Bill Nichols

Bill Nichols is the theorist behind the idea of documentary modes. His work is referenced in the Component 3 documentary brief as a way to introduce the six modes of documentary.

When it becomes relevant

Nichols’ modes matter only if you take the documentary package for Component 3. The set brief you work on may be restricted to one option or left as a free choice — this will be confirmed in class.

If you do take the documentary brief, the modes are essential: the pitch-feedback stage asks “What mode would be most appropriate,” so you need to know the modes before you can pitch.

How the modes fit

The modes framework answers the core documentary research questions:

• What different kinds of documentaries are there?
• What is the purpose of a documentary?
• What is the audience for documentary?

One way into the same material is to categorise films from a published documentary list: What different categories are listed here? What stories get told? Whose stories get told?