Defining a documentary is proved to be difficult as there are numerous types of documentaries which all have elements of truth however there are scenes which are ‘set up’. What really distinguishes a documentary is the portrayal of actuality, such things as interviews, sounds, images and facts, something the audience can relate to and understand however there is the question if the scene is set up, is it real? It’s important to also realise that a high level of construction takes place in documentaries; almost everything the audience see will be planned and set up. A documentary does not have to analyse the situation or subject, they are very descriptive and leave the deep thinking to the audience so they can make their own decisions.
John Grierson was the creator of documentaries in the 1930s, however then documentaries were made for the cinema and not for the home as there were no televisions. Grierson’s idea was to show everybody a slight glimpse into other people’s lives and certain situations. At the time there was a depression due to the war and documentaries were often made to boost the moral of people to help the lift of depression.
The scheduling of making a documentary is very important as there is a lot of positioning and timing issues. Prime time television is something which documentaries work around, as they know the times in which people will be watching television and which times clash with popular sitcoms and other shows, they are able to pick the best times in which their documentary can be shown. Also in scenes which are set up there is a great deal off effort to try and make the scene as realistic as possible, using such things as mise en scene and props producers are able to get their desired effect.
Documentaries have to be gripping and interesting to the people, they need to relate to everyday life or to show glimpses into others lives and social situations; such as global warming and nature. Some documentaries offer balanced views and opinions to leave it all up to the audience to decide.
There is the question of how creative you can be with documentaries because it may take away the authenticity of the documentary and this is a very important element. But then it is impossible to capture every event in its raw state so some elements are always fake.
TRUTH- "I mean its your truth that you're seeing. Everybody who makes film is putting their own truth on the screen." Dianne Tamme
In British documentaries a common theme is to oppose the views and actions performed by the government, or such things as current affair programs which aren't documentaries, they are very deep in analysis and last no longer than half an hour. Current affairs deal with issues is society such as teenage pregnancy, weight, economy and other issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm2r4XxSohE&list=SL
John Corner said that there are central elements for making documentaries:>
Observation-All the unseen or ignored needs to be in the spotlight, also the way in which the camera becomes the audience's eyes and the camera then becomes a witness.
Interviews- A documentary needs to have interviews, they are a fundamental element of documentaries. Interviews can contrast with the events but not over rule them, often text and pictures are dubbed into the interviews to help understanding and meaning. A interview puts pieces together and fills in important facts, but the interviews are not long winded and one interview maybe shown over the entire documentary.
Dramatisation- The audience feel like an eye witness which brings the audience closer to the subject, everything on screen must appear natural. Forms of reconstructions are always based on facts.
Mise En Scene- All dressing, make up, props and advanced arguments add to the realism of the documentary.
Exposition- The point of view your documentary is backing up or talking about and what the documentary is trying to say to the audience. Narrative may tell the audience facts or show observational sequences.
Documentaries have been known to change the laws and legislations of a country, such as the documentary made by Ken Loach on the homeless.
Dennis O'Rouke once said that all film makers should be rid of the fantasy that the documentary can unprovable representation of reality and truth can be conveniently dispensed and received like valium.
The idea of reality and truth can often be conflicting at times, there is always a attraction of lies. Evidence is always in front of truth.
Documentaries can represent a forever changing or transformed world. The idea of controversy does not go well with documentaries as the network may offend their advertisers and their audience. Documentaries are there to fight for people/views and situations and to make a difference.
Fully Narrated
Direct mode of address to the subject and audience.
Off screen voice overs that makes sense of the visuals on screen.
Fully narrated always lead the audience in a certain direction.
Fly on the wall
This style of documentary is all observational and has no interference with what is on screen. The editing in these documentaries often makes meaning with what is being seen.
Mixed Documentary
This style plays on the narrative, many documentaries take this mixed approach. They contain all/most codes and conventions such as interviews, cut a ways, narrative, voice overs, archive footage and vox pops.
Self Reflecting
Self Reflecting documentaries acknowledge the presence of the camera and have more of a personal response. although these self reflecting documentaries can be confusing as they are more about the maker than the subject.
Docurama
A re-enactment of events as they are supposed to have happened, the stories are based on facts and evidence and there is always a story behind a issue.
Docusoap
For example "Airport" is a docusoap, they follow daily lives of people in a range of jobs and situations in society. Many would dispute that these are actually documentaries. Also they are very low budget.
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