Doc Mode 1: Poetic

As the class adage goes, “documentaries are the creative treatment of actuality.” So far, throughout this semester, this definition has rung true. We have seen through our screenings and studies how many different forms a documentary film can take, the lenses through which they convey their information (literally and metaphorically), and the various possible outcomes and intentions that a non-fiction film seeks to convey. In understanding and learning about the different established frameworks that documentarian filmmakers use, I know in my experience, my eyes have been opened further to the possibilities for this particular genre of cinema. Because of that, I figured for my first doc mode exploration, I’d go all in on the creative part by utilizing the Poetic framework.

As a principle, the Poetic mode for documentary filmmaking seeks more to evoke a certain mood or atmosphere than to depict a linear story (Masterclass). While there aren’t as many set rules in place for how this is to be achieved–as that is to be determined by the filmmaker–more often than not, most poetic films do so through unique visual or auditory elements. These elements are typically edited in some certain way or possibly even carefully distorted from their original form to heighten the best possible emotional reaction (Nichols, 93). In general, the poetic mode may on the surface stray further from actuality as it is fundamentally built upon subjectivity. However the case can be made that historically, the feelings evoked from these types of films are as real and visceral as one can get. 

Such was the angle I was hoping to take for my film, In the Pursuit of Beauty. I knew going into it that the subject material itself was relatively mundane, as I was, in essence, simply filming a part of my grooming routine. Dyeing one’s hair is a little bit of a novelty to the common man, but many of the other things I proceeded to do throughout the night were likely comparable to other college student’s experiences such as taking a shower, putting on chapstick, eating breakfast, etc.. All that being said, when I started to think about it a little deeper, I realized that a large part of why we as human beings do such tasks is not only to take care of ourselves so we can feel our best, but also because it can impact how others around us perceive us. I especially wanted to emphasize, through the editing, the general atmosphere of the micro-processes that occur for a beauty routine. Because when added up they all contribute to an overarching theme about presenting our best selves, but individually there’s a certain visceral, ritualistic aspect when we inspect ourselves in a mirror for instance. The montage near the end was especially important for me to get right, as I wanted to showcase said journey through time, displaying how even something as little as dyeing my hair has changed how I present myself and how others perceive me.

Sources:

“Guide to Poetic Documentaries: 4 Examples of Poetic Mode - 2025 - MasterClass.” MasterClass, 2020, www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-poetic-documentaries. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

Nichols, Bill, and JaimieBaron. Introduction to Documentary, Fourth Edition. https://platform.virdocs.com/read/2759169/106/#/4/4.