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Modes of Documentary by Bill Nichols
Bill Nichols in Introduction to Documentary notes six types of modes of documentary
Expository , Poetic, Observational , Participatory, Performative , Reflexive
Nichols 2001 looked at history of documentary and identified 6 distinct modes
From Expository to Performative (see below). In a linear progression. With distinct syles.
Nichol’s modes is not the only theory of documentary and is not definitive, see Bruzzi below and
also look at Grierson’s theories as well as Bazin’s views on realism.
Criticism of Nichols
Stella Bruzzi 2000 Criticsed Nichols for suggesting that Doc. makers have aimed for the
'perfect representation of the real’ and would fail in this impossible aim, thus undermining the
documentary form.
Quotes She said that ‘all types of documentary have existed at different times’
And have often, mixed styles. ‘What is the point of worrying about authenticity’
She sees documentary as contributing to meaning about real world events.
THE EXPOSITORY MODE (voice of god)
This mode is what we most identify with the documentary - it "emphasizes verbal commentary
and argumentative logic" often using a narrator.
Assumes a logical argument and a "right" and "proper" answer using direct address
+ offering preferred meaning.
Most associated with Television News programming.
Key Examples of Expository tradition in documentary include:
Work of John Grierson Many nature Documentaries
THE POETIC MODE – subjective, artistic expression
The poetic mode of documentary moves away from the "objective" reality of a given situation or
people to grasp at an inner "truth" that can only be grasped by poetical manipulation
Codes emphasizes visual associations, tonal or rhythmic qualities, descriptive passages, and
formal organization favours mood, tone and texture.
Key Examples of Poetic tradition in documentary include:
Robert Flaherty's Man of Aran (1934) - dramatic framing of material presents mythic image of
man in harmony with nature
Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia (1938) presents a glorified view of (Aryan) athletes during the 1936
Olympic Games - celebrating power and beauty of the (Aryan) human form + Triumph of the
Will (1935) + Baraka (1981) also Powaqqatsi (2003)
THE OBSERVATIONAL MODE – window on the world
Observational (objective) mode is best exemplified by the Cinema Verite or Direct Cinema
movement which emerged in the late 1950s/early 1960s - it attempted to capture (as accurately as
possibly) objective reality with filmmaker as neutral observer. See Fly on the Wall.
Codes/conventions
The filmmaker remains hidden behind the camera, ignored by the surrounding environment
he/she neither changes nor influences the actions/events being captured.
Since nothing is staged for the camera, the camera rushes about to keep up with the action
resulting in rough, shaky, often amateur-looking footage.
Key Examples of the Cinema Verite/Direct cinema Movement: .
Frederick Wiseman, Hospital (1970) – fly on the wall, American hospital
Richard Pennebacker's Don't Look Back (1967) - records Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of Britain
Also Soho Stories (1996), Geri (1999)
THE PARTICIPATORY MODE
Unlike the observational mode, the participatory mode welcomes direct engagement between
filmmaker and subject(s) - the filmmaker becomes part of the events being recorded
The filmmakers impact on the events being recorded is acknowledged, indeed, it is often
celebrated.
Key Examples of the Participatory Mode include:
The films of Michael Moore - here the filmmaker directly engages with the material being
address, he becomes a character in the documentary - an essential part of the subject
Nick Broomfield's work, such as Kurt and Courtney (1998)
Living with Michael Jackson (2004) Basher
THE REFLEXIVE MODE – awareness of the process
The Reflexive Mode acknowledges the constructed nature of documentary and flaunts it -
conveying to people that this is not necessarily "truth" but a reconstruction of it - "a" truth, not
"the" truth
Codes/conventions
The artifice of the documentary is exposed - the audience are made aware of the editing, sound
recording, etc.
Key Examples of the Reflexive Mode include:
Dziga Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera (1929) - documents the mechanization of Soviet life
in late twenties - the mechanical camera and cameraman become part of the subject
The art of making pictures is part of this "new" mechanical work and it to is part of the film - we
literally at points in the film see the film being constructed
THE PERFORMATIVE MODE – filmmaker as participant
This mode of documentary emphasizes the subjective nature of the documentarian as well as
acknowledging the subjective reading of the audience - notions of objectivity are replaced by
"evocation and affect"
Codes /conventions
This mode emphasizes the emotional and social impact on the audience
Key Examples of the Performative Mode include:
Supersize me Morgan Spurlock 2004
Arguably, films by Michael Moore