Intro to Documentary Response

Documentary, as a genre, is a simple enough concept to grasp. But the way in which a story is documented is no different in this genre than when it is being created from scratch. The variety of methods available when recording actual event have a profound effect on how they are viewed by the audience. For instance, a simple and short documentary, Toxic Toys looks at a small business dealing with a problem in their industry that put their customers at risk. The set up is simple, with only one interview, in the store, merchandise surrounding the speaker. The close, personal nature helps create this atmosphere of trust. Most documentaries include these interviews, they are the bread and butter of news stations that go to the streets and catch action as it's happening, but it is still just one way in which a documentary is made. In the internet savvy, graphic art inspired modern world, a different approach might be more fitting. The Innovation of Loneliness addresses the effects of our social media consumed world in a way those consumed with social media would be drawn to. The target audience is likely to respond more favorably to the bright colors and fun infographics that older viewers who would take less interest in the subject to begin with. I just find it completely astounding the manner in which the  least 'Hollywood' genre in film can still be glamorous and tell a damn good story. That being said, documentaries that try to take on Hollywood are in a different grouping entirely. March of the for Penguins, for example, take a big name narrator and presents the lives of these arctic birds so melodramatically as to be somewhat of drama. Compare this to the much less popular documentaries not released nationwide in theaters where there lacks this overt attempt to depict the animals as if they were characters on a primetime tv show vying for love and riches. I think from this more commercial form blossomed mockumentaries which have the great aspects of both words while allowing for greater creativity of the filmmakers' part.