1. WHAT IS A DOCUMENTARY?
-a documentary is a representation of actual events and people
-documentaries place their main emphasis on educating and/or persuading its viewers of some point
-basic premise of a doc is that what is seen and heard on screen was not created expressly for the purpose of making a film

2. -even an unreliable documentary is still a documentary
-a misleading documentary is still a documentary
-a documentary that propagates incorrect information is still a documentary

3. RAW FOOTAGE
raw footage is the record of an event that has been minimally influenced by the process of filming or editing
brings the viewer as close to the primary experience recorded by the filmmaker as possible
BUT THIS IS STILL NOT “REALITY”

4. Mediation
the documentarian is the mediator between the viewer and the event represented by raw footage
the degree and type of this mediation by the filmmaker varies from film to film
the techniques of mediation that the filmmaker chooses affects how we perceive the raw footage

5. Observational
these filmmakers attempt to not interfere with the event happening before the camera
they do not impose more than a minimal structure on the raw footage when they edit it
emphasizes pure description over analysis
Includes: ethnography and “direct cinema”

6. “The Philosophy of Non-Interference”
the integrity of the event being filmed must be maintained
there is an inherent meaning in the event being filmed
the camera can record and reveal this meaning to the viewer without mediation by the filmmaker

7. What do observational docs look like?
long takes
camera is often hand held
camera is rarely static
On location sound
Available light
Occasionally out of focus
“Imperfect” look

8. Analytical
-the filmmaker analyzes the subject matter rather than simply recording and presenting it to the audience -these filmmakers also acknowledge their own mediation in the filmmaking process -THIS IS THE KEY DIFFERENCE FROM OBSERVATIONAL -includes: compilation films and cinema verite

9. “Talking Heads”

10. Persuasive
a persuasive documentary attempts make a pitch, sell or promote an idea, change a point of view, or incite the viewer to political or social action
persuasive films do not have any particular style since they basically use any means possible to get their point across in the most effective way
the one element they all share is that they are dependent on the editing process for their power
includes: expose and propaganda

11. See it Now (1951)

12. Propaganda
propaganda is a persuasive film that attempts to stir the viewer’s emotions in order to persuade the viewer to agree with the position of the filmmaker
emotional manipulation, at the expense of truthfulness or full disclosure, is the key factor

13. Aesthetic creative treatment of actuality
these filmmakers apply the techniques of poetry and drama to documentary material

14. A Day in the Death of Donny B—2 min mark
Reagan vs. Mondale in 1984 (reelection)
 Man with Movie Camera
Bush vs. Dukakis in 1988
 Aesthetic
Direct Cinema—4:40
Hoop Dreams
See it now
Nightline