Documentaries are a genre with high educational value and strong emotional depth. In modern broadcasting, documentaries are not only used as a medium for information but also as a tool for social and cultural advocacy. Therefore, S1 Digital Content Broadcasting students need to thoroughly understand what a documentary film is, its various types, and examples of documentaries that have significantly impacted society.
As part of the S1 Digital Content Broadcasting curriculum, documentary film production is essential training for building reality-based storytelling skills and technical abilities in processing factual and balanced audiovisual content. This article will explain the definition of documentary film, outline its types, and provide examples of documentaries worth referencing for learning.
What is a Documentary Film?
A documentary film is a form of audiovisual work that presents the realities of life factually, aiming to educate, inform, or invite viewers to understand a particular issue. Unlike fictional films, which use fabricated narratives and actors, documentaries feature real events, genuine individuals, and factual settings.
Characteristics of a documentary film:
- Based on reality
- Narrative is descriptive or explanatory
- Uses original footage, interviews, archives, and data
- Aims to provide insight, not merely entertainment
In an academic context, particularly in the S1 Digital Content Broadcasting major, students are encouraged to use documentary films as a medium for conveying social, cultural, economic, and even environmental messages with a strong and ethical cinematic approach.
Related LSI Keywords:
- reality cinematography
- factual narrative
- documentary production
- visual storytelling
- documentary ethics
Types of Documentary Films
Documentary films come in various types, depending on their narrative approach and purpose. Here are some widely recognized types of documentary films in the digital broadcasting industry:
1. Expository Documentary
This type conveys information directly to the audience through a verbal narration (voice-over) that explains the context of images or clips.
Key features:
- Narrator as the story guide
- Logical and informative structure
- Commonly used for educational and historical films
Example: The Civil War by Ken Burns
2. Observational Documentary
Also known as “fly on the wall,” this type attempts to capture events without the filmmaker’s intervention. Viewers are invited to observe real life as it unfolds.
Characteristics:
- No narrator
- Minimal intervention (no direct interviews)
- Records reality naturally and continuously
Example: Primary (1960) by Robert Drew
3. Participatory Documentary
In this documentary, the filmmaker is directly involved in the story, either as an interviewer, questioner, or even as a subject.
Characteristics:
- Interaction between the subject and the filmmaker
- Filmmaker appears on camera
- Typically used for exploring personal or social issues
Example: Super Size Me by Morgan Spurlock
4. Reflexive Documentary
This type explores the documentary filmmaking process itself. The focus is on showing that a documentary is not just a reflection of reality but also a construct by the filmmaker.
Main features:
- Critiques the documentation process
- Sometimes mixes elements of fiction and reality
- Suitable for film experimentation
Example: Man with a Movie Camera by Dziga Vertov
5. Performative Documentary
This documentary focuses on subjective experiences and emotional expression. It’s usually used to highlight personal experiences and minority perspectives.
Characteristics:
- Strong personal perspective
- Often touches on sensitive issues or identity
- Poetic or symbolic storytelling style
Example: Tongues Untied by Marlon Riggs
Examples of Documentary Films
Here are examples of well-known documentary films that can serve as references for S1 Digital Content Broadcasting students in understanding the form, techniques, and approaches in documentaries.
1. Before the Flood (2016)
- Topic: Global climate change
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio
- Type: Expository
- Value: Educates a global audience about the climate crisis with data and in-depth interviews.
2. The Act of Killing (2012)
- Topic: The 1965 genocide in Indonesia
- Director: Joshua Oppenheimer
- Type: Reflexive and performative
- Value: A unique approach to portraying historical perpetrators through reenactments of events.
3. 13th (2016)
- Topic: Racism and the prison system in the US
- Director: Ava DuVernay
- Type: Expository
- Value: A visually and politically powerful documentary.
4. Lima Puluh Tahun Gerakan Wanita (Fifty Years of Women’s Movement) (Indonesia)
- Topic: History of the women’s movement in Indonesia
- Type: Participatory and expository
- Value: A rich local reference with historical archives and interviews with prominent women figures.
The Importance of Documentaries for S1 Digital Content Broadcasting Students
In the world of digital content broadcasting, documentaries play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and voicing rarely exposed issues. S1 Digital Content Broadcasting students need to:
- Master techniques for capturing reality.
- Construct factual and balanced narratives.
- Deliver information in an engaging yet ethical manner.
- Understand the role of documentaries as a medium for advocacy and social change.
Additional LSI Keywords: non-fiction film, documentary directing, visual journalism, documentary content distribution.
Conclusion
Documentary films are a medium that not only conveys facts but also inspires awareness. S1 Digital Content Broadcasting students must understand the definition of documentary films, recognize various types of documentaries, and study examples of documentaries that can shape public opinion. Through this understanding, they will be able to create documentaries that are informative, inspiring, and have a real impact on society.
Join us in S1 Digital Content Broadcasting and enhance your digital literacy skills for a brighter future in the media industry! Enroll now and become part of the innovative generation of digital content creators.
General Requirements
- Graduates of SMA/SMK/MA/Equivalent.
- Possess copies of diplomas, academic transcripts, and certificates of national or international competition participation*.
- Possess a Diploma Equivalency Letter from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for applicants graduating from abroad or homeschooling. Click here for more information.
Registration Steps
- Find Information Regarding Telkom University New Student Admissions.
- Create an Account.
- Complete Personal Data.
- Complete Registration Data.
- Print Participant Card.
Selection Paths
Active Selection Paths for all D3 and S1 programs can be viewed on the following page:
https://smb.telkomuniversity.ac.id/jalur-seleksi/#diploma-sarjana
Tuition Fees
Telkom University has several tuition fee components for each study program:
- UP3 (Education Implementation Participation Fee): This is a development fee, paid only once at the beginning of registration.
- SDP2 (Regular Education Development Fund Contribution): This is a contribution fee, paid only once at the beginning of registration. The SDP2 fee is differentiated based on the selection path followed:
- Regular Path: All open selection paths other than the USM path.
- USM Path: Special Invitation Selection Partner (USM) path.
- BPP (Education Implementation Fee): This is the education fee paid each semester during lectures.
| Program Name | UP3 | SDP2 (General Path) | SDP2 (USM Path) | BPP/Semester |
| S1 Digital Content Broadcasting | Rp9.000.000 | Rp12.000.000 | Rp20.000.000 | Rp10.000.000 |
Author: Ariq Rai Aryandra
Directorate: Center for Information Technology
Tags: Documentary Film