Research into CONVENTIONS - Major task

Documentary films usually fall into six main categories based on how they handle reality, as Bill Nichols describes: Expository, Observational, Participatory, Reflexive, Poetic, and Performative. These styles, often mix in today's films, range from authoritative storytelling and "fly-on-the-wall" observation to more subjective or artsy takes on truth.

Here is a breakdown of the six primary types of documentaries:

1. Expository Documentary

   
   

This is the traditional form where a "voice of God" narrator talks to the audience to inform, educate, or convince them with a straightforward argument.

Key conventions include:

• Voice-over Narration ("Voice of God"): A non-diegetic, authoritative voice jumps in to guide the story, explaining facts and connecting the dots so viewers can follow along.

• Rhetorical Argument/Persuasion: The film is built around a main argument meant to inform or convince the audience.

• Talking Heads/Expert Interviews: Experts, witnesses, or profesionals share their insights to add credibility and depth.

• Archival Material and Still Images: Old footage, documents, and photos (often with the "Ken Burns effect") are used to support what the narrator is saying.

• Illustrative Editing:  Visuals are chosen to match and emphasize the narration.

• Direct Address: The documentary talks straight to the audience, often through narration or on-screen text, to present a clear viewpoint.

• Descriptive Titles/Graphics: Text, charts, or maps are shown on screen to simplify complex info.

2. Observational Documentary ("Fly-on-the-wall")

Observational documentaries, sometimes called "fly-on-the-wall" or direct cinema, have a style that aims to film real-life, everyday events without stepping in, interrupting, or narrating. This approach is all about creating an objective, immersive experience where the camera just watches silently.

Key conventions include:

1. Filming Techniques

• Unobtrusive Presence: The film crew stays out of the way, so people act naturally as if the camera isn't there.

• Long, Continuous Takes: Scenes often play out in real-time with little editing, letting you get fully absorbed and see things as they happen.

• Handheld Cameras & Natural Lighting: To keep things real and up-close, cameras are handheld and use whatever light is around.

• Synchronous Sound:  Sound is captured right there on the spot, with no voiceovers or extra sound effects added later.

2. Narrative and Structural Conventions

• No Interviews (Direct-to-Camera):  Instead of traditional interviews, info comes out naturally through conversations between people.

• No Voiceover Narration: The story unfolds through what you see and hear, not through a narrator explaining things.

• Absence of Staging: Everything is filmed as it happens, with no re-enactments or setups.

• Focus on Daily Life: The focus is often on daily routines or personal moments in places like homes, schools, or hospitals.

3. Key Characteristics and Philosophy

• Subjectivity of the Viewer: Without narration, viewers interpret what they see on their own, creating a personal connection to the story.

• "Truth" through Observation: This style, from the 60s and 70s, believes the best way to show truth is to watch without interfering.

• Focus on Human Interaction: The camera often catches genuine reactions, close relationships, and subtle emotions.

3. Participatory Documentary

In a participatory documentary, as Bill Nichols describes it, the filmmaker jumps right into the action, breaking that "fourth wall" to become part of the story as a participant, investigator, or even a character in their own movie. You'll often see direct chats on camera, laid-back interviews, and the filmmaker’s voice or presence throughout. It’s all about the give-and-take or sometimes even a bit of a clash between the filmmaker and the people they're filming.

Key conventions include:

• Filmmaker as Active Subject/Character: The filmmaker isn't just watching from the sidelines; they're right in the mix, visible and often steering the story with their actions, opinions, and personal digging.

• Active Interaction & Confrontation: Unlike just observing, this style has the filmmaker chatting with people, asking questions, pushing for answers, or even getting into some confrontations.

• Visible/Audible Presence: You’ll either see the filmmaker on camera, hear them asking questions from behind the lens, or catch their voiceover, often breaking that invisible wall between them and the audience.

• Informal, Conversational Interviews: These interviews aren’t your typical sit-downs; they’re more off-the-cuff, happening in all sorts of places (like on the go or on location), making for a real and natural chat.

• Essay or Investigative Structure: The film usually takes you on a journey of discovery or chases a big question, all centered around the filmmaker’s experiences and growing insights into the topic.

• Subjective Perspective:  The story is shaped by the filmmaker's personal take, meaning the film’s message comes straight from their own deep dive into the subject.

• "Running and Gunning":  Filmmakers often go solo or with a small crew, capturing those spur-of-the-moment scenes and sometimes even showing how they make the film as they go.

4. Reflexive Documentary

Reflexive documentaries pull back the curtain on how they're made, shaking up the usual idea of objectivity. They focus on the connection between the filmmaker, the subject, and the audience. You’ll often see things like camera crews in the shot, scenes being set up right in front of you, the filmmaker talking directly to the camera, and narration that makes it clear everything's subjective.

Key conventions include:

• Visible Filmmaking Process: Showing behind-the-scenes stuff like the camera crew, lighting setups, or editing to give you a peek at how the film is put together.

• Subjectivity & Self-Reference: The filmmaker often shines a light on their own role and viewpoint, focusing more on the process of making the film than just the topic itself.

• Breaking the Fourth Wall: Talking directly to the audience or acknowledging the camera is there.

• Uncertain/Questioning Narration:  Moving away from the all-knowing narrator style, these films use voiceovers that are often questioning, personal, or unsure.

• Anti-Realist Techniques: Using stylized lighting, dramatic music, and re-enactments to highlight the subjective, artistic side of the story.

• Highlighting the Subject/Filmmaker Relationship: Zooming in on the interaction and power dynamics between the director and the subject.

• Metadocumentary Elements: The film talks about the documentary genre itself, encouraging viewers to think critically about how truth is shown.

5. Poetic Documentary

Poetic documentaries focus more on creating a vibe and feeling rather than sticking to a straightforward storyline. They often use artsy, lyrical, and unique techniques to stir up emotions. You'll notice they rely on things like rhythmic editing, visual metaphors, and non-linear storytelling, putting more weight on the look and feel rather than just delivering facts.

Key conventions include:

• Subjectivity: Centers on the filmmaker's unique viewpoint, feelings, and personal "truth" instead of sticking to the facts.

• Non-Linear Structure: Ditches the usual story format (beginning, middle, end) for a more thematic, associative, or rhythmic flow.

• Visual Metaphor & Imagery: Uses eye-catching, symbolic, or abstract visuals to express ideas rather than straightforward explanations.

• Rhythmic Editing: The editing is driven by tempo, mood, and visual patterns, often feeling like music videos or artsy films, instead of following a logical sequence.

• Atmospheric Sound & Music: Sound design is richly layered, using music, sound effects, or narration to create a deep, emotional vibe.

• Lack of Traditional Commentary: Usually skips the standard interviews or authoritative narration, focusing more on telling the story through visuals.

• Fragmented Representation: Shows reality as a bunch of fragments, snapshots, or sometimes a mix of scenes from various places to explore a theme.

6. Performative Documentary

Performative documentaries focus on the filmmaker's personal journey, feelings, and involvement to dig into bigger social, political, or personal truths. You'll often see the filmmaker on-screen as the main character, using first-person storytelling. They might stage scenes, do reenactments, and mix their own history with documentary facts to highlight what they’ve experienced.

Key conventions include:

• Subjective Focus: Instead of sticking to an objective view, this style zooms in on the filmmaker's personal and emotional take on the subject.

• Filmmaker as Participant/Protagonist: The filmmaker often takes center stage, appearing on camera and actively engaging with the topic.

• First-Person Voiceover: You'll usually hear a personal narration, giving an "I was there" vibe instead of a distant third-person perspective.

• Blending of Genres: This approach mixes elements of documentary, autobiography, and experimental film.

• Staging and Reenactments: Performative documentaries might set up scenes or reenact events to convey personal experiences or emotions, rather than just filming things as they happen.

• Emphasis on "Truth" over "Fact": The aim is to convey what it feels like to be in a certain situation or community, focusing more on emotional truth than just plain facts.

• "How-to" or Experimental Structures: Filmmakers might build the documentary around a personal experiment (like eating only fast food for a month) to spark a reaction or uncover deeper insights.

The documentary I’m planning to make mainly follows the expository style. It will include sit-down interviews to share information and guide the story. The person being interviewed will act as the main voice of the documentary, talking about their experiences. While they speak, the interview will be intercut with B-roll footage of them doing everyday activities. This type of editing helps show what the person is talking about and makes the story more engaging for the audience. These real-life clips also add some observational elements, even though the overall structure of the documentary is mainly expository.