MODES OF

DOCUMENTARY- BILL
NICHOLS
1. Expository

2. Poetic

3. Observational

4. Participary

5. Reflexive

6. performative
-An expository documentary first appeared in the 1920s.
-it emphasizes the verbal commentary- the voice over
-the images on screen become subordinate to the voice over.
-the voice over is the most important thing which is where all the information is coming from, the images on
screen are just complementary.
-addresses the audience directly
-they educate and explain things
-the voice of god- this means that the voice over knows everything and what they says goes.
-some example of these are nature documentary's, where the narrator explains and commentates everything
on screen.
- They are normally based on nature, history and science.

EXAMPLE- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_BckhLECVY - Steve Irwin nature documentary.

- A poetic documentary arranges the footage in a particular order to evoke an audience association through
rhythm.
- Stressed the lyrical, rhythmic and emotional aspect.
- Not in a typical narrative structure
- unrelated shots are linked together through the mood and music.
- It allows the audience to believe what they want to believe and see what they want to see.
- Has images that can mean different things to different people depending on how they interpret it.
- These types of documentary's are done artistically, as they are more about the images than the narrative

- EXAMPLE- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI62e0fRieo - grey gardens documentary.

-long takes
-there are no interviews.
-the camera captures interrupted subjects, nothing is changed or manipulated.
-it is observing the truth
-subjects pretend they're not being filmed and get on with what they're doing, they ignore the camera.
- The filmmaker places their camera and let real life play out in front of them.
- The film maker is hidden .
- fly on the wall documentary, the camera is placed somewhere and just watches the action as it happens.
- You dont see the presenters.

- EXAMPLE- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nYneg3qR8U - benefits street

- The documentary maker interacts with the subjects, they're interviewed.
- -interviews tend to be informal
- The filmmaker is seen on screen to interview and to participate with the subjects by talking to them.
- The filmmaker becomes a part of the documentary
- Welcomes direct engagement.
- The presenter participates by interviewing the subjects, however they do not partake in any activities with the
subjects because that is performative.

- EXAMPLE- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8tV8-LT1Yo - ross kemp

-this type of documentary is where the filmmakers make it clear to the audience that its being filmed.
-The filming is made aware to the audience, this could be by the microphone being carried around, or moving the
camera and being able to see the camera.
-the presenters talk to the camera and engages with the audience.
-makes the audience more aware of the problems the filmmakers have while filming, for example you might see
them trip with the camera in hand.
-these tend to be the most truthful documentary's.

EXAMPLE- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PFqYyksYow -catfish

- Performative documentary's are one in which the person who is interviewing the subjects interacts and engages
with the subjects.
- They participate In the activities that the subjects are doing.
- This is the opposite of observational.
- Also gives the filmmakers opinion.
- The presenters performs with the subjects.

- EXAMPLE- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MUaxGtXT-0 - man vs food