Blog 8 reflexive mode

Reflexive mode documentaries have similar traits to that of the participatory mode in terms of realistic subject matter.  However, there is an important and distinguishable difference that Bill Nicholas brings to our attention; which is that instead of there being a negotiation between the filmmaker and the subjects there is in a negotiation with the filmmaker and the actual audience. 

In the documentary we watched about the Republican campaign we could see that it reflected a sense of realism especially when they tried to interview several people at a committee party.  Some would express their opinions; others would not even talk to them.  This documentary addressed several facts, opinions, and details about the campaign that helped the audience to better understand the issues that were happening at the time.  This helps to categorize it in a reflexive mode because Nicholas says that “reflexive documentary sets out to readjust the assumptions and expectations of its audience”.  It seemed that this documentary was made for this exact purpose; to portray to the audience what really was going on during the campaign in hopes to persuade the viewers to side with their opinions. 

I remember in class we spoke about the film “Cane Toads” in that it was interesting how that the film was about the cane toads and what they have brought to Australia.  However, we also discussed that the filmmaker seemed to be focused on the conditions that Australia in because of the cane toad.  This ties in with the characteristics of reflexive mode documentary because they try to persuade the viewer to understand what’s really happening in Australia.  They push their opinions to change from believing that the cane toad has helped Australia with their worm problem to the fact that instead the cane toad has actually replaced the worms and have now become the pest.

I watched part of a film on youtube called “Driving me Crazy” by a well known reflexive documentarian known as Nick Broomfield.  In this film he documents his journey in making a movie about a dance studio.  He does several interviews with people he works with and makes a good connection with the audience.  It was interesting because after watching part of the film I thought that the filmmakers were not just making a documentary, but trying to persuade the viewer (whoever it may be) to donate money so they could make the original documentary.  It is possible that they did this to show sponsors or other people that their idea was a good one which would then persuade them to give donations.  This in turn helps the documentary to fall under the category of reflexive mode in that the filmmakers connect with the audience to show that they need money.  This in turn reflects they true purpose for making this film in that they are trying to influence whoever watches this film to help donate to their original cause.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8CrLsa5Zf8