Elements in Making a Good Documentary Film

A documentary demonstrates an interpretation of the truth by attempting to persuade an audience to side with the makers to endorse their interpretations of issues and events. In the instance Bra boys; Blood is thicker then water, directed by Sunny Abberton, the Bra Boys gang is viewed as a imitation of a prodigious brotherhood gang of surfers that are victims from occurrences and backgrounds opposed to a gang that dispute with the law by an act of violence. The Bra Boys have interpreted issues and events by emphasizing the importance of family, belonging, brotherhood and multiculturalism. The use of presenting constructed footage and personal interviews endorses viewers to see the Bra Boys from a positive light, boys who are role models to

Firstly, it is important to understand how the documentary form is best suited to illustrate the film’s theme. In order to do this, one must have an overview of the documentary style of filmmaking. Documentaries concern themselves with the “exploration of

The obvious bias illustrated throughout Michael Moore’s film certainly does detract from the messages conveyed however when presented in the right circumstances it adds more value to the messages. The obvious bias leaves many people questioning the credibility of the director’s message as it doesn’t show the full spectrum of the situation, which is what documentaries are for, and ultimately this detracts the films message. However, in some circumstances the obvious bias brings more light on important aspects which should be acted upon thus adding more value the message being portrayed. Michael Moore has directed over 12 documentaries and a handful of them have been awarded with prestigious film awards. “Where to invade next”, “Sicko”, “Bowling for Columbine”, “Capitalism: a love story” and “Fahrenheit 9/11”, these are just half of the documentaries in which Michael Moore has directed. The purpose of a documentary is to present a nonfictional motion picture which aims to promote or

Society tends to associate propaganda films with issues such as Nazi Germany and their film messages for their country; however, it is also possible for small independent companies, groups of like-minded people and individuals to use the media of film to incorporate messages for our society (The Independent, 2010). These messages are often in relation to changes that individuals should make in order to improve the standards by which they live their lives and changes to everyday habits that will benefit the individual, the individual’s family, a group of individuals or even a single person (Barnhisel and Turner, 2010).

What makes documentary filmmaking distinct to narrative filmmaking? There are a few contrasting objectives for both types of filmmaking that distinguishes them from each other. Simply put, narrative filmmaking is a movie with a pre-written script, actors and a story which is already crafted before they start shooting. while documentaries are filmmaking where real life events are captured, and a script is usually written afterwards. Narrative films rely on the three-act structure which goes Setup, Confrontation and Resolution or in other words, a beginning, middle and end. The main aim for the three-act structure is for the story to develop while the stakes get risker for our characters, so they evolve as the movie goes on. Narrative film

As a viewer, the documentary’s intention to inform is more completely fulfilled by research conducted beyond the scope of the camera lens. Had I never written this paper, for instance, the reason for all the violence embedded within the subject matter would remain as enigmatic as the documentary itself.

Documentary films in particular have been the preferred channel for the diffusion of propaganda because of its association with ‘a truthful cinema.’ John Grierson, coiner the term documentary, defined it as “the creative treatment of actuality.” However, Hilmar Hoffman talks about film’s illusory power by explaining that what exists to the viewer is only what the camera ‘sees,’ and due to the absence of alternate perspectives, the viewer conventionally perceives the images shown as reality. In this regard, documentary films are able to influence, represent, and create a particular consciousness by doctoring events, thus making it untrustworthy and, ultimately, the ideal medium to communicate

Documentaries also include films which are intended to ‘expose’ and often carry interviews, for example Michael Moore’s films on social concerns

Many documentary makers include their individual cultural assumptions and discourses to distort the truth and position the target audience to react in a desired manner. This

Everyday experience, suggests Edgerton, like documentary, arises from the interplay of two realms; one hidden and one perceived. This duality, encompassing both the darkroom of the film developer and dark theater where the film is screened, pertains not only to documentary but to life as we live it. Masked by our “inherent inability to see,” and curled inside timescales we cannot untangle, a bizarre world plays out, contained by, yet isolated from that which we live in (Edgerton. 1970 1-2). Nevertheless, this domain remains intimately connected to ours, accessible only through the lens of ongoing technological advancement. Similar to the convoluted relationship between adjacent timescales, documentary and truth also share an

Documentaries have been around for ages. The genre is often based on true events or facts. When a viewer watches a documentary, they often feel empowered. They feel empowered to either take action because they support the views of the film, or take action against the film if they do not agree with the views of the film. While some people turn to the news to find out about social issues, people also turn to documentaries. In an article talking about documentaries and their impact, it stated “with ever increasing frequency, these films are considered part of a larger effort to spark debate, mold public opinion, shape policy, and build activist networks” (Nisbet 450). Subjects that were originally brushed under the rug, now gains much more

Direct interviews allow people to speak directly about certain events and topics by answering questions from the filmmaker. Whereas in indirect interviews, the questions are not asked by the filmmaker, the speakers discuss the same answers and questions in a casual conversation without directly asking each other questions. This technique gives the viewers both a sense of realism and comprehensive information about the topics. Among interviews, there are many other film techniques incorporated in this documentary. These techniques include: camera shots, camera angles, camera movements and transitions.

This documentary has a voice which is the most important part of any movie, furthermore, it has it own way of living and breathing and speaking to

Apparent in all his films, Moore is unafraid to make use of entertainment to discuss political, economic, industrial, cultural, and social concerns that informs, provokes, and sometimes, manipulates its audience. Moore utilizes the documentary form of filmmaking that adapts to the shifts in popular culture where entertainment value is crucial. Though his chosen subject matter are commonly treated in a scholarly and profound manner, he remains critical by treating these topics in a comedic and sardonic manner.

In a documentary, the artist is rarely seen, his or her character, personality, and opinion are shown in the shots they choose or the way in which they commentate on their surroundings. A journalist is a main focal point in their piece, they are a recognizable face ever-present in the film. They walk through the environment explaining the events to the viewer face-to-face. A journalist’s opinion or style is often shown in their commentary choices and they way they hold themselves in front of the camera. Their emotion is shown on their