The power of visual storytelling in documentary filmmaking : a case study on how visual storytelling is used in the documentary Dear Zachary

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis is to analyze the use of creative techniques in documentary: Dear Zachary through visual storytelling. As well as analyze how the use of visual storytelling in Dear Zachary relates to theoretical boundaries within documentary filmmaking and the concerns from the journalistic field. The documentary: Dear Zachary is an inspiring story about grief, love and perseverance. This case was chosen because although it contains two murder cases, the documentary filmmaker was able to despite its tragic events through the use of visual storytelling techniques create a story about hope and perseverance. The result of the thesis showed that the visual storytelling in the documentary Dear Zachary was kept within the theoretical framework of documentary filmmaking. However this is only one case study and can not be ground for the conclusion that this is the case with most documentaries. The hope is that future researchers will continue studying the relationship between visual storytelling and the boundaries within documentary filmmaking. As well as continue research regarding journalisms concerns with documentaries by testing those concerns through case studies similar to this one.