Conventions of Documentaries

1. By Michelle Asafu-Adjaye Conventions of Documentaries

2. Conventions Voiceover: This is a commentary from the film maker, which is spoken whilst filming Hand-held camera: This is used to make the documentary more realistic and also because its easier and cheaper to follow the action with a hand-held camera. Two types of voiceovers E.G: in March of the penguins we hear the narrators voice throughout but we never see him. “Voice of God” “Voice of authority” E.G In this documentary Origins of us the narrator is present and talks to the audience A narrative from a narrator we can see who represents the view of the documentary. Narration from a voice we can’t see.

3. Archival footage: These are old images or film that show historical events, which the filmmaker cant film. E.G – In Michel Moore’s bowling for columbine. Interviews: These are often with experts who asked questions in relation to the topic. It gives a sense of realism and makes the viewer assume that certain points made are valid. Michael Moore uses archival footage of adverts advertising toy guns. In Michael Moore's ‘sicko’ he interviews a doctor in the UK to compare it to the us health care system. Talking Heads: These are another form if interviews but include members of the public filmed from the shoulders up. They are featured talking about things in relation to the topic Re-enactments: These are a reconstruction of an event that has previously occurred using actors based on information about the event. It gives the viewer a sense of realism. E.G On crime watch they show reconstructions of crimes that have happened to get a response from the viewer. In this episode of the television documentary click the narrator asks members of the public their opinions of touch screen gadgets

4. Visual coding: This links to the idea of mise-en-scene. E.g. If a doctor was being interviewed they’d have to wear clothing associated with being a doctor in order to make it obvious to the viewer that he/she is a doctor. Use of text an titles: This is a quick and cheap way of conveying information. In the World War Two Heroes documentary they put the names and professions of the participants. Exposition: This occurs at the beginning of the documentary and introduces the main themes of the documentary. It creates the viewers first impression. Filmmakers do this by selecting sections of the documentary that will catch the viewers attention. Real footage: As documentaries are seen as non-fiction, the information presented has to be real.

6. Bibliography • http://natasha-a2-media.blogspot.com/2010/09/introduction-to-dpcumentary.html • http://www.slideshare.net/crosswaysfederation/codes-and-conventions-of-documentary • http://www.documentarysite.com/?p=40