Looking at Documentaries

The Cave of the Yellow Dog is a mixture of documentary and drama. The director and crew spent over 60 days filming the family to get the footage they required to create the film. The family or 'cast' were filmed without having to perform to scripts as professional actors do. The director prompted the family to do the everyday things that come naturally to them.

• What do you think are the benefits of filming the family going about their natural everyday tasks?
• How do you think The Cave of the Yellow Dog would have been different if the family were given scripts and asked to act?
• Imagine a film crew came to your house to make a documentary about your family. How would you feel about your daily life being filmed for the big screen? Who would own the film: the director, the film company or your family?