CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF DOCUMENTARIES

Emma Riddiough

Narrative Structure Nearly all the documentaries are single

stranded There are themes that run through the

documentary Voice over holds narrative together but also

creates meaning for the audience

Camerawork Establishing shots are used to anchor the meaning

of the documentary Interviews are filmed in close up, medium close up

or sometimes in big close ups; and are framed to the left or right of the screen

Handheld camerawork is used to show actuality footage, adding to the atmosphere of what they’re talking about

Interviews follow the rule of thirds A variety of camera shots and angles are used Creative camerawork Zooms and panning shots used to show still images

Voice Over Anchors meaning Offers various facts and figures allowing the

audience to form opinions Voice over – gender /age is relevant to the

topic; e.g. it has to appeal to the target audience

Holds the narrative together Standard English is used; e.g. normally calm

and clear

Mise-en-scene Use of chromakey makes the background of

the interviews relevant Interviews – backgrounds are relevant to

either the subject or the person who’s being interviewed

Lighting is creative Background – needs to be relevant and has to

fit in with the subject; e.g. location The clothing that the interviewee/person

who’s being filmed has to have relevance to the topic

Sound Has to have relevance to the topic Used to highten the emotion or to build the

narrative Music/Background noise helps to set the scene Voice over or Narrator is used Special effects are used in reconstruction Questions edited out of interviews

Graphics White text is often used as it stands out Title stands out (bold) and is unique, as it helps

reflects the topic/ subject Credits scroll up the screen; e.g. pays tribute to

the archive footage and material that's been used Titles used in interviews anchors who they are

and the relevance they have to a documentary; e.g. usually shown on the opposite side of the screen

Anchor's time

Archive Material Can be accompanied by music; e.g. sound bed,

under visuals Always relevant to the topic Good variety can be used; e.g. films, videos, tv

clips, newspapers, photos Can zoom/pan over archive materials Voice over anchors the meaning of the

documentary together, whilst explaining what it is

Editing Cuts are most commonly used Dissolves Slow and Fast motion aids in emphasising the

atmosphere Interviews are normally one to two minutes at

a time Montage editing Effect are used; e.g. fade to black/ elliptical

editing