Elements
These often appear at the bottom of the screen to identify people or give dates.
Captions
Most documentaries follow this narrative structure: beginning, middle, end.
Linear
Documentaries are always completely objective.
False
This shot type is commonly used in interviews to show emotion.
Close-up
This kind of interview only shows the person being interviewed, not the interviewer.
Indirect interview?
This key structural element is used to “hook” the viewer early on.
Exposition/Introduction
These three things determine how ‘truthful’ a documentary really is.
Evidence, POV, Accuracy
A shaky, realistic filming technique often used in vérité styles.
Hand-held camera
These digitally created visuals are used to illustrate abstract concepts.
Graphics
The emotional takeaway or message is often called this.
Main idea
When filmmakers withhold or distort information, they risk crossing into this genre.
Propaganda
Sound that originates from the actual scene, like footsteps or dialogue.
Diegetic Sound
This is used when no real footage exists, often signaled by an on-screen label.
Re-Enactment
These recurring figures in documentaries represent broader social groups.
Archetype
Why should viewers be cautious of documentaries that only present one side of an issue?
It may misrepresent the truth or lack objectivity?
This camera shot mimics what a subject is seeing to help build empathy.
POV
This term refers to raw footage filmed as events unfold.
Actuality
This classic story framework sometimes appears when a subject undergoes growth or challenge.
Hero's Journey
What role does editing play in shaping how “truth” is presented in documentaries?
Editing can include or exclude information to support a specific argument or narrative?
When a film uses a narrator speaking off-screen, it’s called this type of sound.
Non-Diegetic Sound