Codes and Conventions
The purpose
of a documentary is to document to report with evidence something that has
actually happened. It can show this by using actual footage, or reconstructed.
It can use a
narrator’s voice over to anchor the meaning or rely on the participants
themselves with perhaps occasional comments from an unseen narrator.
Fly on the
wall- appears as truthful as possible.
Current
affairs- topically in depth look at a news item.
Radio and TV
use documentaries a lot in their scheduling.
Audience
research is vital.
Documentaries
can have different styles (serious & formal)
Different
techniques
Observation-
programme makers pretend camera is unseen.
Interview –
don’t look at camera look at person there interviewing.
Mise en
scene- has to be right
Narrative-
builds a sense of dramatic conflict
-
Beginning
- get audience’s attention, dramatic
footage
-
Middle
– more detail, conflict
-
End
– resolve argument
Exposition -
line of argument. What is the documentary saying?
Fully-
narrated – off screen voice (voice of god)
Mixed-
combine interviews, observation, narration and found footage.
Vox pops –
street interviews with the general public, ask all the same questions
Topic
Think small
Think local
Good visuals
good images
Good conflict
– 2 sides
Music, sound
effects, lighting
Situations
Locations
Individuals
Camera
Time
Sound/music
Edit
Filming
Cut aways
Cut ins
Variety of
shots
Vary shots in
interview
