Short powerpoint on documentary directors, featuring the likes of Michael Moore.

1. DOCUMENTARY
DIRECTORS
By Emma Dean

2. JOHN GRIERSON
John Grierson directed the first ever documentary by changing the way
he thought about footage and fictional characters to create a film
based on the idea of real events that had taken place. He decided that
by using an ‘original’ character in authentic scenes it would appeal to
the audience on a more emotional level as it would be reflecting real-
life situations. He created “Coal Faces” (1929) which was a stepping
stone when it came to the movement of documentaries. It was
described as “an experiment in sound” and was the first film to be
produced by the GPO film unit.

3. MICHAEL MOORE
Michael Moore is an American documentary filmmaker who is well-
known for his controversial, politically charged documentaries, with
some of them being in the top 10 highest grossing documentaries.
He is best known for “Bowling for Columbine” in 2002 and
“Fahrenheit 9/11” in 2004. Bowling for Columbine examines the
causes of the Columbine High School Massacre and won an academy
award for this along with Fahrenheit 9/11, which critically looked at
the presidency of George W Bush and the war on terror which started
after 9/11. This is officially the highest grossing documentary of all
time.

4. GABRIELA COWPERTHWAITE
Gabriela Cowperthwaite is a producer and director, mostly known for
directing Blackfish (2013) which focuses on SeaWorld and the
controversial captivity of Tilikum, the killer-whale. It won a BAFTA for
Best Documentary in 2014 and was a massive part of the movement
to free the animals held in captivity at the SeaWorld resort.

5. MORGAN SPURLOCK
Morgan Spurlock is an American documentary filmmaker who is best
known for his documentary films such as “Super Size Me” and “One
Direction: This is Us”
Super Size Me (2004) follows a 30-day period during which he ate
only McDonalds food to show the drastic effect on the physical and
psychological well-being of the fast food industry on his body. One
Direction: This is Us (2013) follows famous UK band, One Direction
on their tour, featuring songs off their albums too. This generated
$68 million at the box office.