Nickels mode of Documentary

Realism:

Realism is when the actual documentary is filmed with a camera usually hand-held and they film actual footage, they could also have interviews who are involved in the topic/issue. This gives the audience a sense of realism as there is only raw footage and so it makes it realistic as there are no editing or extra things happening in the background. This will mean that the documentary is realistic as there are no secondary information and so it would be reliable as there is only a primary source of information. An example of this is in the video below, as it has raw footage and interviews who were involved in the documentary.

Dramatisation:

This is when effects are used to create drama and to try and influence the audience. They usually have voice-overs to say things that they have recorded afterwards. They will most probably use enactments as they will not have the raw footage from the actuals scene so they will have to re-act the scenes with actors to give the audience a more in-depth look at the topic. They will also add in sounds or music to make the documentary more engaging with the viewer, this will also add more depth into the documentary as the music can provide more emotion and help the audience understand the context of the topic. An example of this is in the video below as it has special effects to try and engage the audience more.

Narrativisation:


This is when there is a story created within the documentary. This is used to get the audience to be more engaged within the documentary as it follows a narrative structure so they will wait for the climax of the documentary with the build up that that it has to engage the audience slowly into the documentary and so create almost a 'movie' for them to enjoy, but with actual facts and information to be given to the audience it allows for an engaging yet informative experience for the audience and so if an effective way of getting an audience to watch and enjoy a documentary.

Expository:

This is when the whole documentary is done with a voice over, with a authoritative voice to try and influence the audience to try and recognise or follow what the documentary is trying to teach them, this in return causes the audience to feel under pressure and so be more  accepting, this is also referred to as 'voice of god' as there is a voice that speaks directly to the audience to manipulate them into thinking in a specific way. An example of this in wildlife documentaries with a voice over to try and teach the audience about the wildlife and how they act etc. Another form of communicating with the audience will to work as well in these type of documentaries.

Observational:

This is when the documentary is shown from a viewpoint that is not directly involved in the documentary, this is forma  'spectator' view, so they just follow the subjects or topic and give information in ti without actually being involved. this gives the audience more room to develop their own ideas and allows to them to have their own idea about the topic as they are not being influenced by anything so that they are free in their choice, this then has a benefit to the audience as they can do what they like at the end of the documentary and it allows for a more low-key approach to an issue.

Interactive:

This is when the maker/producer of the film is usually in the frame of the camera, and is actively interviewing or actively taking part in the documentary, this gives the audience a opinion as they can see that the film maker is involved and it can engage them by seeing  more activities and its not just on the sideline as they are actively having a role in the film meaning that they are a part of it, so the audience can relate and feel to them as they are more likely to see and feel how the film maker is and so this gives them a rough idea of what their opinion on the topic is going to be.

Reflexive:

This is when the producer acknowledge their presence within the documentary, this is when they are actively in front of the camera. This in return allows the audience to understand how the film is produced and the stages they go through, so that they can develop their own idea about it, and give their opinions on the topic the documentary is covering. The advantage of this is that it is similiar to interactive documentary's so it is more engaging to the viewer as the film maker is in the documentary as well.

Performative:

This is when the presenter leads his own documentary and pushes forward the narrative becoming a part of the story itself. Allows the producer to have their opinion and be a part of it and have responses to certain events, and so this engages the audience further as in reflexive and interactive documentary's.