Documentary Film Flashcards
Who identified the documentary modes and criticised documentary?
Bill Nichols
Who was the cinematographer for Stories We Tell?
Iris Ng
Who was the editor for Stories We Tell?
Michael Munn
A quote from Sarah Polley?
‘the truth… is often ephemeral and difficult to pin down’
A quote from Nick Broomfield?
‘it’s more honest to make your presence felt’
A quote from Claire Louise (for TechTranica) on digital technologies?
[digital technologies can] ‘diminish the authenticity and craftmanship of practical filmmaking’
What are the conventions of documentary?
Voiceover narration
Talking head interviews
Handheld camera
Montage editing
Actuality footage
Reconstructions
Titles and captions
What are the documentary modes
Poetic
Observational
Reflexive
Expository
Performative
Participatory
Who is Peter Watkins?
Pioneer of the ‘docudrama’ style
Creates stylistically and thematically intense work
Blurs the line between fact and fiction
What film form does Peter Watkins use?
Cinema verite
Newsreel-type footage
Voiceover narration
Fourth-wall breaking
Who is Nick Broomfield?
Famous for a participatory approach to filmmaking
Encouraged the truth from his subjects
Underlines the fact that documentary is only a representation of reality
Believes that the truth comes from the relationship between filmmaker, subject and audience
What film form does Nick Broomfield use?
Voiceover narration
Long takes
Chaotic and haphazard sets
Interviews subjects himself
Appears on camera, in gear
What modern technology is used in SWT?
Sony CineAlta HDW-F900R cameras
Non linear editing
Multi-directional microphones
What is an advantage of modern cameras?
Cheaper, smaller, and can film longer takes uninterrupted
What is an advantage of non-linear editing?
Allows faster editing and easier replacement or change of clips
What is an advantage of multi-directional microphones?
Less intrusive, easier to hide, more mobile
What analogue technology is used in SWT?
Super 8 cameras such as the Canon 1014 AZ
What year was SWT released?
2012
