Documentary Definitions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pU-krZsmBw0
The Expository mode: The expository mode is the most common and oldest mode of documentary that we encounter it consist of the use of a narrator known as ‘the voice of god’ in which opposing arguments are narrated during a directed film of actual events and interviews. An example of the use of this form of documentary is seen within majority of wildlife documentaries such as the BBC wilfdlife documentary with Sir David Attenborough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Qy67XU6xEi8
The observational mode: The observational mode is non participation documentary in which films are made from reality with lack of involvement from the director. An example of observational documentary is the tv programme ‘Dont tell the bride’ in which the day to day of the groom and bride are recorded showing the ups and downs of their day to day lives in preparation for the big day mainly for entertainment reasons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CVLkeUN9NL0
The Reflexive mode:The reflexive mode interacts mainly with the audience conveying that it’s clear that there are editing and manipulation in the documentary however this mode still gives the documentary a conveying of the truth.An example of this is Dziga Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera (1929) in which it shows how the film is being made through the camera as there are literal shots of the camera and the camera man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=00ZciIC4JPw
The Performative mode: is the mode in which the filmmaker is participant and the audience are conveyed with the singular one story in their life with emotions and social impact is added. An example of this is the modern performative documentary Supersize me Morgan Spurlock 2004 in which Morgan Spurlock eats nothing but Mc Donald’s recording each singular event that he goes through including medical examinations and emotional downs with the diet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4N5i-0t8m94
Political mode of documentary: The political mode of documentary is the most controversial mode of them all bringing awareness to audiences about certain topics. A recent example of political documentary is 9/11 phone calls a channel 4 documentary that aired all the last phone calls that were sent in the twin towers by the victims. This sent strong emotional attachments to all the victims families but also through to the audience too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M5PrrFb5juI
The participatory mode: The participatory mode of documentary is the opposite of observational mode as the research is hands on and the evidence is through the eyes of the researcher not the individual.An example of this is through many michael Moore films.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xeOaTpYl8mE
Genres;
Docufiction: This is simpularly the combination of documentation and fictional elements in real time.
Docudrama: Docudrama is a documentary that consist of dramatic reenactments of the actual event.We encounter this every day on programmes such as watch dog.
Mockumentary/ Pseudo-documentary: This is the use of a documentary format into expressing a fictional story.
Mondo film:Uses controversial subjects to give the shock factor to the audience.
Ethnofiction:This is the use of fiction with factual but focusing on a primary that narrates an ethnicity or social group.
click here for more information on the genre types of documentary.
