Moving Images, Understanding Media

Chapter 6 Recording and Presenting Reality 209

CHAPTER IN FOCUS

In this chapter you will:

• produce a short documentary


• analyze non-fiction media traditions and standard documentary
  methods


• evaluate major technical and ethical considerations of documentary
  filmmakers

Exploring New Territory

In 1910, Robert Flaherty, a 26-year-old American mineralogist, was hired

to travel to the Hudson Bay area of Canada to search for iron ore deposits.

During the next six years, Flaherty experienced the local Inuit culture fi rsthand,

writing of his encounters in diaries and developing a great respect for the

traditions and skills that have allowed this group of people to survive in the

harsh climates of the Arctic.

Figure 6-1 Director

Robert Flaherty inspecting

documentary footage in 1949

with his wife and collaborator

Frances in the background.

(Courtesy Getty Images)

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