RESEARCH: Models of Documentaries

Bill Nichols discovered that there were 6 different models of documentaries these included

• Poetic Mode- focus on experiences and seeing the wold through someone else's eyes. These are generally abstract and no clear narrative, they aim to create a feeling with in the narrative not always necessarily the truth.   eg. Man of Aran
• Expository Mode- they aim to inform or persuade the audience rather than create feeling.  eg. Night Mail
• Participatory Mode- this includes elements of expository and observations, however with these the filmmaker is included with the narrative.  eg. The Life of Michael Jackson
• Observational Mode- observe the world around them, attempts to show all sides of an investigation.  eg. Salesman
• Reflexive Mode- Similar to participatory due to the fact the filmmaker has a part in the narrative. However they don't explore an outside subject. eg. A Man with a Movie Camera
• Performative Mode- These are used to stress subject experience and to globally express an emotive message. Personal accounts may be juxtaposed with political or historical issue. eg. Tongues Untied