Codes and Conventions of Documentaries

In today's lesson we produced a list of the codes and conventions of documentaries based upon the real media products we have recently viewed:

Type of Documentary
-Fully narrated/ expository
-Fly on the Wall/ observational
-Mixed
-Self reflective
-Docudrama
-Docusoap

Narrative Structure
-Open
-Closed
-Single strand
-Non-linear
-Linear
-Circular

Camerawork
-Wide range of shots
-Interviews are either framed to the left or right and eyeline is in the top third; interviewee looks at interviewer rather than the camera
-Vox pops- street interviews
-Close ups- show emotion
-External shots- set scene
-PAN/track
-Hand held
-Framing on interviews
-Interviews often in medium close up/ close up
-Rule of thirds used in interviews
-Interviews are no longer than 2 minutes- fast pace
-Camerawork is varied and creative to suit the topic
-Conventional framing is used

Mise-en-scene
-Creates the mood of documentaries
-Adds to the story
-Lighting changes the feel of the documentary
-Low-key/ high-key lighting
-Chiarascuro lighting- see half of the face
-Chromokey- moving background in interview
-Background can reinforce the content of the interview/ gives more information about the interviewee's personal life/ occupation
-Interviews aren't filmed with a light source behind interviewee

Sound
-Voiceover- holds the narrative together; gender of voiceover normally fits/ suits the theme (Voice of God)
-Voice usually speaks standard English with calm clear delivery; gender/ age is occasionally relevant to the topic
-Ambiant sound
-Buzz track
-Background music
-Incidental music

Editing
-Zoom in/ out
-Slow/ fast pace
-Fade out/ fade in/ wipe/ dissolve
-Depth of field
-Superimposition
-Cut aways- voiceover whilst relevant images, etc. are shown. Sometimes edited into interviews- breaks up interview and illustrates what is being said (filmed after interview/are archive material)
-Jump cuts are avoided
-Questions usually edited out of interviews

Archive Material
-Can be still images/ video clips
-Sometimes shown in cutaways
-Camera movement used when filming still archive material, e.g. zoom
-Relevant music; however it should not interfere with voiceover/ visuals
-Variety of archive material used
-May use sound underneath

Graphics
-Subtitles
-Names of people being interviewed- tells audience who they are/what they do
-Simple details usually 2 lines