Filmmakers Discuss the Evolution of the Documentary

By Contributing Writer, 2-19-07

“All the things that are beautiful and magical about the cinema are beautiful and magical about documentary too,” said Ariana Gerstein during this afternoon’s panel with four other filmmakers at the Big Sky Film Festival. 

With Andy Smetanka moderating, Steve James (The War Tapes), John Sinno (Killing a Deer, Iraq in Fragments), Niklas Vollmer (Happy Crying Nursing Home) and Gerstein (Alice Sees the Light) shared their creative differences, similarities and views on the changing and growing documentary genre.

The discussion began with the logistics of creating a film.  What goes into it?  Sound, director, producer, cameramen, type of equipment. The panel mulled all these things and ultimately decided they are up to individual choice.

James, producer of the world-renowned film Hoop Dreams and most recently, (and at the festival) The War Tapes, said he likes to work with a small crew of about two or three, but it’s important to have enough support so he can see it all and not have to look through a box.

Vollmer, nodding his head in agreement, said, “I like the intimacy of myself and the subject. The subject starts directing, and that is the collaboration. My head starts to buzz with delight.” All of the artists agree that the size of the crew depends on the kind of film you are creating.

“Documentary has evolved quite a bit recently,” Sinno said. “Because of the change in tech we are moving more to the personal. In some ways, the producer is becoming less important.”

Each member of the panel agreed that the genre of documentary is complex and unique to the individual creating the film.  This aspect of the industry seemed to excite the members of the panel because they all agreed that experimental documentary film brought in reality, real people and the beauty of narrative.

“I love when you have to ask yourself ‘is it real or narrative?’ I think it’s great to question,” Gerstein said.

As Smetanka concluded with his questions, the audience members ran overtime with all of their questions and comments probing into personal lives, documentary history, educational history, and personal ideals.  The resonating theme throughout the panel was that documentary film is individual and personal. And that, is the beauty of the genre.

Whether a filmmaker’s goal is to tell a story or bring content graced with craft to the audience, both creator and audience are looking at documentaries in new ways.