I feel that a documentary is a production that is intended for educational purposes. It can be used for classroom purposes, but it may lend its knowledge to anyone who wants to learn more on a specific topic. We have seen many different clips in class that have forced us to look at a topic more in-depth and create our own point of view on the subject. Basically any type of segment that is geared towards making people gain knowledge on a subject could be considered a documentary; reality shows, news stories, and the like can inform individuals on a subject they might not have previously been aware of or known much about. When looking at how documentaries have changed over time, you can see a clear difference with the media that is available for a particular time period.
When we watched “A Class Divided” we were watching a news special on an event that happened in the 1960’s. It has been a useful tool for everyone to learn about discrimination. That clip differs from some things that are available today. We have new ways to get media and watch a documentary. Internet sites, such as youtube.com, now allow people to watch and post documentaries. We now have a larger selection to choose from and a chance to add our comments. We in a sense become our own gatekeepers. People can choose to watch documentaries on television or on the internet and also what documentaries they want to watch. There is pretty much something for everyone. I had never really worked with youtube.com, so I was not completely sure of what all was out there, but if I found that if I need to search for a topic this site makes it much easier to find a documentary. I went to youtube.com and simply typed in “documentary” and found pages of documentaries from strange things such as, how to eat sushi all the way to more serious things like child abuse.
When I think of a documentary I think of a show that is focused on exposing something or educating people on a topic. It is very impressive when experts are used to reinforce this information and make it more credible. Upon watching some of the documentaries I was shocked to see some of the people who produced them. One guy sounded like he dropped out of school in the eighth grade, while others were produced by more credible sources such as PBS. I also find that feelings can be evoked by music in certain circumstances. If the documentary is on something that is sad, a slow song would add to the effect and make people feel how they people feel in the production. I personally do not find it mandatory to have a narrator, but it is helpful.
Documentaries could be produced by anyone, but it is up to the viewer to choose what they want to watch and if it is credible or not. I read on a website (http://www.indiewire.com/onthescene/onthescene_040702docs.html) that Morgan Spurlock used a definition from Webster’s dictionary while describing a documentary as, “A work, such as a film or television program, presenting political, social, or historical subject matter in a factual and informative manner and often consisting of actual news films or interviews accompanied by narration.” I feel that this definition is quite clear and concise as to what a documentary could fall under.
1 comment:
"Educational" films were also seen as "propaganda" when I was growing up-- selling the agenda of the Amercian Dental Association to brainwash me into flossing. Am I being too extreme here?
Take your definition now and work with your team members and their definitions to come to a compromise. Develop a meaningful, group definition of documentary. You'll want to identify the common elements and craft a team definition. This will guide your efforts for your project.
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