observational documentary

Observational documentaries consist of the documentary maker following the person around to observe the events that happen in their life.

The equipment can be quite informal , for example there is a lot of using hand held cameras.

Usually no interviews are included and there is no interviews.

Long takes are used and synchronous sounds are incorporated.

The direct address of expository may be contrasted with the observational mode , where the documentary appears to take a detached neutral stance towards its subject matter.

Observational Documentaries arose from available , light weight portable cameras. It allowed film makers to record unobtrusively. It stresses the non-intervention of film maker. The Editing if any , does not attempt to construct time frame or rhythm but enhances impression of real time.

Boston director Frederick Wiseman, considered to be the master of observational cinema, is known for his ground breaking studies of institutions and big social issues.

In his films, carefully edited and arranged actuality scenes speak for themselves. There is no intervention by the filmmaker, no interview questions, no commentary to camera, no narration. Also, on location, he records the sound and handles the microphone. Freed from looking through the viewfinder, the director is able to pay better attention to what’s going on around him and anticipate the action. He also communicates with his camera person through pre-arranged hand signals and directs by pointing his microphone at what he wants filmed.

documentary formats : dramatisation

Dramatisation

This style will take a highly publicised or covered issue,event or tragedy

They use a lot of witness accounts and research in order to re-create the issue or event in an as accurate way as possible

They will re-create the issue or event in an as accurate as possible way.

Normally you find there are interviews acting as the narrative 2/3/4 professionals.

They can often become more like a film / TV drama series.

codes and conventions

• professional re-constructions of situations (camera and editing work)
• narrative written based upon extensive research
• lots of pre-arranged interviews and archive footage
• varied camera shots and angles
• editing is film like in its final cut
• formal ‘expert’ interviews
• snaps between expert interviews and dramatised re-construction.

There is a lot more non-diegetic sounds within dramatisation documentaries.

An example of a dramatisation documentary is The chanel 4 Gun Powder plot. Throughout this documentary there are professional re-constructions happening based on the events that were carried out during the gun powder pot. Lots of facts are included within the narrative clearly based upon research into the gun powder plot.

There is a scene which consists of a pre-arranged interview from a lecturer from the University of London. It is very formal and there are snaps between this expert interview and the dramatised re-construction of the gun powder plot. Whilst the re-construction takes place , there is a lot of non-diegetic audio throughout to accompany the scenes and also to create tension and add a dramatic effect.

documentary formats : interactive

Interactive documentary

These type of documentaries are just like performative but involving more interaction by the film maker with subjects involved.

They include more pre-arranged tasks and scenarios and are usually more fun and entertaining , with less of a serious tone and message.

They have a variety of tone included within the documentary to help create the tone and feel throughout. Sometimes , but rarely , a voice over can help to inform the audience.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

• The film maker is visible and interacts with the subject.
• involves more hand held camera work
• interviews and Q&A’s tend to be more informal
• wallpaper shots and cutaways lead into the next scenes. LS and establishing shots are normally on a tripod
• some voice over is usually done by the documentary – maker alone
• multi – cam set ups to maintain continuity

Audio

diegetic – audio from scenes , voices , ambiance from locations

Non-Diegetic – more use of music / soundtrack – synchronized sound effects

A good example of an interactive documentary is Karl Pilkington – An idiot abroad. He is very involved , present and interactive with other people in the documentary. There is a scene where is about to do a bungee jump. In the scene there are hand held camera shots , and also some shots from what look like a go-pro. This creates a more personal effect. It is clear that this task was pre-arranged and it is extremely fun and entertaining for the audience to watch.

There is also another scene where he participates in a land dive and interacts with the subjects as well again. The camera picks up a lot of the diegetic audio from the scene itself but also includes some non-diegetic audio of a soundtrack. wallpaper shots and cutaways are also very present , especially when moving onto a new scene. This is the style through out the documentary.

documentary formats : performative

performative documentary

In a performative documentary , The film maker is subjective in the documentary and influences the direction that the film is going in. This style gives the film maker chance to tell a story and create the narrative. This results in more emphasis on the emotional and social impact on the audience. The film maker tries to bring out the audiences view points on the issue that is being reported.

codes and conventions

• establishing and wall paper shots to accompany voice over narration
• medium , close up , POV shots
• relatively hand held, additional feeling and tone
• mixture between pre-arranged interviews and ‘spur of the moment interviews’
• reaction shots
• direct address by the film maker

Within performative documentaries , voice overs are used to frequently add further information and show the writers views on the footage that has been shown.

The camera man often follows the on screen presenter. Looking at an example of a performative documentary , Reggie Yates Extreme Russia , It is is clear that Reggie is present through out and the camera man follows him and everything he is doing. His questions are what lead the documentary and his voice overs also help with the flow and the additional tone

There is definitely a mixture in the documentary between pre-arranged interviews and ‘spur of the moment’ interviews. There is a moment in the documentary where he turns up to somebody photo shoot who is using weapons such as an ax and a gun to co-ordinate with their outfit. This is not what he expected at all and from this , he was able to put together some questions in relation to what she was doing.

documentary formats : expository

expository style

The purpose of an expository documentary is to inform the audience about an event , topic or some issues. The approach they take is to investigate or to entertain people. Facts , figures and statistics accompanied by some narration. This is sometimes referred to as ‘talking head’, a voice over accompanied by visuals on screen.

An example of an expository documentary is ‘The 4 Billion Pound Hotel’ on channel 4. During this documentary we are given an insight into Dubai’s most luxurious hotel. It follows the codes and conventions of an expository style documentary.

codes and conventions

• they are heavy with establishing , master and wall paper shots
• contain interviews and have direct piece to camera address
• lots of planning and narrative considerations
• video and images are used to illustrate and voice over’s to accompany
• a variety of footage , interviews , stills and archive material

Here is an example of a wall paper shot which are used heavily in expository documentaries. The moving images and videos are used to illustrate as we are watching and throughout these shots , they are accompanied with a voice over. This is also known as non-digetic audio , sound that is not within the footage. Lots of planning is needed for this type of documentary and there are a lot of narrative considerations that take place.

Here is an example of an interview taking place in the documentary. Here he is directly addressing the camera however when watching the documentary a lot of cutaways happen to again illustrate and accompany. It is a medium close up shot of just his head and shoulders. Although you can’t see his full body , there is still enough to ensure that he is engaging with the viewers. Whilst he is being interviewed , the camera starts off filming him but then switches to other parts of the hotel that are relevant to what he is talking about. This is known as a cut away. The shot cuts away from the main action but then returns to the original shot with new meaning. This maintains continuity throughout the process.

This shows a variety in the shots that are used throughout this documentary.