Documentary Categories

Within the documentary genre, there are several different modes (as defined by Nichols) which depict the way in which a documentary is made. I would describe documentary as the filmmakers version of the truth, even if it appears fly on the wall, the footage is edited which shapes a viewpoint that may be different from the actual truth.


Fly On the wall would be the Observational Mode. This is where viewers are left to make their own decisions, it appears to record information as it is, however you still only see the footage the film maker wants you to see and it is edited together to create some sort of viewpoint, although this is less obvious than other modes.

Asif Kapadia- Director of 'Senna' (2010) and 'Amy' (2015)

The Expository Mode is when a documentary is about an argument, when it is exposing something. It is often associated with talking heads (Interviews) and the voice of God (Narration). This is very commonly used within documentary.


Some documentaries however, or within certain scenes, subvert the usually realistic feel of a documentary and become some what experimental pushing the focus over to the visuals. This is known as the Poetic Mode.


Filmmakers such as Broomfield are often categorised in the Participatory Mode. This is when the filmmaker takes part and there is interaction between them and their subject. For example in 'Kurt and Courtney' (1998, Broomfield) There is barely a scene where Broomfield and his Boom mic cannot be seen. I personally favour this style as it allows you to follow the directors exploration of his subject matter, adding for me an extra level of excitement.

Nick Broomfield and his boom

Mockumentaries also have a category know as the Reflexive Mode. Included under this are also films in which you watch the director make the documentary.


The Performative mode is when you see the filmmakers point of view or opinion, however it can be argued that all documentaries do this as the director only shoots and edits the footage they want you to see, thereby allowing them to shape your opinion to a certain extent.


Finally There are Drama/Doc's. These are reconstructions (often used for period documentaries) that recreate something however this is flagged up so the viewer knows that it is not 'real footage'.


Despite being categorised, it is highly unlikely that a documentary will fall into just one of these categories, often they are a mix of at least two or more, or contain scenes that subvert the predominant mode.