This document provides instructions for an advanced portfolio assignment on exploring documentary conventions through analyzing real media texts. Students are asked to create a 5-minute extract of an original television documentary and submit it with marketing materials. They are also asked to film a "Top 5 Documentaries" video discussing their research on documentaries to get comfortable speaking on camera. The document reviews different documentary types and conventions and encourages students to consider how documentaries target and appeal to audiences. It includes examples of presenters to study and tips for speaking confidently and naturally on camera.

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Introduction to the
Advanced Portfolio
Learning Objective: Am I able to explore
documentary conventions within real media
texts?

2. +
Your brief
 To make a five-minute extract of an original
television documentary, to be submitted with two of
the following:
1) A 30-second radio advert for your documentary
2) A newspaper advert for your documentary
3) A double-page spread about your documentary,
from a TV listings magazine.

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Research – Real Media
 Yup, this again…but MORE!
 This time you are going to film you talking about your
real media research, as a ‘Top 5 Documentaries’
video.
 The purpose of this is to get used to talking in from
of the camera naturally. A new requirement from the
exam board…

4. +
Getting Used to the Camera
 The point of this task – as well as successfully completing your
research – is to get used to creating a confident video diary.
 When you produce your evaluation you must be confident and clear
throughout your evaluation. The challenge you need to master is NOT
READING OFF THE SCREEN/A SCRIPT WHILST FILMING.
 If you look like you are reading from a script for the main task
evaluation you will be marked down. It might feel cheesy, but you must
be able to discuss your work as if you are having a conversation, not
reading off a sheet of paper.
 A tip is imagine you are talking to one person about your work – they
know nothing about media studies so you must be approachable and
explain it to them step-by-step.

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Look at the experts…
 Have a look at these presenters talking to the camera…they
will have prepared and practised ahead of filming. So appear
natural and not stilted when speaking.
 Brian Cox - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOqR1Csv7yg
 Charlie Brooker -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8MjoB3vgv8
 Homes Under the Hammer -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNEPySNs14

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Conventions refresher
Can you recall any general
documentary conventions?

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Documentary Conventions
 Voiceover – Usually authoritative – allows audience to assume
they are an expert on subject or that they’re opinion is the
‘right’ one.
 ‘Actual’ Footage – Documentary is non-fiction so must include
footage which has captured reality in some way. The audience
must believe they are watching a ‘real’ event.
 ‘Natural’ Lighting and Sound – build up sense of reality.
 Archive footage – Aids authenticity and provides additional
information.

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Documentary Conventions
 Interviews with ‘experts’ – May contradict the overall view of
the documentary but can be quickly contradicted by the docu’s
‘voice’.
 Use of titles – Reveals time, dates and locations quickly.
 Sound – Non-diegetic sound provides flow between scenes but
helps to further influence audience at particular moments.
 Editing and camera – Capture emotions of situations but used
in a way to influence audiences POV. Use of continuity editing.

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Documentary types…
Can you remember what each type of
documentary is like? What is their purpose?
① Reflexive
② Expository
③ Observational
④ Participatory
⑤ Performative
Can you think
of any real
documentary
examples?

10. +
Top Five Challenge
You will need to research (watch) five
different documentaries and analyse:
① What type of documentary it is
② How it follows/break conventions
③ Who is the target audience? How does the
documentary appeal to them? Effect them?