1. Codes and
Conventions
of a documentary

2. • Cutaways
• A roll, B roll
• Green, Blue screens (Sometimes used)
• Interviews (Rule of 3rds)
• Voiceover, where relevant to the target audience
• Narrative structure, begins with exposition,
• conflict, solid ending
• Real Facts (Dramatization)
• Reconstructions
• Long Shots, Close Ups
• Cutaways used to entice viewer
• Zooming on important things
• Graphics (Simple, don’t distract the attention)
• Mise en Scene
• Non diegetic sound to create atmosphere, relates to mood
• Sound effects
• Variety of camera angles
• Natural sound
• Experts
• Evidence
• Vox Pops
• No questions visible on screen
• Range of Interviews
• Balanced argument
• Unbiased
• Slow-mo, dramatic scenes