The start

We had our first 'proper' seminar today where we were introduced to our first topic of the course; Documentary and experimental approach to Documentary. 


As a group we first sat down and recorded what we thought was the definition of doctumentaries.
These are what we came up with;

• Minimalist- It focuses on content rather than on the style
• It focuses on a context of time and place
• Informative
• Re-inactments, both dramatic and digital, tend to occur in a lot of documentaries
• They're, in some ways, used as archives as a visual record of things that most people wouldn't be able to see with their own eyes, and for future generations to see
• It takes a rather realist form
• They are based on the perception/ presented as facts rather than fiction
• They use a variety of styles
• Interview footage is often used

Once what had our list we watched several short documentaries with 7 questions in mind;

1. Identify the themes of the film, what is the director's aim?
2. Describe what you think the main focus of the film is?
3. Did you like or dislike the film and why?
4. Was the film successful or not in dealing with its subject matter and why?
5. Was there an element in the film that particularly stood out to you?
6. How does the films form (structure and style) relate to its content (Theme and subject matter)?
7. Discuss 2 techniques used in the film which you find interesting. Why do you think it used this approach?