documentaries

A video that examines the real world. 1. What are the four goals of a documentary? To document a subject in order to preserve knowledge To reveal something about the subject To allow the viewer to experience what it's like to be the subject To advocate on behalf of the subject 2. According to the website what is some of the appeal for the viewer of a documentary? documentaries are appealing to viewers cause they offer knowledge of the real world. 3. Briefly summarize the 6 modes of the documentary. 1. How do documentaries "...reflect the attitudes, ideas, interests, even the prejudices of the filmmakers." They reflect the times and the places in which they are created and the views of the film maker. 2. Give five examples of types of shots that refer to the size of the subject within a frame. - Medium close up - Extreme Close-up - Big Close-up - Close-ups - Close shots 3. What is the difference between a cutaway and a cut-in? cutaway is when your the camera motion is away from the main subject of the frame and a cut in focuses on the the main subject. 4. Decribe the relationship between an over-the-shoulder shot and a complementary shot. an over the shoulder shot is when the camera looks over the shoulder of one person to look at another. a complementary shot is when the view switches back and forth from interviewer and interviewie 5. What does the audio term "MOS" mean and where did it originate? "Mit of sound" it means silent and originated from german directors.
 * What is a Documentary?**
 * Expository documentaries**-like an essay it presents information, and can prove a case or persuade us of an interpretation of events or conditions
 * Observational documentaries**- observations of the people in interviews, hearing from all sides in the conflict, and wait for events to supply the kind of dramatic footage that makes a powerful film. (no narrator)
 * Reflexive documentaries**- exposes the filmmaker, his character and opinions, and even the process of filming itself. The film "reflects" the process of filming.
 * First-person documentaries**- The filmmaker uses the documentary form to examine his or her own situation, as an instrument of self-revelation or self-discovery.
 * Poetic documentaries**- In the poetic documentary, the aim is less to present an argument or idea as to reveal something extraordinary about the world.
 * TV Hybrids**- using documentary style and cameras to film tv reality shows.
 * The ABC's of Documentary Cinema**

**Preparing to FIlm**

//"It is extremely important for us to be clear about what we're trying to say, why we're trying to say it, and then work out a way to say it. Half of what a documentary is can be more about your attitude to the subject than the subject itself."// (Michel Grigsby and Nicholas McClintock, "The State We're In." Dox. 6, 6-10)

1. How will your attitude about a subject contribute to the content of the film?

2. Why might it be important for a filmmaker to be clear about what he/she is saying and why he/she is saying it? 3. Why is it effective to show people in action and interacting with each other? 4. Why is it important for a good documentary to have a clear perspective? 5. What kinds of things can a documentary filmmaker do to research a topic? 6. How can your audience enfluence your approach to your documentary? 7. Why must a filmmaker clearly organize his/her approach before filming?

//"By creating a plan, the filmmaker organizes his/her general vision, using ideas suggested by research, to formulate a more precise structure for the filming - even a list of sequences to be shot.//"

8. When might a documentary filmmaker use storyboards? 9. What is a shooting plan? What must be considered in creating a shooting plan?

**Essentials** 1. Describe the following jobs with regards to documentary film making: Director, Assistant Director, Production Manager, Camera Operator, Sound Recordist, Gaffer, Best Boy, Grip, Picture Editor, Foley Artist.

**Shooting The Documentary** 1. What is a shooting schedule? 2. What is the purpose of a pre-interview? 3. How can location contribute to the impact of an interview? 4. What can an interviewer do to avoid having their questions appear in the documentary? 5. What is considered common practice in frameing the interviewee? 6. What other shot should a filmaker gather during an interview?

**Putting It All Together** 1. What is the purpose of the Shot Log? 2. What is the benefit of making transcriptions of all the interviews? 3. What is a "problem-solution" structure? 4. What is the purpose of the Rough Cut? 5. Typically, what types of shots are cut from the final product? 6. What are some elements of good and bad narration?