Introduction to documentaries

For our A level, we have been asked to create a documentary on a choice of our subject. There are four available types of documentary that we can use;

• Reflexive - where the film maker is in front of the camera


• Poetic - artistic narrative. More human interest than current affairs


• Observational - following an event as it unfolds


• Expostitory - exposition of a person or a topic

These types of documentary aren't exclusive and can be a combination or hybrid of the above types.

There are also four different purposes of documentaries;

• To record, reveal or preserve


• To persuade or promote


• To analyse or interrogate


• To express views or opinions