Documentaries capture reality through creative storytelling, focusing on real people and issues. They inform and inspire audiences with true stories, exploring social, political, and cultural topics while giving voice to underrepresented perspectives.

Documentaries share principles with journalism, like truth-telling and accuracy. However, they differ in approach. Documentaries take a longer view, exploring issues in depth, while journalism focuses on timely news and current events.

Defining Documentary

Key Characteristics of Documentary Films

• Documentary films are non-fiction works that aim to capture and represent reality, focusing on real people, events, and issues
• Documentaries employ a creative treatment of actuality, using cinematic techniques to shape and present factual content in an engaging and meaningful way
• Factual storytelling lies at the heart of documentary filmmaking, with the goal of informing, educating, and inspiring audiences through true stories and authentic experiences
• Documentaries often explore social, political, cultural, and historical topics, shedding light on important issues and giving voice to underrepresented perspectives (civil rights, environmental conservation)

Distinguishing Documentary from Fiction

• Unlike fictional films, documentaries are grounded in reality and do not rely on invented characters, scripted dialogue, or fabricated plot points
• Documentaries may employ elements of storytelling and narrative structure, but these techniques serve to illuminate and contextualize real-world subject matter rather than create a purely imaginary world
• While fictional films prioritize entertainment and escapism, documentaries seek to engage viewers with the truth and complexity of the world around them, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse experiences and perspectives
• Documentaries often incorporate interviews, archival footage, and observational footage to provide evidence and authenticity, whereas fictional films rely on performances, sets, and special effects to create their illusions

Documentary and Journalism

Shared Principles and Practices

• Documentary and journalism share a commitment to truth-telling, accuracy, and fairness in their reporting and representation of real-world events and issues
• Both fields rely on thorough research, fact-checking, and the gathering of reliable sources and evidence to support their claims and narratives
• Objectivity is a key principle in journalism, with reporters striving to present balanced and unbiased accounts of news and events, while documentarians may also aim for impartiality in their approach to their subjects
• Ethical considerations are paramount in both documentary and journalism, with practitioners adhering to codes of conduct and standards of integrity to ensure responsible and transparent storytelling (protecting vulnerable sources, avoiding exploitation)

Divergent Approaches and Goals

• While journalism typically focuses on timely, breaking news and current events, documentaries often take a longer view, exploring issues and stories in greater depth and detail over an extended period
• Journalists generally aim to maintain a strict separation between facts and opinions, whereas documentary filmmakers may incorporate elements of subjectivity and personal perspective to enrich their storytelling and connect with audiences on an emotional level
• Documentaries have more flexibility in their creative choices and artistic expression, using cinematography, editing, and sound design to shape the viewer's experience and convey meaning, while journalism prioritizes clarity, concision, and adherence to established formats and styles
• The ultimate goals of documentary and journalism may differ, with journalism primarily serving to inform the public and hold power to account, while documentaries may also seek to inspire social change, foster empathy, and promote understanding across diverse communities and cultures (investigative reporting, advocacy documentaries)