A2 PRELIMINARY TASK- DOCUMENTARY THEORYAdam Wareing

WHAT IS A DOCUMENTARY TERM COINED 1926-JOHN GRIERSON

Purpose: Document and report non fictitious events by incorporating actual footage, evidence, reconstructions and narrative to anchor meaning.

JOHN HORNER

‘WHAT DISTINGUISHES DOCUMENTARIESIS THE RECORDED SOUNDS OFD IMAGES OF ACTUALITY’

(Distinguished by audio/visuals recorded at the time by people who were there)

However, Some types of footage can be staged…

Eg. Reconstructions could exaggerate to increase drama.

People still directed in interviews, mise en scene therefore forced.

ISSUE DEALT WITH AND CREATED BY DOCUMENTARY

Issues dealt with: Religious, historical, social, artistic, political and cultural.

Current affairs is closely related to documentary however Current affairs is topical and sensational.

There is conflict between which style of documentary is best Art Reportage

Looks good mise en scene Hard hitting facts focused focused

Target Audience issues:

Scheduling (Time, channel and surrounding programmes) must be taken into accountEg. Panerama: Demands prime time

Principles: John Grierson 1930’sEg.

• Persuasion• Boost national moral• Give insight into

other people’s lives

• Establish national identity

Coal Face 1925

ISSUES DEALT WITH AND CREATED BY DOCUMENTARY

John Grierson’s definition: ‘Creative treatment of actuality (reality)’

Arguments raged regarding how ‘creative’ documentaries should be to ensure the truth remains…

Many Film makers argue that all film is faked, it is impossible to capture raw events therefore reconstruction is inevitable which leads to creativity.

Eg. Any event is impacted by the crew present.

DIANNE TANNES

‘EVERYONE WHO MAKES A FILM IS PUTTING THEIR OWN TRUTHS ON SCREEN’

(someone’s version of the truth is always presented)

Recently documentaries have evolved and have become harder to define….

Some even believe a change in name to ‘Non Fiction Programming’ should take place.

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED ELEMENTS OF DOCUMENTARY

The 5 central elements- John Corner, university of Liverpool

• Observation: Where the camera is ignored and the audience is placed as an eye witness. This turns participants into objects .

• Interview: Accounts from people knowledgeable on the matter. They can be seen or unseen and ma contrast the observation.

Eg1. Sometimes images can be used to anchor the meaning of the account and develop a further understanding.Eg2. Uninterrupted interviews can be used without the above if the account is particularly important.

• Dramatisation: Perhaps through observatory reconstruction providing two different accounts a dramatic conflict may be created to increase interest. Although many believe a focus on this could lead to a lack of truth.

• Mise en scene: Purposefully created to advance the argument of the exposition and increase relevance

• Exposition: The documentary must have a reason for it’s creation such as a point of argument that will be conveyed through narration or reconstruction for example.

•

ARGUMENTS CREATED BY DOCUMENTARYFact: High evidence-Weak Exposition What actually happened

It is believed that people struggle comprehending the difference between TRUTH and REALITY

DENNIS O’ROURKE People have different truths

‘It is critical that filmakers be rid of the fantasy that documentary can be an unproblematic representation of reality and that the truth can be conveniently dispensed and received like valium’

Varying truths lead to counterclaims !Many believe evidence is thebest way to support an exposition

However , John Povner argues: ‘Experts are adequate to support the view’

REACTION TO DOCUMENTARY Fact: Documentaries , generally, are not good ratings boosters

The most successful documentary subjects are SEX, VIOLENCE and LAW & ORDER

They are normally very controversial due to audience disagreements with the expositionAdvertisement companies don’t want to be tied to a controversial documentary- They don’t investTHEREFORE THEY ARE NOT POPULAR WITH TV BROADCASTERS

Complex relationships!

• Public’s right to know e.g they have a right to be presented with the truth.

• Rights of people being filmed e.g privacy.

• The producer has to assume what the audience wishes to know.

Issues with relationships

• Exploits humans by using them as evidence.

• Sometimes documentaries can present people how they don’t wish to be presented.

STEVE BARNETT- Uni of Westminster

- Claims ratings drivers are causing the quality of documentary to decline because of their sensationalism

-He calls this ‘Dinseyfication’

CONVENTIONS OF A DOCUMENTARYBEGINNING: Central question/Exposition made clear – Produced to intrigue – Followed by quick conflicting interviews

MIDDLE:Makes the complication clear- Examines the issue – Focuses on personal opinion – The conflict strengthens –DEVELOPS CONFLICT TO PROVIDE BLOCKAGES TO THE CLOSING OF THE ISSUE

END: Point out issues still remaining- Draw exposition to a close

DIALOGUE- Remains sincere- Interviewees incorporate question into

answer for flow.

LIGHTING- Authentic. Needs to be realistic to

allow the audience to come to their own conclusions.

CINEMATOGRAPHY- Handheld (adds realism)- Fixed Point close up for interview (Ensures focus on speaker)

SOUND- Vital to elicit emotional response- Music beds used to match mood of section of documentary