Mockumentaries aim to satirize their subject matter by mimicking the style of documentaries. To achieve this, they employ several conventions: using natural lighting and avoiding still shots to make footage seem realistic; following the rule of thirds in interview sequences; including a calm narrator "voice of God"; and incorporating comedic skits to give glimpses into the protagonist's life. By including these four conventions - natural lighting, interviews, narration, and skits - a film can properly be classified as a mockumentary.

1. Conventions of a
Mockumentary

2. Firstly, what is a mockumentary?
A mockumentary is a genre of television and film which takes on the
form of a documentary in order to satirize its subject.

3. Cinematography
The footage must look as real as possible.
The most effective way for me to do this is to use natural lighting and
not too many still shots.
Natural Lighting Flash Photography Sun as rim light

4. Cinematography
Long SideShort Side
Interviews and the rule of thirds:
In most documentaries there are interview sequences with some of the cast. The rule of thirds is a
cinematography technique which states that the person in frame must be within one to two thirds of the
screen. With an interview sequence, the person in frame must be either be mainly on the right or left
third of the screen.

5. Narration
Documentaries often have a “voice of God”, some popular examples of this include
David Attenborough, Morgan Freeman. These people often have very calming
voices which help tell story of the documentary.

6. Skit
More on the mockumentary side, but in the story of my
mockumentary, I will have multiple skits going on. These are comedic
short stories which show the audience a small glimpse into the life of
the protagonist.

7. To conclude…
These 4 conventions will be the backbone of my mockumentary. As
long as I have natural lighting, interview sequences, narration, and
skits. I will include all of these in order to classify my piece as a
mockumentary.