Documentary Basics
What is a documentary?
A film or program that explores real people, events or issues.
What is a 'Close-up' shot?
A camera shot that focuses closely on a person or object.
Who is the audience of a documentary?
The people the documentary is intended to reach or influence.
What does point of view mean in a documentary?
The perspective from which the subject is presented.
True or false: Everything shown in a documentary is automatically true.
False. Documentaries can contain mistakes, selective editing or misleading claims.
Documentaries can be created for a number of reasons.
List 2 reasons a person would make a documentary
1: to create public interest and/or raise awareness on a topic
2: to record important events
3: to inform viewers about a topic
4:to convey a particular message
What is a 'Voice-over'?
Narration heard over the footage that explains what is happening or providing extra information.
What does it mean to persuade an audience?
To encourage viewers to agree with a particular opinion or argument.
What is bias?
When information favours a particular opinion or perspective.
What is archival footage?
Previously recorded footage used to show past events or provide historical context.
List the four main types of footage seen in a documentary film.
1: Actuality Footage - real life footage
2: Archival Footage - previously filmed
3: Constructed Footage - scripted footage
4: Reconstructed Footage - recreated footage
What is background music used for in documentaries?
To create mood, build emotion and influence audience responses.
Why might a filmmaker include emotional interviews?
To build empathy and help the audience connect with the subject/topic of the documentary.
Why might a documentary include interviews with different people?
To provide multiple perspectives, experiences or opinions.
What is the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic sound?
Diegetic sound belongs to the filmed world
Non-diegetic sound is added for the audience.
What is the difference between a documentary and a fictional film?
A documentary presents real-world subjects, while fiction tells an invented or dramatised story.
What is non-diegetic sound?
Sound added for the audience that is not part of the filmed world, such as background music.
What is the difference between informing and persuading?
Informing provides knowledge; persuading aims to influence beliefs or actions.
What might happen if a documentary only shows one side of an argument?
The audience may receive an incomplete or biased understanding.
How can editing change the meaning of an interview?
Selecting or rearranging parts of an interview can change its context or how a person is perceived.
Can documentaries present a biased view of a topic? Briefly explain your answer.
Yes. Filmmakers can select footage, interviews and editing techniques to shape the audience's understanding.
How can camera angles influence the way we see someone?
Low angles can suggest power, while high angles can make a subject appear vulnerable or less powerful.
How can a filmmaker influence viewers without directly telling them what to think?
Through music, editing, camera shots, imagery and the selection of perspectives.
Why should viewers question what they see in a documentary?
Because footage, interviews and information are selected and edited, and may not tell the whole story.
A filmmaker uses sad music, close-ups and emotional interviews. What response might they be trying to create?
Sympathy or empathy, encouraging the audience to care about the issue or people shown.