Research: Theorists

Theories surrounding Documentaries... 

MICHAEL RABIGER- click here for a link to the source.

He  looked into the features of a documentary and here are some listed: He also wrote a book which is sourced as an image below (the Documentary, Sixth Edition), it focuses in on how to construct a documentary and is very useful for somebody studying this concept.

Have interesting characters, who are trying to achieve something

Develop knowledge of a character or situation

Are not objective (they are subjective)

Include contextual information

Convey person, critical perspective on human condition

Contain dramatic suspense and makes the audience judge/anticipate/wonder/despair

Show confrontation between two opposing forces with climax and resolution

JOHN GRIERSON- click here for a link to the source

1. Grierson’s major contribution to  the  future of  the  documentary was made as a producer whose enthusiasm could convince governments and industry of the value of sponsoring films that would make people more aware of social issues.
2. He established the National Film Board  of Canada in 1939.
3. Grierson called the documentary the “creative treatment of actuality.”
4. Although Grierson often stressed the social objectives of the documentary rather than its aesthetics
5. Grierson’s documentaries established the classical style in which the images are subservient to a verbal argument that has been scripted in advance. The speaker is apparently omniscient and remains off screen.