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Documentary

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Documentary has become omnipresent and complicated with the proliferation of personal recording devices. It's simple categorization is difficult as it bleeds into a number of different maker practices. Nevertheless, the documentary format is generally one concerned with documenting real people and events; and then organizing that material into a logical, storytelling format.

There are a number of potent usages for the documentary format. In particular, documentary is vital for a campaign or organization that involves a number of live events or direct actions in public space. The unexpected spontaneity, the sense of danger, and the energy of a public, political event are often inexpressible in words. So the documentary format allows a rich portrayal of the incidents and what it'd be like to be there. Moreover, the documentary format often involves interviews (either formal or on the street) which provide greater context and perspective to an event.

Among the groups, there is a range of varying types of documentary techniques from simple documentation to nuanced storytelling that involves fictional scenes as well as real-world footage. Coming Out of the Shadows is a classic example of a basic documentary structure. The one minute thirty second video immediately throws the audience into the action of the protest. The video then introduces one of the main organizers, who provides context through an interview, as the video develops an basic arch for the rest of the protest action. 



Invisible Children's Kony 2012 video on the other hand is extremely complex in its use of documentary video, found footage, personal media, digital illustrations, and staged protests. The effect is that it creates a complex series of rhetorical relationships that often jump from global to personal perspectives and across socio-cultural boundaries. Additionally, the staged youth protest near the end of the documentary borrows from music video techniques to inspire young audiences and provide them with an image of themselves if they decide to join the cause.

This page has paths:

  1. Browse by Maker Practices Karl Baumann

Contents of this tag:

  1. KONY 2012
  2. MOVE: Invisible Children's new film from the creators of KONY 2012
  3. THE CICADAS ARE COMING!
  4. Who is the LRA // Invisible Children
  5. Improv Everywhere: Video Trailer for Documentary
  6. 2013 Fourth Estate Summit (Invisible Children)
  7. Caine's Arcade
  8. Caine's Arcade 2: From a Movie to a Movement
  9. Iraq Veterans Against the War
  10. Inter-Occupy G.A., March 31, 2012
  11. Part 1 DC DREAM Act National Graduation
  12. No Justice No Peace: California's Battle Against Police Brutality & Racist Violence
  13. Urban Letters by Yarn Bombing Los Angeles
  14. A MOVEABLE MOSQUE - Deena's Footsteps Through Prayer
  15. Breakout, We Deserve Better
  16. Coming out of the Shadows - Dream Activist Philadelphia
  17. Why We Rise
  18. "The Drop In" (Raise Up Project)
  19. Ann Coulter Battles Stossel, Calls Libertarians 'Pussies,' And Gets Booed By Room Full Of Students
  20. Crisis of Distrust: Police and Community in Toronto
  21. KNIT THE CITY YARNSTORM LONDON BRIDGE
  22. KNIT THE CITY YARNSTORM ORANGES AND LEMONS - by ALT Artist™

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