Idéia, imagens e sons: caminhos para a estruturação de um documentário

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the construction of a documentary film or video. The diversity of documentary forms in Brazil and abroad makes it clear that there is no fixed rules for its production. However there are commonalities among the production of documentaries that helps to define its characteristics as a genre. This dissertation explores definitions for the genre; the creation processes, theme fields, rethoric resources, structuring paths and some recurring procedures. Firstly we discuss the world view of documentaries (Aufderheide, Barnouw, Da-Rin, Ellis, Grierson, Nichols) as well singularities in the Brazilian experience (Bernardet, Lins e Mesquita). Then we discuss the documentary production processes (Salles, Bernard, Cousins and Macdonald, Lins). Then the author presents his own methodology, from his teaching experience. It start from the interests of the producer, and his motivation. The authorship is then discussed, as a way to prevent producers from falling into the myth of neutrality. Possible images and sound resources are reminded as an attempt to open up creative possibilities. Some structures are suggested so that one can evaluate the production efforts. Procedures are pointed out to help producers to think audiovisually, both in the conception and in the editing the documentary. References for teaching are Rabiger, Rosenthal, Bernard