intro to documentary May 25, 2011

A2 FILM STUDIESDocumentary One question to be answered from a choice of two questions.

Spectatorship and Documentary

The study of the impact on the spectator of different kinds of

documentary – for example, the overtly persuasive

and the apparently observational film.

Section B: Spectatorship Topics (35 marks)

?DefinitionDefinition

Recap

intro to documentary May 25, 2011

Andy Warhol'Empire'1964 8 Hours 6 Mins

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial KillerNick Broomfield2003

'Creative treatment of actuality'John GriersonGrierson was a film-maker and critic, and is seen by many as the father of documentary.According to Grierson:

visual ‘document’ of a particular event.

real life as it occurs, spontaneous and un-mediated?

ordering and reshaping of the material is a creative process.

Can influence the audience response to a film.

‘Documentary should be an instrument of information, education and propaganda as well as a creative treatment of actuality’

1) Think of documentary films or television that fit into these categories.

2) How might these different purposes overlap?

3) Are there any other purposes that documentary film might seek to fulfil?

Consider the following purposes of documentary film:

• to record, reveal, or preserve• to persuade or promote• to analyze or interrogate• to express