2. Introduction to documentaries
A documentary is a programme to inform people and give information about a
particular subject.
Documentaries use video evidence to report something that has actually happened by
using actuality footage or reconstructions.
The main purpose of documentaries is to inform the audience about the subject but to
also entertain them.
3. Voice Over
There are 2 different types of voice over or
narration:
Voice Of Authority Voice Of God
This is a narrative from a narrator we
can see who represents the view of the
documentary.
This is a narrative where we hear the
narrator’s voice throughout the
documentary but we never see them.
E.g. in the documentary “Origins Of Us” the
narrator is present and talks to the
audience.
E.g. in the documentary “March Of The
Penguins” we hear the narrators voice
but we do not see him.
The voice over can be male or female and is often
in standard English so that the audience can clearly
understand what they’re saying.
4. Narrative Structure
The structure of the documentary can be linear,
non linear or circular. These three terms
describe the chronology of the documentary.
If the structure is linear it means that
the viewers path through the story is
controlled by the filmmaker – we all
experience the same beginning,
middle and end.
If the structure is non-linear then
the events do not happen in
chronological order. The narrative
does not follow the direct pattern
of the events featured.
If the structure is circular it means that the
documentary begins the same as it ends.
For example, in ‘Kenny Rodgers: Cards
On The Table’, the documentary begins in
present day and ends in present day.
5. Narrative Structure
The structure can be single stranded or
multi stranded. These terms describe the
storyline of the documentary.
The term single
stranded means that
the documentary only
follows one subject or
topic. This is the main
focus of the
documentary.
The term multi
stranded means
that there are many
subjects in the
same
documentary.
If the narrative is
closed, it means
that there are no
unanswered
questions at the
end.
If the narrative is
open, it means that
not everything has
been covered and
there are still
unanswered
questions.
The narrative can be open or
closed depending on the end of the
documentary.
6. Observational Footage
Observational or actuality footage is footage that
has been shot by the film maker himself rather
than taking pre-made footage.
Most observational footage is shot
using a handheld camera to create a
sense of realism and to make the
audience feel as if they are really
there.
Realism in observational footage
can also be achieved by the use of
natural sound and lighting. This is
used to create a realistic
atmosphere.
7. Different camera angles are used to
create variety and make it more visually
interesting for the audience to watch.
Observational Footage
Different shot sizes are used again to
create variety. For example, a long shot
might be used if the setting is relevant or
a medium close up might be used if the
costume and makeup of the person is
relevant.
Varied camera movement is important
and differs depending on the situation
and the setting. For example, in a nature
documentary, there may be tracking
shots to follow animals.
Observational footage is often used for cut
aways during interviews to hide jump cuts
and usually ties in with what the interviewee
or narrator is saying.
8. Archive Footage
Archive footage is footage filmed by other
people which the film maker has taken and
used in their documentary. This is usually
footage that the film maker couldn’t have
captured themselves.
Archive footage is used to aid authenticity
and to give the audience a better
understanding of what the narrator is talking
about. It can also be used to hide jump cuts
during interviews and ties in with what the
narrator or interviewee is talking about.
9. Interviews It is conventional in documentaries for
interviews to be shot using the rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds is where the screen is
divided into thirds and the interviewee should
be sat on one side of the screen rather than in
the middle. This is to give them space to talk
into.
The interviewee looks across to the
opposite side of the screen as if they
are talking to an off-screen interviewer.
They never make eye contact with the
camera.
There should be a bit of head space at the
top of the screen but not a lot. This is so that
the interviewee’s head isn’t cut off the
screen.
10. Interviews
Mostly medium close ups are used during
interviews so that the audience can see the
interviewee’s facial expression and part of the
costume they are wearing if it is relevant. Part
of the background is visible as well which may
also be relevant.
A tripod is usually used to shoot
interviews as it is stable and keeps the
camera still while filming.
11. Sound There are two different types of sound
used in documentaries: diegetic and
non-diegetic.
Diegetic sound is sound that is actually
being recorded there during interviews
or actuality footage. This type of sound
is real and has not been edited into the
documentary.
Non-diegetic sound is sound which
hasn’t been recorded at the same time
as the footage on the screen. This type
of sound has been edited into the
documentary.
Music in the
background of the
documentary.
The voice over or
narration explaining
the footage.
Natural sound in the
setting during footage
as result of the
environment.
The interviewee
talking during
interviews.
12. Mise En Scene
Mise en scene is used to describe the
design aspects of a production. It is the
parts of a documentary which are relevant
to the subject.
Mise en scene is found in interviews as the
interviewee is often wearing clothes which are
either relevant to their profession or related to
the subject of the documentary.
For example, in the documentary ‘The Devil
Made Me Do It’ the interviewees and
participants wear dark, gothic clothing as the
subject is quite dark and topics such as murder
are discussed.
13. Mise En Scene
Additionally, in interviews the setting is
usually relevant to the topic of the
documentary or the profession of the
interviewee.
For example, during an interview with
the producer of ‘Jaws’ there are fishes
and water in the background.
The makeup of the actors and
interviewees is suited to their role which
they play in the documentary.
For example, in ‘The Devil Made
Me Do It’ a lot of heavy black and
white makeup is used as it is very
gothic.
14. Graphics
Graphics are used during interviews to inform the
audience of the name of the interviewee and their
relevance to the documentary. The name is always at the
top and is bigger and bolder. The relevance is underneath
and is smaller than the name. This is conventional for a
documentary.
The font for both the name and the relevance are
the same and are easy to read on the screen. The
font style is often somehow related to the topic of
the documentary.
15. Graphics There are usually graphics used at the beginning of the
documentary which displays the name of the documentary.
The font and style of these graphics is most often linked to
the subject of the documentary to engage the audience at
an early stage.
This style of graphics is used to advertise
the documentary as it reminds the
audience of what it is called. This catches
their eye and gets them hooked.
16. Graphics
At the end of the documentary, the end credits are
displayed to tell the audience information such as who the
producer of the documentary is, who it guest stars, who the
camera crew is etc.
17. Editing Editing is used for continuity and to link
together images which support the
argument put forward in the voice over.
Different transitions are used to
link together actuality footage,
archive footage and interviews.
The most common transition used
is cut aways to hide jump cuts in
interviews.
There is usually a sound bridge which
continues playing underneath interviews
and other footage. This is used to link
footage together and the song is often
linked to the subject of the documentary or
the topic of the interview.
