documentaries in any sense.
Current Affairs
These are different from documentaries. Journalist based programmes that aim to address news in more depth. Differences include the pressure of deadlines, i.e. documentaries may take several months to create, therefore allowing them to be a lot more in depth, where as Current Affairs must have new stories daily, so each story will only be examined in 5-10 minute slots. Audience is a varied one for current affairs, i.e many watch for pleasure as well as information.
Supporting and Structuring a Documentary
Narrative Conventions
Documentaries rely heavily on traditional conventions of a narrative. There should be a structure accompanied with a variety of other conventions.
The Beginning
Needs to capture the audiences attention. Central question of the doc can be posed at the beginning in an intriguing way. Quick interviews capturing conflict with different people is an example.
The Middle
Otherwise known as the complication stage and needs to be the most compelling and often examines the issue in human terms i.e. the focus on people and their opinions. Conflict is strengthened to provide blockages for the fulfillment of the exposition.
The End
Makes the exposition fully apparent by the resolution stage. The audience by this time has no doubts what the argument is saying.
Conflict
Can be between people with different beliefs, goals, circumstances or ambitions. Or it can be individual or a variety of others. Shown developing through different stages, which allows the documentary to use narrative technique.
Sense of Movement
Can add strength to the narrative elements. The 3 forms are physical movement, movement in time or psychological change.
Music and SFX
Sound effective in producing an emotional response in the audience.
Lighting
If you are trying realism or authenticity poor lighting is one of the first things to give the game away.
Construction of Reality
When watch a documentary you should always ask yourself not just what they are showing but also question what they are not showing. This could be due to bias or preference along with the selection and rejection of information.
Visuals
What we see in the screen included with Archive footage. Stock materials are used to support the intended meaning.
Narrative Structure
Open - The audiences 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 main plot through out
Multistrand - There are many subplots which interweave
Linear - It is in chronological order. Time is disrupted in the same way e.g. via flashbacks
Circular - There is a question at the start which is revisited at the end. Circular narratives can tie in with open narratives
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