CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF DOCUMENTARY

Katie Collins

VOICEOVER Calm and clear delivery which holds the

narrative together. Common to expository documentaries such

as David Attenborough’s Planet Earth

ARCHIVE MATERIAL ie. Relevant material such as newspapers,

photographs, website and video footage that backs up the points made by the documentary.

Convention of documentary: all images presented must be seen as real by the audience. Editing and voiceover alters the ‘reality’ we see.

INTERVIEWS Authenticate points expressed in the

documentary, makes it seem more reliable. Could use experts to gain more info or

subjects to gain their point of view Participatory documentaries show the

questions being asked, other categories tend to edit this out and keep the answers.

USE OF TEXT/ GRAPHICS Text, titles and graphics are a quick and easy

way to convey information such as dates, back stories etc. and tend to be believed unquestioningly.

SOUND Mixture of diegetic/ non-diegetic sound such

as voiceovers and music added for effect.

VISUAL CODING ie. Mise-en-scene and props. eg. Interviewing

a lawyer wearing a suit sitting in an office will make it seem more reliable and realistic.