1. Assignment 10:
Purpose, Inspiration &
Mode Theory
Laura Cuk

2. What is the purpose of the documentary?
The purpose of this documentary is to:
• Teach them facts that they didn’t already know
• Inform people of the impact of animal abuse
• Make them aware of the topic
What would people learn about?
People will learn about:
• Animal abuse – the different types.
• The positive and negative debate on this topic.
• Why does it still exist, and which countries still allow it.
Purpose?

3. Inspiration
How did other documentaries inspire me?
Attenborough’s Ark
In this documentary from David
Attenborough, he explored all the 10
different animals that were facing extinction.
Forms:
Background music
Voiceover
Handheld camera movement
Conventions:
Expert interviews
Animation
Supporting footage
I like the way Attenborough
uses participatory mode
and involves himself in the
subject.

4. Inspiration
How did other documentaries inspire me?
The X Games: The Movie
Forms:
Voiceover
Non diegetic background music
Credits
Conventions:
Animation
Expert interviews
I like the way the
presenter had loads
of expert interviews
with famous people.

5. Inspiration
How did other documentaries inspire me?
The End of the Line
Forms:
Non diegetic background music
Voiceover
Cutaways
Conventions:
Statistics, graphs and diagrams
Archival footage
Expert interviews
I like the fact that the
documentary uses the
convention of statistics
because it is hard hitting
and I would really want to
use that in my documentary
topic.

6. Inspiration
How did other documentaries inspire me?
Shelter Me
Forms:
Voiceovers
Non diegetic music
Titles and credits
Conventions:
Presenter and also a narrator
I like the way the documentary
uses the background music,
because the song was made for
the film and relates to the topic.
I like this documentary
because it relates to my
topic and has given me
ideas on how I can do
mine.

7. Mode Theory
Mode Conventions & examples Explanation of how it applies to
your documentary
Expository mode
(voice of God)
Narrator to address the
audience directly to present
E.g. Blue Planet
I will be using a presenter who will
address the audience directly.
Participatory mode
(filmmaker and
subject together)
Direct engagement with
both filmmaker and the
subject.
E.g. Bowling for Columbine
I would like the presenter to be a
participant in the documentary
Performer Mode
(filmmaker as
participant)
Emphasises emotional and
social impact on the
audience
E.g.
It relates to my topic and the
filmmaker will be participating in
my documentary.