Documentary 2011 Revision June 06, 2011

General Handout

Key questions

Key scenes

Examples essay

Example exam questions

Tips for reaching level 4

At  the  centre  of  all  documentaries  is  realism.  

They  claim  to  show  ‘reality  as  reality  is’.  They  don’t.  

The  portray  versions  of  reality  which  suggests  points  of  view  about  what  they  are  showing.

Definition:

1) Compare different documentary techniques employed to present the 'real', discussing their impact on the spectator. Refer to at least two documentaries you have studied.

2) Do you agree that as spectators we are more likely to accept at face value what we see and hear in documentary films?

3) Watching real people and real events in documentaries creates a very particular relationship between the spectator and the screen.’ How far has this been your experience of the films you have studied for this topic?

4) ‘The best documentaries are the ones that make their point of view clear.’ How far do you agree?

Exam questions

Documentary 2011 Revision June 06, 2011

5) What are some of the particular ways in which documentaries challenge a spectator who is more familiar with fictional film?

6) Compare some of the ways in which different documentaries you have studied raise important issues about spectatorship.

7) ‘Documentaries work on the spectator in ways that are very close to fiction films, using narrative and character to create drama and suspense.’ With reference to the documentaries you have studied, discuss how far you agree with this statement.

8) Are we more likely to accept what we see or hear in Documentary films?

More Exam Questions Q: Are we more likely to accept what we see or hear in Documentary films?

I do agree with this statement, that we as a spectator are more likely to accept what we see and hear in documentary films. There are a number of different reasons why.

Firstly, documentary films whole agenda is to represent a point or event, whether it be political, social or cultural. A documentary film is marketed and represented as a reflection of actuality, therefore audiences accept that the documentary film is truthful, whether they agree or disagree is another point. The different styles of documentary films can be said to ‘shape’ and even ‘manipulate’ audiences acceptance of what they see or hear in a documentary film.

Because documentary films are a reflection of actuality, audiences believe them to be a reflection of the truth.

key scenes

Documentary 2011 Revision June 06, 2011

Key  questions:

1. Does  the  presenter/voiceover  attempt  to  persuade  audiences  of  a  point  of  view?

2. What  kind  of  language  is  used?  (emotive?  guiding  us  to  think  in  a  particular  way?)

3. What  kinds  of  interviewees  are  used?  Ordinary  people/experts?  Do  we  believe  some  more  than  others?

4. If  there  is  a  presenter  or  people  being  interviewed,  what  image  is  given  to  them?  (dress,  physical  image,  body  language,  backdrop  against  which  they  are  Gilmed?)

5. How  does  camerawork  affect  your  point  of  view  about  what/who  is  being  Gilmed?

6. If  visual  effects  are  used,  how  do  they  affect  your  point  of  view?

7. How  is  editing  used?  Are  your  attitudes  to  people  affected  by  the  editing?(length  of  shots/scenes,  placing  contrasting  scenes  next  to  one  another  t  make  a  point,  cutaways)

8. How  does  turning  the  subject  of  a  documentary  into  a  ‘story’  affect  the  subject?

9. Does  the  documentary  style  affect  how  you  think  about  the  people  portrayed/the  subject  of  the  documentary?

Level 4

Candidates will be distinguished by an excellent knowledge and confident understanding of the critical issues they choose to engage with.

They will be able to make very detailed, accurate and precise reference to specific films and cinemas.

Work will be structured highly effectively.

There will be evidence of a clear and distinctive 'voice' developing.

There will clear evidence of a high level of understanding of film and film issues and an excellent ability to apply that understanding through coherent analysis of film and the critical and contextual issues relating to them.

Quality of written communication will be excellent.

It will be very fluent, well-structured and accurate, showing signs of sophistication.