Mediating Reality

In documentary, it is crucial that editing is done correctly and that the editor has manipulated the form of reality the viewers see to make the point of view clear and to make it interesting to watch.

The editor's will use various techniques to do this, like zooming in to capture certain details and choosing when it is appropriate to give certain information, thus making it a shock when it is revealed and manoeuvring the audiences thoughts to agree with the creators. Also A-roll is used for interview footage and B-roll for any other related footage to make the documentary a pleasure to watch. 

For example, in 'Bowling for Columbine,' Michael Moore uses shots of news clips are used to show the public view of Marilyn Manson in which the media is represented as an angry mob and then he is interviewed and he is potrayed as a 'nice guy' who is calm and collected, contradicting the manipulated media's view and making the audience sympathise with him. 


Moore does this by using fast paced editing and the most heated discussions from the news about the goth scene, music and Marilyn Manson and then using a laid back interview with the musician himself.

A documentary filmmaker will make his/her point of view (Overall opinion) on a matter clear through editing a piece focusing on highlighting there interpretation of the situation by attacking other views using clever manipulation of footage.