A documentary film is one of several creative modes, including narrative fiction and experimental avant-garde˳ Documentaries have a purpose, viewpoint and approach, and evolves from the formative process – as either scripted or spontaneous˳ Documentaries are limited to reality or actuality˳
Most of the production requirements for documentaries refer to the fact that there are no sets, actors are not used, and real people, not actors, play themselves˳
Documentaries have been credited thrpoughout history for having a huge impact on cultural meanings˳ Many film schools worldwide teach the art of documentary filmmaking˳ The schools and classes teach understanding the fundamental aesthetic tools of documentary filmmaking such as camera operation, sound, structure, and also the interview˳
Classes will often include exercises leading to the production of a documentary film project, so that the students can learn directing and producing skills as well as learn the various types of documentary˳
There are always issues that students as well as the teachers deal with in documentary filmmaking having to do with the development of ideas, preproduction and the actual production˳
the students in documentary film classes view segments of videos that represent major trends in the history of documentary film making˳ Usually there are guest film makers who lecture in the courses to mentor and provide supplementary education˳
Documentaries are a very challenging form of filmmaking, that often stir up controversies˳ Historically, the genre begins with the earliest films of the Lumière brothers known as ‘actuality films” – ending with the latest postmodern explorations˳ Classics include Flaherty, Grierson, Riefenstahl, Rouch, Vertov, and Wiseman, along with contemporary works˳ The documentary film course examines how shifts in social and political realities, changing technology, as well as the personalities and talents of individuals continually re-define what the term documentary means˳ Ethical as well as aesthetic issues are also of consideration˳
Documentaries often present challenges for cinematographers who usually must work alone or in small crews˳ They must learn how to capture beautifully-framed, meaningful footage during low budgeta and often chaotic circumstances that usually surround the film shoot˳ There’s typically an emphasis on shooting cinema verité and lighting with a very small crew˳ Some aspects of the digital camera are shared with students as they work˳
Documentary films are also a very popular art form˳ Awards shows have a place for documentaries and many are covered often by movie critics, as evidenced in as early as 1942, when there were four winners including: The Battle of Midway; Kokoda Front Line; Moscow Strikes Back; and Prelude to War˳ In 2009 a recent documentary film on military medicine – Fighting for Life is expected to win awards˳
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