Documentary Handout

We were given a handout during our brief from Film Art (8th ed) by Bordwell and Thompson:


What is a documentary?

• Every documentary aims to present factual information about the world, but the ways in which this can be done are just as varied as for fiction films. 
• In some cases, the filmmakers are able to record events as they actually occur. 
• The fimmaker might supply charts, maps, or other visual aids. In addition, the documentary filmmaker may stage certain events for the camera to record.
• A documentary may take a stand, state an opinion, or advocate a solution to a problem. 
• They present themselves as factually trustworthy.

Types of Documentary

• Compilation film, produced by assembling images from archived sources.
• Direct cinema / Cinema verite, records an ongoing event as it happens, with minimal interference by the filmmaker.
• Nature documentary
• Portrait, this type of documentary centres on  scenes from the life of a compelling person.

Very often a documentary persues several of these options at once. A film may mix archival footage, interviews, and material shot on the fly.

Categorical Form

• The catagorical fim often begins by identifying its subject
• Patterns of development will usually be simple. The film might move from small to large, local to national, personal to public, and so on.
• Because catagorical form tends to develop in fairly simple ways, it risks boring the spectator. The challenge to the filmmaker is to introduce variations and thereby to make us adjust our expectations.
• For example, the filmmaker may choose a category that is exciting or broad or unusual enough to present many possibliities for stimulating interest.
• Another way is through patterned use of film techniques.
• The cateagorical film can maintain interest by mixing in other kinds of film form.
• A filmmaker may take a stance on his or her subject and try to make an ideological point about it, thus injecting a bit of rhetorical form into the film.

 Rhetorical Form
Where the fimmaker presents a persuasive argument.
We can define rhetorical film form by 4 basic attributes:

• It addresses the viewer openly, trying to move him or her to a new intellectual conviction, to a new emotional attitude, or to action.
• The subject of the film is usually not an issue of scientific truth but a matter of opinion, toward which a person may take a number of equally plausible attitudes.
• IF the conclusion cannot be proved beyond question, the filmmaker often appeals to our emotions, rather than presenting only factual evidence.
• The film often attempts to persuade the viewer to make a choice that will have an effect on his or her everyday life.

 Often, however, these arguments are not presented as arguments.
There are 3 main types of arguments the film may use:

• Arguments from source, the film may present firsthand accounts of events, expert testimony at a hearing, or interviews with people assumed to be knowledgable on the subject.
• Subject-centred arguments, sometimes the film appeals to beliefs common at the time in a given culture. Often using examples that support this point. Filmmakers can back up an argument by exploiting familiar, easily accepted, argumentative patterns.
• Viewer-centred arguments, an argument that appeals to the emotions of the viewer.

Filmmakers often draw on conventions from other films to provoke the desired reaction.

Some filmmakers present their basic argument first, then go on to show evidence and the problems, and explain how they would be addressed by the solutions argued for in the film. Other films start with their problem, describe it in detail, and then let the viewer know late in the film what change is being advocated. This second approach may create more curiosity and suspense, leading the viewer to reflect on and anticipate possible solutions.