5 Types of Documentarys

5 types of Documentarys
BY BENN ANDERSON
Expository
 Voice over – this is one of the most important parts of expository

documentary's with voiceovers addressing the audience in an almost
‘voice of god/authority’ style.
 Images/Visuals – these can be used to illustrate the voiceover to the

audience and even can be used to show a counterpoint what is being
said.
 Editing – The editing remains the key role in any production but for
documentary's it helps maintain the continuity and allows the editor to
place the voice over on top of the footage.
Expository
 Persuasion - this type of documentary is more often than not biased trying
to persuade the viewer to think the same way the creator is thinking or to
make the viewer gain a particular point of view which will be beneficial to
the topic.
 This is most commonly done by the creator cleverly using the concept of
‘facts, common sense and the truth’ to influence the viewers opinion.
 An example of this would be ‘planet earth’ voiced by Sir David

Attenborough.
Observational
 Shooting – observation documentary's will usually be shot on location with

a handheld camera rather than a mounted camera, each shot is typically
longer which helps the creator bring a sense of realism into the footage.
The use of a handheld camera also shows movements of the camera you
wouldn’t be able to get with a mounted camera which makes the
footage look more authentic.
 Synchronous Recording – this will be used to record the action live instead
of adding it in, in post with the use of a voiceover. This technique is used to
help the viewer feel as if they are almost at the location where the event is
taking place.
Observational
 Realism – this is the main focus of observational documentary's as they

want to produce the most authentic footage to help the viewers
experience a realistic version of the event. This means no interviews are
included in the piece and any participant evolved will be instructed to act
as if there where no cameras there. Also to keep the production as
authentic as possible almost all the audio comes from the subject/source
while filming, this will include anyone in shot to the noise of the
environment around them.
 An example of this would be ‘Human planet’ produced by the BBC

showing different ways of living within the regions of the world.
Participatory (Interactive)
 Shooting – Unlike observational documentaries the presenter and the crew

play a huge role both on and off screen . Also contradicting observational
documentaries interviews make up a rather large part of participatory
documentaries. Although these two types do share when common ground
with both having longer shots and both use the effect of handheld camera
work to keep the realism.
 Audio – Uncommonly to most participatory documentaries will use various

types of audio as they need to cover a wide range of audio sources. The
voiceover (often done by the creator emphasising their involvement on screen
even further) will be used to helps the viewers understand what is happening
with the use of synchronous recording, whereas for interviews they will use the
audio from the interview so the viewer knows what's being said.
Participatory (Interactive)
 Creator Inclusion – this is why its called participatory, unlike other types of
documentaries they will focus on using the creator of the documentary to
help push there view or how they may interact with the topic/subject
matter. This means that the creator will be on camera as much as they are
off which helps show there passion behind the topic to the viewer.
 An example of this would be Professors Brian Cox’s ‘wonders of the solar

system’, where he will present the documentary educating the audience
on multiple stellar events.
Reflective
 Fictional Film Techniques – this is very unique to reflective documentaries as the

creator uses this technique to make it seem more like a fictional film than a
documentary. This can help the viewer understand a topic more as it allows
the use of re-enactments of events which otherwise would not of been seen.
This also allows the creator to push the emotion to the viewer as it gives them
control over certain aspects of the location environment, e.g. using dramatic
lighting to trigger an emotional response with the viewer.
 Voiceover – the use of voiceovers in reflective documentaries doesn’t have

the same effect as it would in other documentaries but instead creates a more
narrator like effect which questions the subject and can even seem unsure
about it.
Reflective
 Storytelling – this is what makes reflective documentaries different from all

the others, unlike other documentaries which almost shepherd the viewers
mind towards the point they are trying to make; reflective documentaries
allow the viewer to come to their own conclusion on the subject matter.
 An example of this would be, Man With a Movie Camera by Dziga Vertov’s
which made history with its actor-less presentation of ordinary Soviet life.
Performative
 Creator Inclusion – much like a participatory documentary the creator of the

documentary is heavily involved as well as the crew. The creator will often interact with
the subject while also passing comments on it as well as the progress of the project.
 Subject Matter – this is a key topic for performative documentaries as they will usually stay
away from typically documentary topics such as historical events and instead chose a
more personal topic such as the stigma amongst different sexuality's and the struggle
they may face. They use these topics as it helps address the viewer in a direct and
emotional way, this also creates a big impact on the viewer as they aren’t a ‘fairy tale’
they won’t always end with a happily ever after.
 An example of this would be Supersize Me by Morgan Spurlock which documents his

experience of solely eating McDonald’s fast food for 30 days, chronicling the body issues,
health problems, and the ensuing doctor’s visits he endures in an attempt to prove that
the food sold at the famous chain is unhealthy.

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5 types of Documentarys

 Voice over – this is one of the most important parts of expository

 Images/Visuals – these can be used to illustrate the voiceover to the

 An example of this would be ‘planet earth’ voiced by Sir David

 Shooting – observation documentary's will usually be shot on location with

 Realism – this is the main focus of observational documentary's as they

 An example of this would be ‘Human planet’ produced by the BBC

 Shooting – Unlike observational documentaries the presenter and the crew

 Audio – Uncommonly to most participatory documentaries will use various

 An example of this would be Professors Brian Cox’s ‘wonders of the solar

 Fictional Film Techniques – this is very unique to reflective documentaries as the

 Voiceover – the use of voiceovers in reflective documentaries doesn’t have

 Storytelling – this is what makes reflective documentaries different from all

 Creator Inclusion – much like a participatory documentary the creator of the

 An example of this would be Supersize Me by Morgan Spurlock which documents his

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