5 Modes of Representation
Bethan Thomas & Lorna Baines
“In documentary film, four modes of representation
stand out as the dominant organizational patterns
around which most texts are structured; expository,
observational, interactive and reflexive.”
Nichols, B. (1991) Representing reality: issues and concepts
in documentary. Indiana University Press. P.32.
“What does speaking for or on behalf of someone or
something entail in terms of a dual responsibility to
the subject of the film and to the audience whose
agreement is sought?”
Nichols, B. (1991) Representing reality: issues and concepts
in documentary. Indiana University Press. P.34.
“Interactive documentary stresses images of testimony
or verbal exchange and images of demonstration
(images that demonstrate the validity, or possibly, the
doubtfulness, of what witnesses state.”
Nichols, B. (1991) Representing reality: issues and concepts
in documentary. Indiana University Press. P.44.
“Textual authority shifts towards the social actors
recruited: their comments and responses provide a
central part of the film’s argument.”
Nichols, B. (1991) Representing reality: issues and concepts
in documentary. Indiana University Press. P.44.
Do you think ‘Capturing the Friedmans’ fits more
specifically into any of the other modes? Compared to
the 2 we have outlined.
Do you disagree with our view?