Documentary

A documentary is a factual report on a subject which can have a focal point of events, people or interests. Documentaries are very factual however they do not always show the truth. There are many documentaries that show opinions and points of view rather than the truth. Every documentary is different however some are similar in some aspects and can be categorized into 5 groups. These groups are labelled as:

-Expository
-Observational
-Interactive
-Reflexive
-Performative

Expository-

Expository is usually disembodied with a narrative or authoritative voice over. The documentary will usually address the viewer directly. The voice over will often narrate what is happening in the shot or will be giving facts or arguments to the clips/images being shown. A good example of this would be human planet. This is narrated by David Attenborough and factually documents all of the different areas on planet earth and the way they work. This documentary is completely factual and doesn't have any biased opinions. Although it shows the views of the people that they are interviewing. These types of documentaries will often have captions to show what is happening along with the narrative.

Observational-

An observational documentary will not interfere with anything that is happening and will try not to have any effect on what is happening. They will be bystanders in the filming and will not have any form of interaction with what is happening. These types of documentary will not present an argument or have any form of biased perspective. This will purely show what is happening and is non judgmental, it is left up to the audience to decide what they will be thinking about the text. The people that are in the documentary will often not be affected by the cameras and nothing will be changed. This is the best form of truth in a documentary as you are not told what to think or judge furthermore you are left to have your own unbiased thoughts about the text.

Interactive-

In this form of documentary there is usually an argument of point of view presented which the presenter will often be trying to prove or represent during throughout the documentary. The presenter will be trying to interact with the interviewees throughout the documentary and it is clear to the camera. The manipulation of the text will be more obvious through editing and has many arguments to oppose the filmmakers in saying that these types of documentaries are not truthful or genuine. This is due to there being an argument proposed and point of view shown to the viewer so they already know how to feel.

Access and privacy can be a big part of filming these media documentaries. If you don't have access to the venues and locations which you wish to film in, it may affect which of your cast and interviewees may be able to make it to the new location. Also, if you do not have the location which you want this may affect the shots you planned to take e.g. establishing shots. Having permissions to use a venue is legally important as if you use a location or venue without permission or consent you may be viable for suing/ legal action. Privacy is an essential part of the documentary as if you are invading peoples privacy, they may become confrontational or decide to take legal action against it.

Reflexive-

This style of documentary usually is experimented with and shows the construction of the media text. Reflexive documentaries are used to expose all of the conventions to the audience. The viewers will often be people who are interested in the truth and how these are made. These are experimental and are made to often educate the viewers on the construction in which they don't see in usual media text and allows them to develop their own critical and sophisticated argument. This will make the viewer aware of the struggles in which the filmmaker deals with. There is also very minimal editing as the point of this documentary is to show real life.

Performative-

This documentary style shows what it is like to be in a certain situation and presents a point of view. This style of documentary will often try to persuade the viewer into believing this in this perspective. This will often  include dramatizations and reenactments. These forms of documentaries are often not true and are often exaggerated.