What is a documentary?

Mass Comm Assignment
Definging The Documentary

What is a documentary? According to the Film Dictionary (Steve Blandford, Barry Keith Grant, and Jim Hillier) it's "(A)ny film practice that has as its subject persons, events, or situations that exist outside the film in the real world."

How should we describe a “documentary" for the group project in this course?” How are our interpretations defined? Can the documentary definition include reality television programming, experimental films, broadcast news stories, etc.? What is the purpose of a documentary? Who watches documentaries? This assignment requires you to add to the pictures in your head of what defines a documentary. Watch examples on Current TV. How is new media changing the genre? Explore resources available in Audio Visual Services. Reflect on the programs you have watched for this cluster. Consult the experts in this domain. Even consider professional organizations like the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Develop a new definition of a documentary in a brief paper due by the beginning of class on Tuesday, February 17 (BLOG ENTRY) or February 20 (paper). How should we define documentaries for this course? What elements should documentaries possess? What principles should guide us in analyzing such programs? Your paper must offer thoughtful, specific examples to back up your position. You should quote authorities and attribute your research. You can analyze a long format documentary or explore a number of shorter programs from online sources. Please consider elements such as narration (or lack of), point of view, use of music or how events and sequences are edited. You can refer to techniques and styles used by specific documentaries. Your paper or blog entry should present a thoughtful, well organized and sourced argument for what you define as a documentary.