Offshoots
Not all films based on true events and stories are truthful. Documentary filmmakers show and tell the truth, but they use dramatic editing and other effects to sway audiences. Similarly, narrative film directors may use archival footage to lend credibility to their stories. Here are some ways in which the lines between truth and fiction become blurred. You might want to take note of crossover styles and techniques while you're watching documentaries or narrative films.
Documentary Film Offshoot Genres
Not all films based on true stories are truthful. While documentary films are obliged to show and tell the truth, some documentary and narrative feature genres may overlap in style. Documentary filmmakers use dramatic editing to sway audiences, and narrative directors use archival footage to lend credibility to the stories they're telling. Here are some crossover elements to look for.
Not all films based on true stories are truthful. While documentary films are obliged to show and tell the truth, some documentary and narrative feature genres may overlap in style. Documentary filmmakers use dramatic editing to sway audiences, and narrative directors use archival footage to lend credibility to the stories they're telling. Here are some crossover elements to look for.
When Real Stories Become Reel Stories
When narrative features are based on actual events, filmmakers may use documentary techniques and styles to make their footage seem archival. How do you know what elements of the film are true, and where filmmakers have taken creative license? The lively discussion on this site will put you in the know.
When narrative features are based on actual events, filmmakers may use documentary techniques and styles to make their footage seem archival. How do you know what elements of the film are true, and where filmmakers have taken creative license? The lively discussion on this site will put you in the know.
Docudramas
The docudramas are fact-based re-enactment of real events in which actors portray real life subjects as they would play characters in realistic theater pieces or narrative features. Thus, events may be represented exactly as they occurred, but docudramas are not considered to be documentaries--although some documentaries do use re-enactments.
The docudramas are fact-based re-enactment of real events in which actors portray real life subjects as they would play characters in realistic theater pieces or narrative features. Thus, events may be represented exactly as they occurred, but docudramas are not considered to be documentaries--although some documentaries do use re-enactments.
Mockumentaries
Mockumentaries are faux documentaries in which doc subjects and style may be parodied or satirized for comedic effect, or they may be used seriously as a means to present an alternative view about problematic political, social and cultural situations. You'll find lists of comedic and serious mockumentaries here.
Mockumentaries are faux documentaries in which doc subjects and style may be parodied or satirized for comedic effect, or they may be used seriously as a means to present an alternative view about problematic political, social and cultural situations. You'll find lists of comedic and serious mockumentaries here.
TV's Blurred Reality
Are reality TV and documentary film related? What do you think? Reality Blurred, the Web site which chronicles TV reality shows and documentary films, provides news updates, smart articles and lively debate that will help you figure it out.
Are reality TV and documentary film related? What do you think? Reality Blurred, the Web site which chronicles TV reality shows and documentary films, provides news updates, smart articles and lively debate that will help you figure it out.