documentary-style
Mimicking nonfiction footage
Documentary-style describes something made to look like a documentary—using techniques such as handheld cameras, natural lighting, interviews, or unscripted moments to create an impression of authenticity.
The approach appears in fiction films, television comedies, and advertisements seeking a realistic or unpolished feel: The show uses documentary-style filming to make the workplace humor feel more immediate.
Naturalistic documentary approach
- handheldDesigned for palm use
- observationalBased on direct perception
- fly-on-the-wallUndetected observer status
- unscriptedNot pre-written
raw footage · talking heads · interviews · B-roll · voiceover · narration · archival · behind-the-scenes
Honest and direct
- unstagedNot theatrically presented
- reportageFactual news writing
- photojournalisticRelating to news photography
- street photographyUnposed images of public life
slice-of-life · unposed · spontaneous · editorial · storytelling · available light · decisive moment · authentic
Rough with particles
- shaky camIntentionally unsteady filming style
- found footageGenre mimicking discovered recordings
- mockumentarySatirical fake nonfiction film
- confessionalBooth for admitting sins
direct address · fourth wall · Parks and Rec · This Is Spinal Tap · realistic · gritty · lo-fi · unpolished
cinéma vérité
Naturalistic documentary approach
- handheldDesigned for palm use
- observationalBased on direct perception
- fly-on-the-wallUndetected observer status
unscripted · raw footage · talking heads · interviews · B-roll · voiceover · narration · archival · behind-the-scenes · candid
candid
Honest and direct
- unstagedNot theatrically presented
- reportageFactual news writing
- photojournalisticRelating to news photography
street photography · slice-of-life · unposed · spontaneous · editorial · storytelling · available light · decisive moment · authentic · unretouched
grainy
Rough with particles
- shaky camIntentionally unsteady filming style
- found footageGenre mimicking discovered recordings
- mockumentarySatirical fake nonfiction film
confessional · direct address · fourth wall · Parks and Rec · This Is Spinal Tap · realistic · gritty · lo-fi · unpolished · improvisational
documentary-stylescripted
Written out beforehand
narrative fiction · staged · fictional · theatrical · rehearsed
documentary-stylepolished
Smooth, refined, accomplished
cinematic · glossy · slick · stylized · high-gloss
documentary-stylefictional
Not real, invented
fantastical · fantasy · fictional narrative · make-believe · imaginary
documentary, style, document, documentation, documented, documenting, documents, stylish, stylishly