GADGETS, PHONES AND DRONES Multi-Perspective Documentary Storytelling

Abstract

Documentary filmmakers have always been quick to adopt new semi-professional and consumer cameras. However, they have not replaced conventional professional cameras, but added to the vivid variety of documentary style.Today, multi-perspective storytelling in documentary forms is on the rise. On Youtube, Instagram, Snapchat and in TV-Formats various cameras like cellphones, action-cams (GoPros) or drones are commonly used in addition to the classical single-perspective camera. Because the phenomenon is still young, there is very little research and literature on the influence of multi-perspective use of cameras in documentary.Our practice-led, comparative research project ‘Gadgets, Phones and Drones’ investigates the differences of single- and multi-camera storytelling in documentaries and aims to clarify how the use of multi-perspective in documentary is developing. Multi-perspective storytelling is examined by semi-structured interviews with experts in the field and by a practice-based comparative study. In a short documentary about a dog school, we aim to tell the same story in two different ways: We compare the classical shoulder-mounted single-camera-perspective with the multiple camera perspective documenting the very same events. In this process, in the multi-perspective version the dogs as well as their owners and the dog trainer were equipped with cameras and, in addition, the situation was also filmed by a drone.This paper gives insight into questions that arose throughout this artistic research as well as into the discussion of multi-perspective storytelling among practicioners. The mixed method approach will not only add to scientific research, but will also serve as direct feedback for the artistic discussion in current documentary filmmaking.