All documentaries have similar basic principals and/or qualities:
1. The events depicted in the film are unstaged; the events exist above and beyond the diegesis (the film world) or the act of filming them. The unstaged nature of the events suggest that the events or subjects have an existence independent of the cinema, thus granting them an air of authenticity or "realism".
2. Documentaries are understood to be non-fiction films. The world or diegesis of what appears on screen is considered real, not imaginary (as in fiction films).
3. It is often assumed that the documentary film maker observes, recording events or subject matter objectively. This is, of course, an untrue or uninformed statement.
There are Five different TYPES of documentary:
Sample of previous SOTA creative writing documentaries:
After you have researched your topic a bit, you should decide what KIND of documentary you intend to make. You have various options. Pick one of the five types from above. If you are going to begin interviewing, write a few questions you will ask all of your interviewees. If you are done currently with research, use the rest of the lab time to begin writing a VOICE OVER script. Remember that, just like in fiction, speech writing, or poetry, you want to HOOK our attention.
Use your time in the lab today to begin preparing and planning your film.
HOMEWORK: Please read pages 37-91. There will be a quiz that also covers journalism terms (see post below) and documentaries.
1. The events depicted in the film are unstaged; the events exist above and beyond the diegesis (the film world) or the act of filming them. The unstaged nature of the events suggest that the events or subjects have an existence independent of the cinema, thus granting them an air of authenticity or "realism".
2. Documentaries are understood to be non-fiction films. The world or diegesis of what appears on screen is considered real, not imaginary (as in fiction films).
3. It is often assumed that the documentary film maker observes, recording events or subject matter objectively. This is, of course, an untrue or uninformed statement.
There are Five different TYPES of documentary:
A. Expository documentary: the film maker's commentary acts as the "voice-of-God", often giving information or perspectives external to the filmed world in order to "see the world afresh, even if the world seems romantic (idealized) and/or didactic. Here's an example: the Last Lions (2011)
B. Observational documentary: The film maker records events depicted in the film unobtrusively, without intervention from the film-maker, capturing "real life" without commentary, intertitles, or interviews. The documentary type depicts a "slice of life" or direct representation without comment or subjectivity of the film maker. The film maker is completely invisible and/or uninvolved. the French film: Etre et Avoir about elementary schools in France.
C. Interactive documentary: The filmmaker's perspective and opinion is more evident. Interview styles allow the film maker to participate actively in presenting of events. It is sort of the opposite of the observational documentary. Sometimes the film maker him/herself is present in the film, asking questions or juxtaposing their opinion with others. Unlike expository documentaries, the film maker is present instead of a disembodied voice of authority (god).
Roger & Me (1989) but also Bowling For ColumbineOne of the most famous performative documentaries is Koyaanisqatsi. Here's a clip.
Capitalism a Love Story (2009)
D. Reflexive documentary: Going one step further from interactive documentary, the film maker of reflexive documentary does not attempt to hide the convention of film making. You know you are "watching a film" about "making a film." While documentaries are usually considered realistic, the camera work in a reflexive documentary are much more similar to formalism (the opposite style to realism). Example "Man with a Movie Camera" (1928)
E. Performative documentary: Going beyond the reflexive documentary, the performative documentary seeks to evoke mood or atmosphere traditionally found in fiction films. It can be downright avant garde and formalistic. Its purpose is more metaphorical than literal.
Sample of previous SOTA creative writing documentaries:
- On the Rail by Austen Hammond (10th grader)
- Post Mortem (2011 winner of the High Falls Film Festival Young Filmmaker's Award)
- Kadisha Philips: The Nicki Syndrome (2010) & Teen Point of View: Teens Around the World (2010)
- Another student film (Interactive Documentary style): One Girl At a Time (Kyle Cox--not a SOTA student...)
After you have researched your topic a bit, you should decide what KIND of documentary you intend to make. You have various options. Pick one of the five types from above. If you are going to begin interviewing, write a few questions you will ask all of your interviewees. If you are done currently with research, use the rest of the lab time to begin writing a VOICE OVER script. Remember that, just like in fiction, speech writing, or poetry, you want to HOOK our attention.
Use your time in the lab today to begin preparing and planning your film.
HOMEWORK: Please read pages 37-91. There will be a quiz that also covers journalism terms (see post below) and documentaries.
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