Bill Nichols , author of Introduction to documentary explains how observational documentary de-emphasizes persuasion to give us a sense of what it is like to be in a given situation but without a sense of what it is like for the filmmaker to be there, too. Participatory documentary gives us a sense of what it is like for the filmmaker to be in a given situation and how that situation alters as a result.
Nichols defines an observational documentary as one that the filmmaker gives a sense of what it is like to observe the topic at hand rather then being active in front of the camera. As in letting social actors do as their own will without interrupting more of observing. Where as participatory the audience gets to see how the filmmaker reacts to given scenes. Even with their own personal experiences. The two modes are important because most documentary films choose one to illustrate their own ideas and choice of method for their film. In my essay I will be discussing which one I feel leads to stronger formed opinion from the audience.
I’m also doing a research paper which would include the mode participatory. Participatory as Nichols defined it, would mean the filmmaker will be apart or participate in their own film. On page 225 in Introduction to Documentary by Bill Nichols, it states “this participatory act of filming helped bring about the very sense of community”. I felt like that sentence in the book has helped me with being able to pinpoint exactly how I feel about the participatory mode and how it is used to conduct a certain outcome of a film. I stated in my proposal that participatory films might have a greater impact on the audience and maybe the film itself.
I do agree with you on both observatory and participatory modes being important because they are both able to help films portray the message they are trying to send out. The way the modes connect with audience will help the filmmakers know whether or not they used the right approach and mode. Maybe one mode could have resulted in the film being stronger than the other and specific points would be made out more clearer. With the observatory mode, letting social actors be unbothered by the camera or filmmaker and just to be observed, they will just continue to go about their day catching the realism of what the filmmaker is trying to film. Participatory films might ruin an important scene because the filmmaker could have changed a natural outtake and tried to turn it into something they don’t understand.