8/10/18 - LZ402 Lecture 2

This week we had a lecture introducing the different types of documentaries. Each week, we are required to reflect upon theories and then apply them to our own consumption of media and culture in this blog.
By definition, a documentary is a factual piece of media about a theme or person. We reflected on the different types of documentary and concluded that there are six key types:

1: Expository

• Addresses audience directly
• 'Voice of God'
• Making claims and assertions
• E.G. Blue Planet II

2: Observational

• Fly on the wall
• Unobtrusive
• Narration is viewed as intrusion
• Edited chronologically
• Related to direct drama (USA 1960s)
• E.G. Salesman

3: Interactive/Participatory

• Interactions between filmmaker and subject clearly shown
• Part of process of the film's genesis
• Shows awareness that it is a documentary
• Klutz style of interactive documentary
• Self-aware
• E.G. Grey Gardens

4: Reflexive

• Admits a documentary is being made
• Shows process of making documentary
• Makes the most of limited access
• E.G. Bowling For Columbine

5: Performative

• Staged to be filmed
• Sense of performance
• E.G. Supersize Me

6: Poetic

• Provides an experience rather than advancing an argument
• Experience not gained