CONVENTIONS OF GENREMOCKUMENTARY

Ben Trant

History of genre• Early film was dominated by the novelty of

showing an event, single-shot moments captured on film e.g. a person walking into a house. These short films were called "actuality" films; the term "documentary" was not used until 1926. Many of the first films, last no longer than a minute due to technological limitations.

• Films showing many people were often made for commercial reasons: the people being filmed were eager to see, for payment, the film showing them. One notable film lasted over an hour and a half, The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight. Using pioneering film-looping technology, Enoch J. Rector presented the entirety of a famous 1897 prize-fight on cinema screens across the United States.

Famous examples• There have been famous examples of mockumentaries, especially over the last decade. • Recent hits have included Come Fly with Me, Derek and Twenty Twelve. American

successes like Modern Family and The Office US have also been well received on UK screens.

• Mockumentary films by Sacha Baron Cohen such as The Dictator, Bruno and Borat are arguably the most well known with each receiving huge amounts of criticism despite both critical and commercial success.

News stories / controversies• Come Fly With Me – Many people claimed the use of stereotypes about Muslims, Japanese

and Black Women were in poor taste and some people even called it “lazy comedy”.

• Borat - After the film's release, some cast members spoke against, and even sued, its creators. It was banned in all Arab countries except Lebanon, and the Russian government discouraged Russian cinemas from showing it.

• Derek - The show drew criticism for its perceived portrayal of mental disability, but Gervais insisted that Derek isn't autistic, saying "if I say he is not meant to be he is not meant to be, it’s as simple as that."

Common conventionsCONVENTION DESCRIPTION

FOOTAGE Archive footage may be used to show some history whilst real footage or renactments may also be used, the latter if no footage is available.

VOICE-OVER Voice overs by the narrator or presenter is used to introduce footage or used when sound from the footage can’t be used

INTERVIEW Usually there are interviews between the presenter or producers and an expert or the people in the documentary

TITLES Title screens are used at the start of the documentary, used for subtitles in hard to hear audio or translations. May also introduce a location, date or time.

SET UPS Will be used for renactments or to stereotype a group or individuals. Can also be used if the location required is unavailable.

VISUAL CODING Stereotypical clothing and props for mise-en-scene, can be placed purposely or emphasised by being placed in the centre of the shot.

SOUND Music can be used to build up suspense or excitement. Sound effects may be used to break up footage or used when the actual audio can’t be heard or is reacted.

Other informationThere are three different types of documentaries:

• Participatory documentaries - An inclusive and collaborative process that engages communities in designing and carrying out the collection and dissemination of their own story.

• Reflexive documentaries – The filmaker acknowledges their presence in-front of the camera and gives some narrative guidance.

• Performative documentaries - The emphasis of the filmmaker’s subjective attitude or personal engagement with a subject to evoke audience reaction.

Award: Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature2014 winners: Citizenfour, Finding Vivian Maier, Last Days in Vietnam, The Salt of the Earth and Virunga

Although documentaries are eligible for the Academy Award for Best Picture, none have yet earned a nomination. Documentaries are also ineligible for the other awards such as; Best Original Screenplay and Best Director due to their realistic elements.