Documentary genre

Codes and conventions of documentaries The purpose of a documentary is to document, to report with evidence something that has actually happened. It can show this by using actuality footage or reconstructions. It can use a narrators voice over to anchor the meaning or rely on the participants themselves with perhaps occasional comments from an unseen narrator. Fly on the wall (verite) – appear as truthful as possible Current affairs- topicality in depth news item Both radio and tv use documentaries a lot in their scheduling. Documentaries are important to schedule with target audience with where to schedule. • Audience research is vital. • Documentaries have different styles Different techniques • Observation- programme members forget the camera is seen • Interview- they don’t look at camera they look at who is interviewing them- mise en scene has to be right • Narrative- start, middle and ending. Has to tell a story, dramatic conflict too • Exposition- what is the documentary saying- line of argument • Fully narrated- screen voiceover (voice of god) • Mixed- combine interviews observation, narration, found footage. • Voxpop- street interviews with the general public. Ask them all the same question. Dramatic footage to show conflict