Codes and conventions of a documentary

Voiceover

An unseen commentator who narrates the events or arguments as they happen. They may often directly address the reader which draws the reader in and creates a sense of involvement

Would be used in:-Fully narrated documentary-Mixed documentary-Self-reflective documentary-Docudrama-Docusoap

Types of footage

ACTUALITY FOOTAGE

ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE

BACKGROUND FOOTAGE

•Actuality footage is footage of real life events as they really happened including the actual people involved – not actors.•This is important in a documentary as they are non-fiction and are meant to investigate/present truthful information to their audience.

This is real-life footage that usually shows historical events e.g. old interviews.

This would be footage filmed by the documentary maker to fill in gaps of the documentary, but which would still relate to the argument/event.

Interviews and voxpops

INTERVIEWS VOXPOPSDocumentaries will usually have an interview with an expert who will either contradict the argument of the documentary or will support it

These are popular opinions represented by informal comments from members of the public. These will usually be short clips and documentaries would usually contain more than 1.

Would be used in:-Fully narrated documentary-Mixed documentary-Self-reflective documentary-Docudrama-Docusoap

Would be used in:-Fully narrated documentary-Mixed documentary-Self-reflective documentary-Docudrama

Sound

This can come in the form of background music to send a hidden message to the reader through the lyrics, or to make the documentary more interesting. It would more than often relate to the events/arguments being presented.

It could also come in the form of sound effects to emphasise certain things to the audience.

Use of texts/titles

The text would often anchor an image and be information such as dates, times or names. It is a quick way to convey small but important pieces of information to the audience.

Dramatisation

This is a key feature of a documentary and is the reconstruction of an event. This helps the audience to understand the event better and therefore helps them to develop their own personal opinions.

Would be used in:-Fully narrated documentary-Mixed documentary-Docudrama

Exposition

Exposition is another key feature of a documentary and is a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory. It introduces important background information.

Observation

This is when someone or something is closely observed – usually the thing/person that the documentary is based around

Would be used in:-Fully narrated documentary-Mixed documentary-Self-reflective documentary-Docudrama-Docusoap-Fly on the wall

Visual coding

This is the mise-en-scene that is included in the documentary e.g. Props, background, clothing, appearance, location.

The mise-en-scene can affect the audiences opinions, e.g. If a scientist is being interviewed in a lab rather than in a casual setting, we believe they are more professional and are more inclined to believe/agree with what they are saying

Gatekeeping

Gatekeeping is the selection or rejection of information for inclusion in the text/documentary etc.

It is the process of choosing the most relevant information to fulfil its purpose.

Construction of reality

Documentaries are a representational medium: they record and occasionally reconstruct the everyday reality viewers typically cannot experience themselves. Audiences understand the documentary as a moving photograph to signify the truth.

Construction of reality draws the audience into an everyday reality that seemingly does not need to be questioned.