Conventions of a Documentary

1. Conventions of a
Documentary

2. The purpose of a documentary is to present
information about a factual, central topic. Different
documentaries will have different aims according to
their purpose. They will usually create and convey a
certain issue or opinion and illustrate two sides of an
argument which creates public interest.

3. Actuality
 Actuality is real film or photographic footage of
events, people and places; this is opposed to fictional
films which will be scripted and use actors. Most
documentaries will use a mixture of actuality and
staged scenes. An example of actuality would be in a
documentary by David Attenborough, who films
nature running its true course.

4. Exposition
 The exposition often occurs at the beginning of the
documentary and will introduce the themes of the
film. It will usually explain the different arguments
and have several montages of different shots to
clarify the arguments and segmented points of view.

5. Voiceover
 A voiceover is commentary which is made by the film
maker. A voiceover can be used during filming, or put
over a soundtrack whilst the visuals commence. The
voiceover adds to the argument and can offer
opinions and provide information to help the
audience understand what is happening. Someone
who often uses voiceovers in their documentaries is
Michael Moore and it is a consistent feature in his
work.

6. Interviews
 Interviews are added to give and expert or public
opinion on the matter. Expert interviews usually give
trustworthy information or opinions and usually work
closely to the topic of the documentary. Vox pop
interviews (from the general public) give a broad and
general view of the subject and usually create a
relaxed view for the audience that helps them relate
to the subject.

7. Archival Footage
 This involves old footage or footage from previous
events that gives us a point of view from historical
terms and can also show a factual piece of
information that has happened in the past. A
documentary about war would often include archival
footage of battlefields or life during the war as solid
primary evidence.

8. Reconstructions
 Reconstructions are artificially developed scenes
which construct a real life event after it has
happened. Reconstructions provide the audience
with a sense of realism as usually there is no real
evidence or footage from the event at the time.
Often, documentaries that are based on heavy or
sensitive subjects such as murder will use
reconstructions as there is no real footage of the
murder taking place.

9. General Conventions of a
Documentary
 Heavily narrated
 Definite beginning, middle and end
 Strong focus on the conflict
 Include music and sound effects