Types of Film

The three types of film

• Narrative

• Documentary

• Avant-garde/Experimental

What defines a narrative film?

Fictional films focused on telling a story with cause‑and‑effect logic.

What defines a documentary?

Non‑fiction films about real people, places, and events. Recording reality, educating viewers, presenting political/social analyses

What defines an avant‑garde/experimental film?

Films that defy convention and explore different things

What is animation in filmmaking?

Producing still images through different mechanisms but using the same formal approaches as live action. Animation exists across all three types of film.

John Grierson

Coined the word documentary. called it “the creative treatment of actuality”

Bill Nichols

Said documentaries claim that “what you see and hear is real”

What is a factual documentary?

Straightforward presentation with little manipulation

What is an instructional documentary?

A film that teaches a skill (e.g., cooking, yoga).

What is a persuasive documentary?

Advocates for social justice or a particular perspective.

What is propaganda in documentary form?

Deceptive or distorted information curated to influence public opinion.

What is the “voice of God” in documentaries

Unseen narration paired with B‑roll or archival images.

What are “talking heads” in documentaries?

Interviews with knowledgeable or relevant people shown in close shots.

What is a reenactment?

A staged action of something that happened in the past.

What counts as archival material?

Preexisting footage such as news clips, historic photos/videos, or audio.

What is the expository mode of documentary?

Voiceover argues a point with images illustrating the argument.

What is the poetic mode?

Artistic, subjective, emphasizing rhythm and mood over continuity.

What defines observational documentaries?

No voiceover, no interviews, long takes, filmmakers hidden.

What defines participatory documentaries?

Filmmaker interacts with or participates in the subject.

What defines performative documentaries?

Filmmaker is personally/emotionally involved and addresses the camera directly.

What defines reflexive documentaries?

The filmmaking process itself becomes the subject.

Why are documentaries in a renaissance today?

Streaming platforms and increased variety.

What were early documentaries called?

“Actualities.”

What is the purpose of avant‑garde film?

• To challenge aspects of the cultural status quo.

• Not commercial

• Personal

• Does not conform to cause and effect convention

• Invited individual interpretation