What Are Dreams? - Documentary Review

I saw a Nova special on Dreams. As far as their documentary techniques, I noted that they relied a lot on auditory and visual stimulus. Almost the entirety of the piece had a voice over. I suppose some of that is because of the subject matter. You can't really 'interview' dreams. But you can interview specialists, and they did. They did a good job of picking charismatic scientists to speak, it can be painful to watch when someone has a stutter or a thick accent. Something that really inspired me was their exposition. I was completely hooked from the first minute. I think if they could keep that intensity the whole time though, it would be more effective. All in all, I learned a lot, but I think they could work on the entertainment factor of it.

 

The Crucial Place of Documentaries in Our Media Focused Society

Truth is a tricky thing. Ever played the game telephone? It gets warps pretty easily. The accurately and successfully tell the truth to a wide audience, you need the perfect medium. And after watching Documentary Filming Tips & Tricks: Camera Equipment - Filmmaking Tutorial 18 and Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary, I truly understand it. A documentary is the perfect medium to spread knowledge because each time someone sees it, it's unaltered. It stands the test of time. But, to make a documentary influential, it has to be good.
When I was making my own documentary, I really underestimated the importance of B-roll. Now, I see that it really completes the visual aspect of a documentary. It can emphasize what the subject is saying just as inspirational music can. Also, who would have ever thought that 'less is more' applies to equipment too? Your films feel more authentic with less equipment because your subject feels more at ease. I can't wait to try out what I've learned!