The timeframe over which a documentary's events are covered can vary significantly, depending on the subject matter and the storytelling approach. Here's a list of different types of timeframes that are commonly used in documentaries:
Immediate or Short-Term
Description: Covering events as they happen or over a short period, like a few days or weeks. This is often used in documentaries focusing on a specific event, crisis, or short-term project.
Longitudinal or Extended
Description: Documenting events over months, years, or even decades. These documentaries often track changes or developments over time and are used for more in-depth explorations of subjects or individuals.
Historical or Retrospective
Description: Looking back at events that took place in the past, sometimes over centuries. This approach is common in historical documentaries and often relies on archival footage, interviews, and reenactments.
Seasonal or Cyclical
Description: Following events through specific seasons or cycles, such as a year in the life of a farmer or the cycle of seasons in a natural ecosystem.
Real-Time
Description: Presenting events in real-time, often used for more immersive experiences. This approach can be seen in live broadcasts or documentaries that aim to make viewers feel as if they are experiencing events as they unfold.
Episodic
Description: Covering events in a series of episodes, each focusing on different aspects of a larger story or theme. This format is popular in serialized documentaries, especially on streaming platforms.
Day-in-the-Life
Description: Focusing on a single day in the life of a subject, providing a snapshot of their daily routine, challenges, and achievements.
Biographical
Description: Covering the entire span of an individual's life or a significant part of it. Biographical documentaries often combine current footage with archival materials to tell the story of a person's life and legacy.
Project-Based
Description: Centering around a specific project or endeavor, documenting its progress from inception to completion. This could be the creation of a work of art, a scientific expedition, or a community project.
