The Geo-Doc

Geomedia, Documentary Film, and Social Change

verfasst von: Dr. Mark Terry

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Palgrave Studies in Media and Environmental Communication

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book introduces a new form of documentary film: the Geo-Doc, designed to maximize the influential power of the documentary film as an agent of social change. By combining the proven methods and approaches as evidenced through historical, theoretical, digital, and ecocritical investigations with the unique affordances of Geographic Information System technology, a dynamic new documentary form emerges, one tested in the field with the United Nations. This book begins with an overview of the history of the documentary film with attention given to how it evolved as an instrument of social change. It examines theories surrounding mobilizing the documentary film as a communication tool between filmmakers and policymakers. Ecocinema and its semiotic storytelling techniques are also explored for their unique approaches in audience engagement. The proven methods identified throughout the book are combined with the spatial and temporal affordances provided by GIS technology to create the Geo-Doc, a new tool for the activist documentarian.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

Is the documentary film an effective and reliable communications tool for the social activist? It has often been used this way with varying results. This book will trace the history of the documentary film as an instrument of social change from its origins as non-fiction film in 1895 to the present detailing the users of the medium and their respective methods of production designed to influence those empowered to enact change. A parallel investigation into new digital technologies and affordances, particularly in the field of geomedia, will propose a new approach to documentary film production and presentation intended to augment its ability to inform and influence progressive social change.

Mark Terry

Chapter 2. Farming the Tools of Persuasion

Abstract

Tracing the origins of the documentary from its birth as a non-fiction film medium in 1895 to its use by the Government of Canada as an influential promotional tool to stimulate immigration, the documentary film is examined closely in these early years to explore its evolution as an instrument of social change. With particular focus on the Canadian experience, this chapter chronologically details its first use by a Manitoba farmer in 1897 and how his modest “home movies” inspired government agencies and corporate entities to establish production divisions serving as models for other countries to follow.

Mark Terry

Chapter 3. Methods and Approaches to Documentary Influence

Abstract

The documentary film has seen many experimental approaches taken to its form, presentation, and technology since its inception as a social change method of persuasion. This chapter examines the seven modes of the documentary as identified by Bill Nichols along with Michael Renov’s four functions of documentary. These frequently examined theories, among others, are examined from a perspective of success in empowering the activist intentions of the social issue documentary. The methods and approaches that have proven to best serve the social change agenda of the documentary film are identified.

Mark Terry

Chapter 4. Ecocinema and Semiotic Storytelling

Abstract

A relatively new sub-genre of the documentary—ecocinema—is becoming a popular form among theorists and practitioners alike. With global environmental issues like climate change constantly demanding our attention, the environmental documentary, now more commonly referred to as the eco-doc, has achieved significance in the world of activist documentary filmmaking. In addition to the production of several documentary feature films and television programmes in this category worldwide, new semiotic storytelling methods are being employed to strengthen the audience’s connection to the world they see on screen with the same world they live in off screen as a means of encouraging them to adopt behavioural change and to take action.

Mark Terry

Chapter 5. The Documentary’s Digital Turn

Abstract

As the documentary film moved from a production medium of recording on celluloid and exhibition in cinemas to the digital world of recording on computer chips and exhibition on laptops and mobile devices, the production capabilities and audience reach expanded exponentially. The traditional documentary film is still being made today, but the affordances of the Internet now provide a wealth of production and dissemination opportunities, reimagining how documentary film stories are told and how to engage its audiences in more profound activist ways. This chapter examines the affordances that best advance the activist intentions of the social issue documentary and explores what new technology and approaches in the digital world can accelerate and amplify these goals.

Mark Terry

Chapter 6. Visible Volume: The Multilinear and Database Documentary

Abstract

Two interactive formats of the digital documentary film are explored for their ability to provide a resource to those tasked with introducing progressive new policy and effecting social change. The multilinear documentary shows up in film practice as early as the 1960s, and while theoretically interesting at that time, its lack of interactivity does not make it an engaging structure as an influential communications tool until the digital era. The database documentary proves to be a valuable structure for housing a wide variety of content on a specific theme. Both multilinear and database documentary formats will be examined in this chapter. Combining these two interactive formats promises to enhance the influential power of the documentary film when incorporating a relationality platform for the film units as well as the various metadata affordances of the World Wide Web.

Mark Terry

Chapter 7. The Geo-Doc: A Locative Approach to Remediating the Genre

Abstract

A new form of the documentary incorporating the proven techniques, theories, modes, and practices examined in previous chapters is presented: the Geo-Doc. Using a platform of a Geographic Information System map of the world, the specific affordances of this geomedia technology provide a new space for the activist multilinear and database documentary. Within this space, temporal and spatial information yields implicit narratives not evident in the explicit storylines of the documentary film units that populate the geo-doc project. A case study of the Youth Climate Report, a geo-doc project created for the environmental policymakers of the United Nations, is examined for its effectiveness as serving as an influential communications tool for global climate change policy creation.

Mark Terry

Chapter 8. Conclusion

Abstract

The Geo-Doc is a new remediation of the documentary film as an instrument of social change but not the last. New technologies and theories will continue to advance the film genre as it becomes a more reliable communications tool for those who make change and for those who want change. This chapter explores some of the nascent digital tools such as virtual and augmented realities that documentarians are looking to enlist in their activist service. How can these new technologies be harnessed and what new approaches will further remediate the documentary film? Will we recognize this new construct as a documentary film or will its goal of social change influence and new production methodologies yield an altogether new film species?

Mark Terry

Backmatter

Titel: The Geo-Doc
verfasst von: Dr. Mark Terry
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-32508-4
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-32507-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32508-4