It looks like IMDb take the category "documentary" from all the stand-up comedy titles. Now when I search for feature films (narrative movies with a screenplay and a story) I get stand-up comedy movies. These movies ARE documentaries, since they are simply the register of a live performance. Please put back the "documentary" category on these titles. Thank you.
Posted 4 months ago
It looks like IMDb take the category "documentary" from all the stand-up comedy titles!!!
Really!
Explain this..........
If you believe that a title has been incorrectly "Genre" categorized, then submit a correction to those titles.
Please read this....... Genres
It should be remembered that these definitions are guidelines - No single definition can cover every possible eventuality. Some of these genres are objective; for the others, a little leeway ... Read more.
Adrian, Champion
Stand up comedies are not documentaries. There is no way they would ever fit in that category and if you were adding that genre to try and remove them from "feature films", of course, someone would correct that.
Adrian, do you believe that they are TV Specials?
Most of these were originally produced by the then new Pay TV industry.
Most are still on Cable and Satellite.
Would it be correct in your opinion to categorize them as such?
Or would it be best for staff to clarify?
Thanks
:):)
Most of these were originally produced by the then new Pay TV industry.
Most are still on Cable and Satellite.
Would it be correct in your opinion to categorize them as such?
Or would it be best for staff to clarify?
Thanks
:):)
Adrian, Champion
I don't think you can generalize. It would really depend on how they are originally presented. If it's made for HBO or Netflix or something, I could see them as "TV Specials" but not all were. Some were made as feature films.
Good point.
Thanks
Thanks
Until yesterday all stand-up shows were categorized as "documentaries" on IMDb. They were wrong for the last 30 years then.
There is a live performance, be it music or comedy, and there are a team DOCUMENTING that performance. The result is a documentary by my book.
Adrian, Champion
Yes they were Angelo. Thanks for noticing (and I highly doubt that every stand-up was classified as a documentary for 30 years). Not to be pedantic, but do you know the definition of "documentary" because in no way, ever, would stand-up routines classify.
Also, not to be pedantic again, but IMDb has only existed for 29 years.
Also, not to be pedantic again, but IMDb has only existed for 29 years.
(Edited)
Adrian, Champion
Documentary: "a movie or a television or radio program that provides a factual record or report"
In no way do live performances meet that definiton.
In no way do live performances meet that definiton.
Besides it is absolutely common to separate narrative films from other forms of audiovisual expression. Take the Oscars, for example. There is no reason for IMDb to change things now and mess with the results in advanced search.
A performance is a fact. It is real. It actually happened. The film is a register of that fact.
A live performance don't exist for the film sake. The film is only the result of the documenting of the performance. Hence, a documentary.
A live performance don't exist for the film sake. The film is only the result of the documenting of the performance. Hence, a documentary.
But I see, you are one of "IMDb is always right" guys. There is no sense in keeping this discussion.
Angelo.
I have looked up Documentaries.
There are only six widely accepted definitions by several sources.
They Are
The six main categories of the documentary films are:
1. It is a unique and inventory combination of styles used to share a poignant message to the world as well as to stress on subjects with experience. They often affix personal accounts and experience placed closed together with the prodigious historical and political concerns. This has also been referred to the ‘Michael Moore’ style, as he often depicted the social constructs of truth using his personal stories.
2. Performative Documentaries are an experimental combination of styles used to stress subject experience and share an emotional response to the world. They often connect personal accounts or experience juxtaposed with larger political or historical issues. This has sometimes been called the “Michael Moore” style, as he often uses his own personal stories as a way to construct social truths (without having to argue the validity of their experiences).
3. The performative mode of documentary is the direct opposite of the observational mode. In Observational documentaries, unobtrusive observation of the subject is the director’s aim. A Performative documentary emphasizes the filmmaker’s own involvement with the subject.
I have looked up Documentaries.
There are only six widely accepted definitions by several sources.
They Are
The six main categories of the documentary films are:
- Poetic Documentary. ...
- Expository Documentary. ...
- Observational Documentary. ...
- Participatory Documentary. ...
- Reflexive Documentary. ...
- Performative Documentary. ...
- Narrative Modes and Documentary Structures. ...
1. It is a unique and inventory combination of styles used to share a poignant message to the world as well as to stress on subjects with experience. They often affix personal accounts and experience placed closed together with the prodigious historical and political concerns. This has also been referred to the ‘Michael Moore’ style, as he often depicted the social constructs of truth using his personal stories.
2. Performative Documentaries are an experimental combination of styles used to stress subject experience and share an emotional response to the world. They often connect personal accounts or experience juxtaposed with larger political or historical issues. This has sometimes been called the “Michael Moore” style, as he often uses his own personal stories as a way to construct social truths (without having to argue the validity of their experiences).
3. The performative mode of documentary is the direct opposite of the observational mode. In Observational documentaries, unobtrusive observation of the subject is the director’s aim. A Performative documentary emphasizes the filmmaker’s own involvement with the subject.
Furthermore, the filmmaker shows a larger political or historical reality through the window of her own experience. Rather than rely on the expository approach, the performative filmmaker becomes a personal guide. The guide shows it and tells it like it is with raw emotion.
In performative mode the filmmaker gives a “what’s it like to be there” perspective on a world, a culture or an event in history. Without that perspective, it’s likely the audience would otherwise never know those topics. In “Tongues Untied” (1989) the late African-American filmmaker Marlon Riggs combines actuality, re-enactments and his personal account to shine a light on black gay American identity.
Also in the performative category are the works of so-called ‘found footage’ filmmakers like Hungarian Péter Forgács (“Danube Exodus,” 1999). His films are created from home movies. They’re recovered personal records to tell the story of ordinary people’s lives that are about to be overtaken by catastrophic, historic events.
Suggested Viewing“Night And Fog” Alain Resnais 1955; “Paris Is Burning” Jenny Livingston 1991; “Forest of Bliss” Robert Gardner 1986
Angelo
I could go on and on ad-nauseam with examples, but one thing remains a constant in the performative mode of documentary style of film making. The lack of any examples of comedy. They are also absent in the other 5 modes.
In order for a documentary to be part of a comedy title would be from a third party point of view. Examining a comedians work from a behind the scenes style. It would have a narrator and never show a complete "Theatrical" performance.
Cheers.
:):)
(Edited)
There's only one definition of 'documentary' that actually matters here, and that's IMDb's definition.
Note the last line: "This genre should also be applied to all instances of stand-up comedy and concert performances."
If policy has changed, then the guidelines need to be updated (and the change really should have been announced too). Otherwise, Angelo is correct and the genre should be reinstated for the relevant titles.
Note the last line: "This genre should also be applied to all instances of stand-up comedy and concert performances."
If policy has changed, then the guidelines need to be updated (and the change really should have been announced too). Otherwise, Angelo is correct and the genre should be reinstated for the relevant titles.
Thanks Phil, I was scrolling through all the posts above and was really wondering why nobody was pointing this out.
welcome
Jayseph, Employee
Angelo Pilla
Ed Jones(XLIX)
You may want to wait for an IMDb Employees reply before you make any further changes.
Personally, I do not see them as Documentaries.
Now if a film was made following a comedian around from show to show from a back stage perspective, then by all means that's a documentary.
But I believe IMDb is going in the right direction removing the documentary genre.
Now a few may qualify but not all as a group. And after reflecting on it, I don't believe that Eddie Murphy Raw qualifies as a documentary either.
Please wait for staff to reply. I know I'm curious too.
Cheers
:):)
Angelo Pilla
Ed Jones(XLIX)
Like I said....
Wait for staff to clarify why that genre has been removed site wise on comedy specials.