UNIT 27 - Nichols Modes documentary

Realism

Realism is the actual footage filmed first hand. It is all natural and none o fit is acted. This is usually seen in documentaries where the footage has to be coming from a direct source and not one that has been set up. This adds realism as it is all natural and not "made up". It usually consists of interviews with people who were involved in the topic/event. This again gives first hand sources and information for the audience to take in and have their own personal opinion to. In addition graphs and statistics can be used to support and validify points given within the documentary. It all just adds up to the whole aspect of it being 'real'. Also within a piece that is under "realism" a handheld camera is usually (most of the time) used as it gives us what individuals who are actually there see. If there were all sorts of angles and different camera techniques being used, then it wouldn't have the feel of a realistic piece and therefore it would defeat the purpose. An example of this would be on Ross kemps 'South Londons' gangs where all the footage is first hand and comes from a direct source of information. This is reliable and shows the realistic side of the whole documentary in itself.


Dramatisation

Dramatisation is the use of re-enactments alongside interviews. This features acting which is usually based off a real life event or topic. They will not have raw footage of the actual event it is usually  reenactment which features real people who are acted by others. This gives the audience a more in depth look at the topic. They will also add in sounds more specifically non-diegetic sounds to emphasise the mood that should be coming from the audience. This makes the piece more engaging to the viewer. This can be seen in the show 'Crime watch'. This gives us reenactments of real life events which have happened to people. It gives the audience an idea of what actually happened. It also helps engage the audience as they get the opportunity to see something that happened in real life only it is being reenacted by actors and not actually the people who were involved. Interviews are actually taken too to get some first hand information. This adds to the whole information and viewing experience as the audience are getting both information and engaging television.


Narrativisation

Narrativisation is creating a story with a narrative structure which is based on facts. This mode of film is very informative and engaging to viewers. The narrator of the film would be telling us different facts about what is on screen and will give their own opinion in most cases. This grabs the attention of the viewer as their is information (facts) along with an opinion. A perfect example of this would be on the National Geographic channel Narrated by David Attenborough on his wildlife experiences. He gives facts and information and this engages the audience. However in my own opinion the mode of getting to the audience is very slow paced usually and can bore me which could lead to me losing interest.





Expository

This is also known as "The Voice Of God", this is a voice over of what is happening and it influences/persuades the viewer to look at something in a certain way. This can lead the audience to agree with what is being said. In addition it also It can teach the audience and in effect make them feel under pressure and feel more accepting of the information being given to them. It in a way manipulates the viewers to think in exact way. An example of this would be in the nature programme "The march of the penguins". In this text a narrative voice known as Morgan Freeman speaks over everything which is happening on the screen and also tells the audience his own opinion.  This is very similar to narrativisation however this is more manipulative and makes the audience believe a certain view.



Observational

This is when the camera is just on the focus, there is no narration usually a person who follows around the focus without getting in the way. This can also be called the "fly on the wall" technique as it is as if we are a fly following around a certain focus and seeing how they live. This is a style in which the audience get very engaged. However this can get pretty boring as following around certain people all day and seeing how they live isn't really the most entertaining thing unless you are a die hard fan of them. An example of a show like this would be 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' or The real Beckhams'. In these shows the camera follows the families around seeing their day to day luxury lifestyles. This can be engaging to some as they'd want to wonder what these A-list celebrities get up to in their spare time other then being in front of the paparazzi. A disadvantage of this is that audience cant give their feedback so it isn't interactive at all. This can lead to people getting bored easily and losing interest. Shows such as these do not give audiences the chance to interact with the stars. Hence why these shows can have people losing interest, which is a huge disadvantage.




Interactive

Interactivity welcomes engagement between interviewers/filmmakers and the subject. This enhances the entertainment as we are seeing the actual producer/filmmaker talk with the subject. This can either be very informative or show the audience a complete new meaning to a focus. This can be seen in the example of 'Point And Shoot'. This is a film about a man who was a living in America all his life with his middle class family and then when he hit adulthood he decided to go to as many Arab countries as possible and see how they operate in those specific countries.In this documentary it gives us an insight of a mans journey through the struggle of Libya's democratic crisis. He ventures forth into parts of the world the media don't show. Within this documentary/film it gives the audience a chance to take in what they're watching and develop their own opinion, this is obviously an advantage. This showed all of his reactions throughout his journey and the filmmaker kept up to pace with him through this journey so the audience could get a jist of how life was like for him and his emotional trip.




Reflexive

This helps the audience understand the process of the films production this helps them develop their own critical on it. It is when the director/producer of the documentary acknowledges their presence. This allows the audience to give their own perception of the documentary. It in effect engages the audience in further detail and enables the viewers to give their opinion. This can be seen in the example of 'Louis Theroux- crystal meth'. In this documentary Louis Theroux follows and goes around interviewing different people on their experiences and life choices. This enables the audience to develop an opinion and have their own critic on it. This engages the audience as going around getting first hand feedback is reliable and it shows what's coming from a person who actually had suffered. This also gives the audience a chance to understand the process of the films production.

Performative

This mode allows presenters to lead the narrative, becoming part of the story itself. Allows the presenter to show emotional responses as they happen, and ion effect engaging the viewer further.  It allows the producer to have their own opinion and get involved with the whole programme itself. This can further engage the audience as they are seeing both views and different information.