Codes and conventions of a documentary

2.  An unseen commentator who narrates
the events or arguments as they
happen. They may often directly address
the reader which draws the reader in
and creates a sense of involvement
Would be used in:
-Fully narrated documentary
-Mixed documentary
-Self-reflective documentary
-Docudrama
-Docusoap

3. ACTUALITY FOOTAGE ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE BACKGROUND
FOOTAGE
•Actuality footage is
footage of real life
events as they really
happened including
the actual people
involved – not actors.
•This is important in a
documentary as they
are non-fiction and
are meant to
investigate/present
truthful information to
their audience.
This is real-life footage
that usually shows
historical events e.g.
old interviews.
This would be footage
filmed by the
documentary maker
to fill in gaps of the
documentary, but
which would still relate
to the
argument/event.

4. INTERVIEWS VOXPOPS
Documentaries will usually have
an interview with an expert
who will either contradict the
argument of the documentary
or will support it
These are popular opinions
represented by informal
comments from members of
the public. These will usually be
short clips and documentaries
would usually contain more
than 1.
Would be used in:
-Fully narrated documentary
-Mixed documentary
-Self-reflective documentary
-Docudrama
-Docusoap
Would be used in:
-Fully narrated documentary
-Mixed documentary
-Self-reflective documentary
-Docudrama

5.  This can come in the form of background
music to send a hidden message to the
reader through the lyrics, or to make the
documentary more interesting. It would
more than often relate to the
events/arguments being presented.
 It could also come in the form of sound
effects to emphasise certain things to the
audience.

6.  The text would often anchor an image
and be information such as dates, times
or names. It is a quick way to convey
small but important pieces of information
to the audience.

7.  This is a key feature of a documentary
and is the reconstruction of an event.
This helps the audience to understand
the event better and therefore helps
them to develop their own personal
opinions.
Would be used in:
-Fully narrated documentary
-Mixed documentary
-Docudrama

8.  Exposition is another key feature of a
documentary and is a comprehensive
description and explanation of an idea
or theory. It introduces important
background information.

9.  This is when someone or something is
closely observed – usually the
thing/person that the documentary is
based around
Would be used in:
-Fully narrated documentary
-Mixed documentary
-Self-reflective documentary
-Docudrama
-Docusoap
-Fly on the wall

10.  This is the mise-en-scene that is included in
the documentary e.g. Props, background,
clothing, appearance, location.
 The mise-en-scene can affect the
audiences opinions, e.g. If a scientist is
being interviewed in a lab rather than in a
casual setting, we believe they are more
professional and are more inclined to
believe/agree with what they are saying

11.  Gatekeeping is the selection or rejection
of information for inclusion in the
text/documentary etc.
 It is the process of choosing the most
relevant information to fulfil its purpose.

12.  Documentaries are a representational
medium: they record and occasionally
reconstruct the everyday reality viewers
typically cannot experience themselves.
Audiences understand the documentary as
a moving photograph to signify the truth.
 Construction of reality draws the audience
into an everyday reality that seemingly
does not need to be questioned.