Month: October 2018

Coles and Nichols discuss that a documentarian’s location is reflected through their voice. This is shown in Agents of Change as the creators developed the documentary with young people in mind, just as they once were when they protested. Their location is one with the intention to inspire young people to create change.

Nichols mentions that voice is more than just narration in a film, but rather the choices made to construct it.

This idea is shown through the creators of Agents of Change’s choices in the structure of their film. Their choice to include the protestor’s former, younger selves in the background of their interviews shows that their voice has not changed. Even as adults, they still believe that issues of racial inequality in education need to be combatted. They know that history tends to repeat itself, and that it is necessary to encourage the next generation to stand up for what’s right.

_________________________________________

pg. 91- a documentarian’s report will be strengthened by what’s witnessed…

• the agents of change creators were part of the action that they’re depicting in their film, makes their approach more specific and powerful. they are primary sources, they witnessed the event
• the creators absorbed sights and sounds that made the experience unique to them
• highlights sensory experience to be conveyed in the documentary- gunshots, yelling of protestors, newscasts
• the students were there, they are experts in what they experienced because they’re the ones who lived it

Style

One thing that I found interesting in Nichols’s article was when he mentioned that the voice of a documentary is not strictly limited to what is verbally said. Common literal voices found in documentaries are the narrator or authorities on the subject who are often not seen. Nichols mentions that “the voice of the documentary speaks with all the means available to its maker”. In this statement, Nichols is referring to the cutting, editing, and framing of the shots. In addition, he is referencing lighting, sound, clip chronology, and intention of the film. Nichols argues that all of these elements work together to create a voice for the film. I found this interesting because I was under the impression that the voice of a documentary was strictly the creator’s narration, or the obvious voice. I didn’t realize that it had so many deeper layers.

One concept that I discussed in my Stranger with a Camera essay was Barrett’s ability to depict both sides of the murder story due to her location. Barrett is both an insider and an outsider, because she is from Kentucky like Ison but is also a filmmaker like O’Connor. Therefore, Brett could relate to both parties in the conflict and as a result felt an obligation to give both sides equal attention and treat them with respect.

https://nyti.ms/2Fs08S4