Media Series - TV
Context of Documentary


Media language - Pages 9-10
EDUQUAS

BFI’s Screen Online - DOCUMENTARY
‘Not so much a single genre as an umbrella of related programme types, each seeking to represent versions of reality. Documentary forms have evolved from the beginnings of cinema to contemporary so-called docu-soaps, which some people might not see as being 'documentary' at all. They are characterised by relatively “high modality”’
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/education/glossary.html


Steve Neale suggests that genres exist within particular contexts and develop through borrowing from other texts. What evidence is there for this?

Current trend for “true crime” and popularity and profitability of documentary; cinematic styling and techniques – link to Jarecki’s film “All Good Things”; crime drama conventions; HBO brand and house style; ‘Crimewatch’ (or ‘60 Minutes’) style re-enactment; director’s previous work and style – e.g. “Capturing the Friedmans”

How does “The Jinx” reflect contemporary ideologies and concerns? Give examples.

The notion of justice; “trial by television”; the power of the media; socio-political debates about class and the power of the rich; moral questions about the ethics of documentary-making in this way; ultimate restoration of order and truth – hegemonic values