Bill Nichols (film theorist)

Bill Nichols is a renowned film scholar who developed a system for analyzing different types of documentaries, called "modes." These modes—such as poetic, expository, observational, participatory, reflexive, and performative—describe how documentaries present reality, each with distinct styles and objectives. His work helps us understand how filmmakers shape our perception of truth, reality, and their relationship to the audience. Essentially, Nichols provides a framework for studying how documentaries work and the different ways they engage viewers with real-world stories.