Documentary Flashcards
The Reflexive mode
Not only looks at its subject but also draws attention to its own nature in constructing a filmic representation of the subject.
Affinity with avant-garde film.
Less about the filmmakers relationship with the subject and more about the documentary’s relationship with the subject.
The Interactive Mode
Often considered the ‘purest’ as it does not try to hide the medium.
Filmmakers interact with their subjects.
Contrary views might be presented - viewer left to construct their own truth.
Andrew Jarecki criticized this mode - ‘you can end up being a walking apologist for what’s missing’
The Observational Mode
Seen as the most authentic in dealing with the ‘real’ - presentation of the recordings. Uses long takes so as not to feel interfered with.
No narrator - narrative pieced together from overheard conversation - Cinema Verite.
The Expository Mode
‘Voice of God’ narration to shape message of the documentary.
Narrator given power by the fact that they are not even seen - amplified by a specific style and tone of delivery.
Images are often just to support the voice over - filters, tracking shots, dissolves e.c.t employed.
Views expressed are mediated by the voice over - the form has strict control over spectator responses, often used for propaganda purposes.
Multimodal Responses
Coined by Annette Hill
- Physical
- Sensory
- Emotional
- Self-reflexive
- Psychological
- cognitive
Cognitive
Where viewers are aware that the documentary is a construction rather than a reality , although they will also be aware that there is some degree of reality within certain kinds of documentaries.
Psychological
Spectators understanding of other people’s personalities within a documentary - the way their mind works. Can link with Self-Reflexive.
Self-Reflexive
Style of responses where audiences are aware of their reactions as well.
Emotional
Specific to an event or person - Thomas Austin found that documentaries spoke of an emotional truth within certain documentaries.
Sensory
Responses linked to aesthetics such as a nature documentary that appeals to the visual sense. Can be associated with memories or places.
Physical
A mock-documentary horror film might make you jump.
Spectator
Term most correctly associated with a psychoanalytical approach to film which suggests that in following the narrative, certain subject positions are constructed for the viewer to occupy.
Men might identify with the male hero and women with the female protagonist. It was brought to prominence by feminist film theory in the 1970s which saw the dominant positions offered for the viewer by Classical Hollywood films as being essentially masculine.
Nick Broomfield’s Persona
Typical attire is a leather bomber jacket, a T-Shirt and jeans - encourages perception of Broomfield battling against authority, creates a tougher edge to the character.
Headphones and microphone boom is a reminder to the audience and interviewees that he is a documentary maker not just a presenter.
Asks few questions, has the effect of making the interviewee over compensate and say things they might regret. bumbling persona to soften the questions.
Stella Bruzzi
‘Process of osmosis’ - It is the subjects interaction with the documentary medium that creates the ‘real’. Disputes Maysel’s argument that Cinema Verite is the ‘purest’ form.
