Documentary

Documentary


There are five different types/modes of documentary:

• Expository
• Participatory 
• Observational
• Reflexive
• Performative  

The Expository Mode directly speaks to the viewer by using a voice-over, This is the main mode we as an audience identify with; Which points out verbal commentary and argumentative judgement that the voice over (voice of god) portrays in the documentary that also attempts to persuade the audience to a particular point of view. This is one of the oldest forms of documentaries. An example of expository mode is used in nature documentaries such as  'the blue planet' .

The Participatory Mode interacts with the subject, interviewing them but tend to be formal as the subjects are normally 'on the run' from being interviewed. Usually used for the news as footage and it is recorded by a handheld or hidden camera. Documentary makers are shown to the audience as they take part in the action.  For example the participatory mode is used documentaries such as the BBC 'rogue traders' where they try interview people who are conning people into all sorts of house work etc and paying the con artist a lot of money

The Observational Mode is observing/ viewing the subjects daily life and circumstances , documented their life with and obtrusive camera (invisible) allows the subject to forget about the camera plus behave more naturally letting the audience to get to know the subject better. An example of observational mode is human's life docs for example "OCTOMUM" which follows the life of a mum who gave birth to eight kids.  

The Reflexive Mode catches on actively with issues of realism and representation accepting the presence of the viewer also uses re-enancments. Examples of reflexive documentaries follow the lives of celebrity 'when Fearne met..' and Keeping up with the Kardashians.

The Performative Mode interacts with subjects, comments on the process of documents normally an undercover investigation addresses the audiences emotionally and the subject of the documentary normally relates to do with identify. Performative Mode is usually used in documentary such as panorama on BBC