Assessment 2
Australian Film Essay
Topic 2
KPB205 Approaches to Contemporary Documentary
Semester 2 2015
Name: Dermot McNamara
Student Number: n9161988
Due Date: 16th October, 2015
Introduction
Since one of the first documentary or non-fiction narrative films in 1922, innovation has dominated this area of filmmaking becoming immeasurable just how much it has changed. Film theorists such as Bill Nichols, continue to push the boundaries of documentary filmmaking with pioneering work such as the contemporary study of documentary. Living in this contemporary era of documentary filmmaking, where boundaries appear non existent, it is believed that documentary is no longer able to make any protected claims on portraying …show more content…
The little Japanese town of Taiji is a little town with a huge secret. The documentary follows Richard O’barry, an ex dolphin catcher and trainer, a man who's whole view on dolphins kept in captivity changed after one of his dolphins committed suicide right in his very arms (imdb.com, n.d.). Now one of the worlds leading advocates against mammals in captivity, Richard along with the help of director Psihoyus, attempts to expose the cruel acts in Taiji where wild dolphins are routinely gathered together, confined and slaughtered for meat or captured for live …show more content…
Hollywood Reporter Marisa stated “It was was revealed that several of Grylls’ escapades of derring-do were enhanced or staged and that Grylls spent nights in motels while he was purportedly left alone to fend for himself on a deserted island” (Guthrie, 2012). Channel 4 responded to allegations with “the show is not a documentary, but a how-to guide to basic survival techniques in extreme environments” (Channel 4, 2007). With these allegations, it is important remember that this is how reality TV or informative TV differs from documentary. Grylls would never fail, always obtain the required equipment, never get injured and mistakes would always be covered up through editing. Grylls' show is simply scripted reality television representing very little truth. Reality television tends to create a false sense of truth, whilst documentary tends to manipulate the stories to create a truthful yet one sided
Australian Film Essay
Topic 2
KPB205 Approaches to Contemporary Documentary
Semester 2 2015
Name: Dermot McNamara
Student Number: n9161988
Due Date: 16th October, 2015
Introduction
Since one of the first documentary or non-fiction narrative films in 1922, innovation has dominated this area of filmmaking becoming immeasurable just how much it has changed. Film theorists such as Bill Nichols, continue to push the boundaries of documentary filmmaking with pioneering work such as the contemporary study of documentary. Living in this contemporary era of documentary filmmaking, where boundaries appear non existent, it is believed that documentary is no longer able to make any protected claims on portraying …show more content…
The little Japanese town of Taiji is a little town with a huge secret. The documentary follows Richard O’barry, an ex dolphin catcher and trainer, a man who's whole view on dolphins kept in captivity changed after one of his dolphins committed suicide right in his very arms (imdb.com, n.d.). Now one of the worlds leading advocates against mammals in captivity, Richard along with the help of director Psihoyus, attempts to expose the cruel acts in Taiji where wild dolphins are routinely gathered together, confined and slaughtered for meat or captured for live …show more content…
Hollywood Reporter Marisa stated “It was was revealed that several of Grylls’ escapades of derring-do were enhanced or staged and that Grylls spent nights in motels while he was purportedly left alone to fend for himself on a deserted island” (Guthrie, 2012). Channel 4 responded to allegations with “the show is not a documentary, but a how-to guide to basic survival techniques in extreme environments” (Channel 4, 2007). With these allegations, it is important remember that this is how reality TV or informative TV differs from documentary. Grylls would never fail, always obtain the required equipment, never get injured and mistakes would always be covered up through editing. Grylls' show is simply scripted reality television representing very little truth. Reality television tends to create a false sense of truth, whilst documentary tends to manipulate the stories to create a truthful yet one sided