{"id":28446,"date":"2023-07-05T07:57:16","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T07:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/m2comms.com\/?p=28446"},"modified":"2024-02-14T08:47:19","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T08:47:19","slug":"documentary-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/m2comms.com\/2023\/07\/05\/documentary-types\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Documentary Types: A Quick Breakdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A documentary is not a film genre; it\u2019s a storytelling medium. Understanding the medium\u2019s distinct types will allow you to leverage its capabilities.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the digital age, documentaries occupy not only theaters and television but also social media<\/a>. With 70% of the population watching documentaries on a monthly basis<\/a>, the medium has not lost steam since its development. This article will discuss the documentary as a medium, its difference from fiction films, its value to filmmakers, and the six different types you can experiment with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Documentary as a Medium<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In art, \u201cmedium\u201d has a broad meaning. It is often used to describe the materials an artist uses. In this case, we will be referring to \u201cmedium\u201d as the art form an artist practices<\/a>. This can be sculpture, painting, or printmaking. Identifying the appropriate medium for your piece is key to your storytelling<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In filmmaking, there are stories best told through documentaries instead of fiction. These are stories that deal with urgent attention and require a call to action. Documentaries similar to \u201cHoneyland (2019)\u201d<\/a> and \u201cFlee (2021)\u201d<\/a> have utilized the medium to express a need for change. This film shows the urgent need for a sustainable approach to honey collection. Meanwhile, \u201cFlee\u201d draws attention to the distressing effects of war on children. By fictionalizing these stories, the truths of the main protagonists will lose their power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to fiction filmmaking, documentaries use cinematic language<\/a> in narrating their stories. So, what are the key elements that distinguish one from the other?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fiction and Nonfiction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We dissect works of literature into two factions: fiction<\/a> and nonfiction<\/a>. Documentary films fall under the nonfiction category. Each category has its own distinct identities and types. These perspectives help shape the stories they tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fiction is a product of imagination. These are fabricated stories set in fantasized worlds inhabited by made-up characters. In filmmaking, fiction films are guided by screenplays and are staged to envision the script. On the other hand, nonfiction deals with reality. These stories are set in the real world and told through the lens of real people. In filming documentary films, the filmmakers are guided by outlines and questions in capturing their participants. In practice, documentaries are not stage, and the subject is shot as it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither one nor the other is a better category. The story\u2019s quality falls on the filmmaker. A concrete and complete vision is key to identifying which category will suit your story best.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Documentary Types and Examples<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we have discussed the brief history of the medium, here are the six types of documentaries and their examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Poetic Documentary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This documentary type often does not have a linear narrative. This is a series of images accompanied by music to provide its audience with a surreal experience. Instead of finding an objective truth, this type focuses on curating a unique artistic style. This is individualistic and experimental in form. Watch War is a Tender Thing (2013)<\/a> by Dir. Adjani Arumpac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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