Post on 26-Jun-2015
Rhetoric in Documentary
Film
Great thanks to Andy Carvin
(andycarvin.com)
What is a Documentary?
A filmed production that uses footage of real events, interviews, animation, and other film techniques to either
inform or persuade about a nonfiction subject.
Things to think about
•The Tease
•The Body
•The Conclusion
Story Structure
Tease: Establishing shot of U Street, montage of activity; Why is its history relevant today?
Body: History of U Street; archival footage from library, old postcards; jazz and civil rights; interviews w/ community members, parents, grandparents; recent trends
Conclusion: What does the future hold?
A-Roll
B-Roll
Image Credit:
Grunt.com
Why?
Narration
“Voice of God”
Establishing Shots
Transitions
Transtions
• Cut: simplest transition from one shot to the next, usually in same location and time frame
• Dissolve: graduate transition where shots overlap; often used to show change in location/time
• Wipe: special effect transition where one scene seems to "wipe away" the other scene
• Fade to Black: Scene literally goes black;end of chapter or story
Transitions
Point of View
• What is the purpose of this documentary?
• Is the mode persuasive or informative?
• How do the choices the filmmaker makes reflect bias or intent?
Credits:
• Image Credit: Grunt.com
• Image Credit: Warhistorian.com
• Image Credit: www.film.dc.gov