The Art of Documentary

   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPavxiKKT2w
   A documentarian has to have a balance between reality and optimism. I guess a hope to see reality in a different light or to capture a different perspective. I don't think most of us are imaginative... that's a skill that some people have and some don't. But rather we rely on our surroundings and reality for our visions of art. I commend script writer because that's just one skill I don't have or fully have acquired yet. Documentarians also are more comfortable with mistakes and don't really have a problem with letting go of control because we want to get more unedited and raw footage. Ultimately we want our audience to connect or relate to our subjects. An actor a limit to relatebility, because everyone is aware that they are doing just that, acting. We only can relate to what we are familiar with and we are familiar with the real tears, the conflict, the mispronounced words, and the drama. 162
   Some documentarians take different styles when dealing with subjects. But it is always a physical and literal line when dealing with your subjects and believe me, the line is always moving. But as a film maker it is our position, to constantly stand on that line. Not to exceed our authority or to test the water but to maintain and be aware of what or subject is comfortable with. For example, most one on one conversations in documentaries are done with the camera facing the subject in a close up view. To position the camera about 3 feet away from our subject allows for them to be more comfortable with themselves and whatever they are saying. But to position that camera any closer than 3 feet is a violation of their privacy and space. That difference is prevalent when the subject is noticeably self conscious and starts to not give as much incite on what they were talking about.332
   It is also different things that a documentary must have to be considered good. Interview, audio, b roll, and true footage. We all know that a movie with someone just talking the whole time would not be too hot. These other elements, such as audio,b roll, and true footage adds another layer of interest in addition to your subject's interview. Audio is very important when considering what  appeals to people and what we like. But it is also important to have audio that actually matches with the dialogue. The audio must match the subjects feelings and emotions and the flow of what they are saying. B roll and true footage are similar, they are simply just new footage that describing what the subject is saying. B roll most often is photographs and true footage is something that is actually going on, well that is the best way to describe it. But over anything, a documentarian knows the importance of truth over factuality.