A documentary film is one of those several types that are creative. It can either be a narrative fiction or an experimental avant-garde. Among other things, it should have a purpose and a special viewpoint – scripted or spontaneous as long as it’s limited to reality.

Several of the movie reviews and production requirements for documentaries refer to the fact that there are no sets; actors are not used, and real people, not actors, play themselves.

Historically speaking, documentaries are known to have produced great impact on cultural meanings. The art of documentary film-making is taught by many film schools throughout the world. The schools and classes teach understanding the primary aesthetic tools of documentary filmmaking such as camera operation, sound, structure, and also the interview.

Classes will often include exercises that lead to the production of a documentary film project, so that the students can learn directing and producing skills as well as learn the different kinds of documentary.

Both teachers and students also have to deal with pre-production and actual production issues.

Students are also encouraged to watch portions of films and videos that deal with the major trends in the history of documentary filmmaking. For better understanding, students are also visited by guest film makers who will lecture in some of the classes.

Indeed, it is documentary films that stir up a lot of controversies – the reason why this type is considered very challenging. This genre started with the Lumiere Brothers, in their works called “actuality films” and ended with the post-modern explorations of film truth. Classics include Flaherty, Grierson, Riefenstahl, Rouch, Vertov, and Wiseman, along with contemporary works. Also discussed in classes is the fact that shift in political and social realities and changes in technology, personalities of the most influential individuals are continuously redefining the term “documentary.” Documentaries are also about ethical and aesthetic issues.

Documentaries often present challenges for cinematographers who usually must work alone or in small crews. They must learn how to capture beautifully-framed, meaningful footage during low budgets and often on chaotic scenarios that normally surround the film shoot. There’s typically an emphasis on shooting cinema veritÇ and lighting with a very small crew. Also, students are informed about the technical aspects of digital cameras – of course, they are made to work with cameras and a crew.

Documentaries are also a very popular form of art. Awards shows have a place for documentaries and many are covered often by movie critics, as evidenced in as early as 1942, when there were four winners including: The Battle of Midway; Kokoda Front Line; Moscow Strikes Back; and Prelude to War. Fighting for Life is yet another documentary about military medicine and it is expected to reap awards in 2009 based on the movie reviews it’s receiving.

Today,  on average there are two computers in every household in the United States.  The cost of computer hardware has come down so much that they are nearly disposable.The home computer has almost replaced the compact disc for storage of digital music.  Family photo albums are now digital slide shows  on the TV rather than books of printed images.  To keep up on all the drastic changes in technology, you need the latest copy of the popular computer magazines available today.

Home uses of new technologies is almost unlimited.Affordable high resolution video projectors are now available.  Projectors once were just used for business presentations and movie theaters.  Today, thanks to advances in lighting technology, projectors are physically small and similar in price to TVs.  Projectors can be setup in a living room to create a home theater environment.  Refrigerators are now available with built in computer systems.

The built in computer shows the refrigerator’s temperature and even has the capability of managing the food inventory.  If the system is setup you can program the computer use the internet to order an item from a participating grocer once the item is taken from the refrigerator.  Popular computer magazines can be used as a great tool for shopping for these new technologies.

Advances in technology have touched the security industry as well.Once just science fiction, eye and finger scanners are now a reality.  Today laptops and desktops can be secured with biometric devices that require the users finger to log into their computer.You can find the lastest on biometric technology in today’s popular magazines. Law enforcement security is now testing a body scanner that reads emotions and body temperatures to determine if an individual could pose a threat.  

Nanotechnology is quickly becoming a reality.Computer engineers, using nanotechnology, are now able to build chips and processors on very small surfaces.  These small chips can be used as storage devices to house data in small places as well as computer chips to create watch sized computer systems.

Popular computer magazines keep you updated on nanotechnology advances.  Nanotech can be used to create global positioning systems for tracking endangered wildlife in any climate as well as unnoticed by the animal due to its small size.Nanotech has increased the military’s ability to collect intelligence data with almost undetectable devices. (Don’t expect to find much about this in magazines!)