Nichols modes of documentary

& random def.

6 modes of documentary

1. Participatory

2. Poetic

3. Performative

4. Observational

5. Reflexive

6. Expository

Participatory mode

• Interaction of filmmaker with subject

• Records impact of interactions

E.g. Icarus

Poetic mode

• abstract resembles avant garde

• Not concerned with objectivity but aesthetics / tone

E.g. samsara

Performative mode

• emphasises subjective nature of the documentary filmmaker

• Opinionated

  E.g. Michael Moore

Observational mode

• filmmaker behind camera

• Doesn’t influence actions / events

E.g. longinitto

Reflexive mode

• refers directly to documentary form

• Comments on production

E.g. man w movie camera

Expository mode

• perusing an argument

• Grounded in evidence to agreement

• Traditional

  E.g. march of the penguins

rabingers definition of a good documentary

• tell a good story

• portray a personal / critical perspective on human conditioning

• develop audiences knowledge

• dramatic suspense

frasers definition of a good documentary

• alive

• diff directions of exploring objective

• entertain