Codes and conventions

1. Codes and Conventions of a
Documentary

2. • I watched and researched a wide variety of documentaries in order to get a broad perspective of what the codes and
conventions are in documentaries.
http://www.itv.com/mafiawithtrevor http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p03q99cc/newsbeat-documentaries-anorexia-a-boy-in-a-girls-world
The Mafia with Trevor McDonald Anorexia- a boy in a girls world
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/royal-marines-commando-school
Royale Marines Commando school
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtOghS8RyoI- The Texas
Mass Murders Serial Killer Paedophile Dean Corll Crime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejD33EEeCPU-
Jeffrey Dahmer - The Milwaukee Cannibal Crime
Documentary 2017

3. Voiceover- The voiceover is usually someone quite demanding, encouraging the audience to that they either have someone who specialises in
that specific area. David Attenborough, Nick Broomfield, amongst others. Unseen commentator who explains a story during the
documentary, as the audience we are encouraged to believe what they say is true.
Narrativization- communicate (events/experiences) in narrative form, in order to understand the documentary more.
“Real” Footage from event- essentially documentaries are seen as “non-fiction”. All events that are presented to us are to be as “real” by the
audience. The use of natural sound and lighting. This may be a recording of an actual event which is documented with the real people
involved not actors.
As an Example of “real footage”: London Riots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WmMhircZOc
Interviews- views expressed of different people in the documentary as to the event. Allows people being filmed to speak directly about
events prompted by specific questions, Interviews in a documentary provide a sense of realism. Interviewers ask questions to the individual,
this is done to gain more emotion.
Text- The use of information, dates and times. New programmes use to its advantage, it’s a quick way of conveying information.
Sound- this is used to give off a certain effect, eg: Supersize me, they use childish immature music to undermine McDonalds as a business.
Dramatization- reconstruction of an event acted by actors.
Realism- Documentaries may achieve this through active footage, interviews, location shooting and following the action.
• Documentary being REAL and LIVE:
• Uneven handheld camera work
• Unintended sound
• Example of this- Japan’s Tsunami: Caught on camera
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM4wQwDAgMs
Codes and Conventions of a Documentary

4. What is a documentary:
• A documentary is the use of pictures, videos or interview with people involved in real events to provide factual reports on
particular subjects.
Modes of documentary’s
• Expository- voiceover, images used to illustrate, assembles variety of footage and interviews.
• Observational- handheld shots, long takes, synchronous sound, no voiceover or interviews.
• Participatory- interviews dominate, news, footage, newspaper headlines, handheld shots, long takes, synchronous sound,
voiceover.
• Reflexive- techniques borrowed from fiction film, anti-realist techniques, voiceover.
• Performative- shaped into the narrative of an investigation, addresses the audience in an emotional and direct way. Subject
matter often to do with identity.

5. Documentary Research
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY2gh51KdnQ- The nightmare (sleep paralysis documentary)
• Voiceover- The voiceover is usually someone quite demanding or encouraging the audience to that they either have someone
who specialises in that specific area, however in this circumstance it is the person who experienced sleep paralysis talking
about their personal experiences.
• Real footage from event- night cameras in his room to record him whilst sleeping to see what action takes place.
• Interviews- views expressed of different people in the documentary as to the event. They interviewed the family members,
psychologists and the person who experiences sleep paralysis.
• Sound- the use of non-diegetic sound scary music helps the audience engage with the context of the document and what it is
about.
• Camerawork-interviews are usually close up picks out emotions and facial expressions. Some hand held shots of real footage
events.