"A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to 'document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record'."
The art of creating non-fictional films, including research, interviews, narration, and the responsibility to remain truthful to the subject matter.
Subject research: This includes researching for interesting and relevant subject matters that can be explored in a documentary film.
Scriptwriting: The process of writing the story or the script of the documentary film.
Pre-production planning: Planning the shooting location, budget, production team, and equipment.
Financing: Fundraising and obtaining financial support for the production of the documentary film.
Equipment: Understanding the equipment required for shooting and post-production.
Shooting techniques: Techniques and equipment used for capturing footage.
Lighting: Understanding the different lighting techniques that can be used for filming, indoor and outdoor.
Sound recording: Understanding the sound recording process and methods.
Interviewing techniques: Techniques used for conducting interviews that will help deepen the understanding of the subject.
Archival materials: Researching, collecting, and using preexisting archival materials such as photographs, recordings and documents.
Legal aspects: Understanding the legal issues related to documentary filmmaking such as copyright and privacy.
Editing: The process of putting together the footage and creating a coherent narrative.
Post-production: Coloring, sound editing and other techniques used to enhance the final version.
Distribution and marketing: Understanding how to distribute and market the documentary film, including film festivals and online streaming services.
Ethics: Addressing ethical issues in documentary filmmaking such as representing the subject(s) of the film in a truthful and respectful manner.
Postmodernism: Debates on the role of documentary cinema, truth, and subjectivities.
Genre studies: Understanding the different types of documentary films, such as cinema verité, advocacy, and expository.
Criticism: Understanding the importance of critique and how it helps to develop one's skills as a documentary filmmaker.
Production management: Understanding the different roles involved in documentary filmmaking, such as producer, director, camera operators, editors, and sound recordists.
History: Studying the historical development of documentary filmmaking and understanding the significant contributions of various filmmakers, such as John Grierson, Frederick Wiseman, and Michael Moore.
Audience: Understanding the importance of audience engagement, and how this can be achieved through narrative structure, visuals, and sound.
Visual storytelling: Understanding the art of visual storytelling, such as framing, composition, and composition, and how these techniques can enhance the impact of the documentary film.
Sound Design: Using sound as a tool for visual storytelling, such as music, sound effects and voice-over narration.
Observational Documentary: This type of documentary involves observing subjects in their natural surroundings without any intervention.
Expository Documentary: This type of documentary involves the use of a narrator or presenter to explain the subject matter to the audience.
Participatory Documentary: This type of documentary involves the filmmakers directly participating or becoming involved in the subject matter.
Reflexive Documentary: This type of documentary involves putting the filmmaking process on display or reflecting on how the documentary is being made.
Poetic Documentary: This type of documentary focuses on creating an emotional and artistic portrayal of its subject matter.
Performative Documentary: This type of documentary involves the filmmaker becoming or asserting their presence as a character in the story.
Social Issue Documentary: This type of documentary is focused on social issues or justice.
Historical Documentary: This type of documentary explores past events and uses archives and historical footage as primary source material.
Biographical Documentary: This type of documentary focuses on the life of an individual, often a well-known figure.
Music Documentary: This type of documentary explores the life, history, or cultural significance of music and musicians.
Wildlife Documentary: This type of documentary involves capturing footage of wildlife in their natural habitats.
Travel Documentary: This type of documentary focuses on the exploration of new and different cultures and landscapes.
Food and Cuisine Documentary: This type of documentary explores the cultural significance of food and cooking techniques.
Health and Science Documentary: This type of documentary deals with scientific discoveries, medical advancements, and explores human health and wellness.
Sports Documentary: This type of documentary focuses on the history, cultural significance, and personalities of sports.
Personal Documentary: This type of documentary involves the filmmaker telling their own story, often through a personal lens.
Environmental Documentary: This type of documentary deals with environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability.
Investigative Documentary: This type of documentary delves into hidden or unknown subjects, exposing injustice or wrongdoing.
Art Documentary: This type of documentary explores the art world, artists, and art movements.
Political Documentary: This type of documentary explores political events, movements, or issues.
"Over time, documentaries have evolved to become longer in length."
"Some examples are educational, observational, and docufiction."
"They are often used within schools as a resource to teach various principles."
"Documentary filmmakers have a responsibility to be truthful to their vision of the world without intentionally misrepresenting a topic."
"Social-media platforms (such as YouTube) have provided an avenue for the growth of the documentary-film genre."
"These platforms have increased the distribution area and ease-of-accessibility [of documentaries]."
"Early documentary films, originally called 'actuality films', lasted one minute or less."
"Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in terms of 'a filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception [that remains] a practice without clear boundaries'."
"[Documentaries are] intended to 'document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record'."
"Documentaries are very informative."
"Social-media platforms (such as YouTube) have provided an avenue for the growth of the documentary-film genre."
"Over time, documentaries have evolved to become longer in length, and to include more categories."
"They are often used within schools as a resource to teach various principles."
"Documentary filmmakers have a responsibility to be truthful to their vision of the world without intentionally misrepresenting a topic."
"Some examples are educational, observational, and docufiction."
"Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in terms of 'a filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception [that remains] a practice without clear boundaries'."
"Early documentary films, originally called 'actuality films', lasted one minute or less."
"These platforms have increased the distribution area and ease-of-accessibility [of documentaries]."
"They are often used within schools as a resource to teach various principles."