Hellen Session

What is factual programming?
-Factual is the over-arching term for non fiction programming and filmmaking,
-There are  many varied genres, devices and formats within factual filmmaking.
-Each have their own conventions (habits/ clichés in style/ format/ delivery/ content/ edit...)
-Fictional and factual programmes share the same formulas.
-ALL films- fictional and factual- are constructed to some degree. i.e. whether it is in the pre, production of post production stages- human intervention in unavoidable.
-How is REALITY and TRUTH treated (Representation).
-Different genres of factual programmes, in particular documentary films, involve different degrees of intervention.


Truth and controversy:
-In 2007 the BBC's reputation was seriously damaged by revelations of 'fakery', faked competition winners 'Blue Peter' in particular.
-2016, Human Planet accused of faking parts.


Notionally, the degree of 'accepted intervention is as follows:
Least:
-Verite- Observational- News
-Reality TV- Science- Documentary Soap
-Factual Entertainment- Wildlife- History
-Drama Documentary- Mockumentary
Most:


'Hidden Kingdoms''


Fcatual Genres
Factual Programmes can be divided into a number of genres:
-Current Affairs
-News
-Documentaries


Current Affairs
Current affairs programmes take an in depth look at the current issues of the time:
-Investigative
-Consumer
-Political
-Often reporter led and deal with weighty subjects with a harder news edge.
-They have a less observational feel to them and are more obviously constructed.
-Relies more on journalism and less on character and actuality.


documentaries Defined...
Definition:
-The term has evolved over the many years since cinema began and covers many sub genres.
-Loosely can be describe as 'Artistic Represenattion of Actuality'.


Why do we make documentaries?
-Documentaries speak about or allow others to speak for themselves. The documentary filmmaker often acts as a representative of the public.
-Voyeurism- inevitable documentaries have elements of voyeurism. A question often posed is whether a piece of film is 'in the public interset' in justifying the intrusuion documentaries make into peoples lives.
-Documentaries provide a particular view, interpretation or understanding of the evidence.


Other mutations of the genre.
-Poetic
-Expository
-Educational
-Observational
-Reflexive documentaries
-Participatory
-Performative


-Drama Documentary
-Documentary Soap
-Reality TV
-Factual Entertainment
-Structured/ Scripted Reality
-Multi Camera Observational


Factual Formats:
-Multi Camera Observational
-Presenter/ Reporter Led


Conventions
-Style- shooting and editing- different factual genres utilise different conventions in germs of style.
-structure
-Format
-Shots.
-Narrator/ Voice of God
-Music- e.g. Classical Music- 'serious' film.
-Experts- used to add 'intellectual weight'.
-Conventions are often subject of satire- exposing the established methods by which stories are told but possibly also limited.


Factual Devices:
-Particularly types of factual programme rely on particular storytelling devices.
-These various formats become established methods available to maker of factual programmes.
-For example, engineering 'TENSION' is a common technique. By bringing together, through careful casting, opposites a film gains tension. This allows LIGHT AND SHADE to come through the film.


-Funding and Truth:
-How and by whom factual films are funded ahs an important impact upon their style, content and their viewpoint.
-Truth, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Who pays the bills will have an important impact upon who a film casts as villain or hero.
-Documentaries can be used for propaganda purposes e.g. 'Triumph of the Will' (1935)- Nazi Germany.


Subject/ Content of Documentary:
-Wildlife
-Science
-History
-Health
-Social Affairs.


Purpose of Factual Programmes:
-Revelation
-Entertainment
-Storytelling- Portrayal of 'REAL' life- portray and convey this as accurately as possible.
-Style and Content- ALWAYS CONTENT OVER STYLE.