2. 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
3. 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 camera 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. Sound
Music has to have relevance to
the topic
Music is 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
