An elective that really only won out because I didn’t want to SWF a friend has turned up some unexpected good luck. True Lies (which is a great subject, 10/10 would recommend even at the risk of creeping out a new friend) introduces Bill Nichol’s documentary mode theory, which I learnt is as useful for radio documentary as it is for TV and film. I thought I’d refresh my memory on each mode…

Expository
Traditional, ‘voice of God’ documentary, which addresses the viewer directly to advance a point of view
eg: Night Mail

Observational
Attempt to observe without influencing the ‘social actors’. Forwarded by technological innovation (handheld cameras, microphones etc)
eg: Don’t Look Back

Poetic
Examines relationships and patterns by sacrificing cinematic conventions
eg: Berlin: Symphony of a City

Participatory
Involves the filmmaker through interviews and other interaction with the social actors
eg: Louis Theroux

Reflexive
Calls on audience to challenge their views and accepted ‘truths’ in filmmaking and in the world (self-conscious and self-questioning)
eg: Man with a Movie Camera 

Performative
Emphasises subjective elements / how knowledge can be expressed to elicit an emotional response (rather than the facts of an event)
eg: Michael Moore

These modes can overlap and it can be difficult to box one piece of media or a media maker into a single mode.