Criticisms of Bill Nichols

POST 6 Modes of documentaries

OLIVIA COTTERELL
 BILL NICHOLS (2001)

Bill Nichols (2001) created a theory called modes of documentary. This included 6 different types
of documentaries:

- Poetic mode
- Expository mode
- Reflexive mode
- Observational mode
- Participatory mode
- Performative mode

Bill Nichols (2001) himself states that there arent just 6 types of documentaries, but it is a
starting point. They can serve valuably as a catalyst to reflect on the documentary genre.
There are many different elements to documentaries so Nichols tried to categorise them
together.
 STELLA BRUZZIS CRITICIZM
Stella Bruzzi criticised Nichols for suggesting that documentary makes
have aimed for the perfect representation of the real but would
never achieve this as it is an impossible aim. As Nichols created his
theory in 2001, at lot has evolved and changed since then in the
industry, especially technology.
So how can we still use just 6 modes?
Anyone can make a documentary these days with a basic camera and
not a lot of skill either.
Also bill Nichols modes also do is exclude some classes of people
which also limits target audiences as well.
JOHN GRIERSON (1930)

John Grierson states You photograph the natural life, but you also, by your
juxtaposition of detail, create an interpretation of it.
- He came up with the documentary theory the creativity of actuality.
- Griersons documentary's have been based on facts so people wonder how
much creativity should be allowed in a documentary
TONI DE BROMHEAD

Audiences state that if you want to read a book about

narrative modes in documentary written by a real
filmmaker, then once you have read Nichols (and you need
to read it first because this book is in part a response to
Nichols) then read Looking Two Ways by Toni de
Bromhead. She takes a look at the modes debate by
analysing documentary in relation to the narrative
structures adopted by the filmmakers. People find it much
more informative if you want to understand how
documentary constructs meaning and its relationship with
its audience.
Today, there is a lot more technology and theories to do
with documentaries so some audiences find Nichols
theory a bit out dated and quite vague in many ways. Toni
de Bromhead looks into these modes in relation to
narrative structures and makes things slightly more clear
and modern to the audience.
STEVEN BARRET - DISNEYFICATION

Steven Barret has a theory about television and its needs to broadcast things that get
ratings instead of serious documentaries and to also inform and teach the public
about major events in history and the future. He believes that documentaries have
been dumbed down for audiences since this is what people have become used to.
There are claims that show that television seems to be cheap and being more
concerned about getting ratings instead of showing useful and interesting
documentaries.