Bill Nichols Documentary Modes

Bill Nichols in Introduction to Documentary notes six types of modes of documentary Expository, Poetic, Observational, Participatory, Performative, Reflexive Expository Mode !oice of "od Emphasises verbal commentary Offers for and a"ainst ar"uments Most associated #ith television ne#s pro"rammin" Poetic Mode $ub%ective, artistic expression Moves a#ay from the &ob%ective' reality of the "iven situation or people to "rasp an &inner truth' that can only be done by poetical manipulation Emphasises visual aspects, rhythmic (ualities, description Observational Mode )ly on the #all )ilmma*er remains hidden behind camera )ilmma*er does not have an influence on the actions+events bein" captured Nothin" is sta"ed Often handheld camera foota"e Participatory Mode Direct en"a"ement bet#een filmma*er and sub%ect,s )ilmma*er becomes part of the events bein" covered Reflexive Mode Emphasis on the construction of the documentary Not necessarily the truth, but a reconstruction of it . a truth, not the truth /udience are made a#are of editin", sound, recordin" etc0 Performative Mode )ilmma*er is a participant Emphasises the emotional and social impact on the audience )ilmma*er is the sub%ect under"oin" some *ind of experiment or participatin" in an event /fter studyin" the modes, #e decided that our documentary is most li*ely "oin" to be expository, as #e intend to offer an ar"ument,

perhaps biased, on tattoos0 1e also plan to "uide the audience throu"h our documentary #ith a voice of "od commentary, #ith no visible presence of the narrator on screen0