The document discusses several common codes and conventions used in documentaries. It explains that conventions are generally accepted techniques like using upbeat music in horror films. It also discusses two types of codes: technical codes involving equipment and symbolic codes that convey underlying meanings. Some key conventions mentioned include using voiceovers to narrate, documenting truth, conducting interviews, incorporating relevant sounds, and selective editing.

1. Codes and
conventions Of
a documentary
By Ali Cornwall

2. Convention
Conventions are a generally accepted
way of doing something e.g upbeat
enigmatic music in a horror movie

3. Codes
2 Types of codes: Technical & symbolic
Technical – Equipment used to tell the story
in a media text e.g camera work in a film
Symbolic – The underlying meaning of what
we see e.g mise-en-scene of red carpet to
insinuate blood

4. Voice over
 A voice over is usually on top of the
footage to help with the narrative. It
can sometimes be seen as a voice of
God and effectively be unethical as is
can lead to subjectivity of the
audiences’ thoughts. All documentaries
use this convention to link scenes.

5. Documentation of truth
 The main purpose of a documentary is to
document the truth. People relay on a
documentary to educate them on the
truth of a subject and allow the
audience to make an opinion based
on the footage.

6. Interviews
Interviews are a common convention in a documentary. The
interviewee is usually shot using the rule of thirds and close up
shots. The person in shot is generally on the left or right side of the
screen and is not moving. Chromakey is normally used, or a
background with relevance to the subject of the documentary of
relevant to the interviewee is situated behind them. The
interviewee are suppose to be looking at the interviewer and not
the camera.

7. Sound
Relevant sound bridges are a generic
convention in documentaries. They bridge
1 scene to another to allow continuity in
the narrative .
Ambient sounds are present in the
background of interviews or voice overs to
reinforce the representation of reality
Music is usually used to provoke an
emotional response from viewers

8. Editing
 Selective editing is something all documentary
makers use no matter what mode. However this is
arguably sparks ethical and political debates. It
potentially emphasise the impression of subjectivity
leading to an untruthful unethical documentary.
 Establishing shots are commonly used to set the
scene of the documentary.
 Handheld cams are used to simulate the impression
of reality and truthfulness.
 Intercutting/parallel editing is used normally in
interviews to give examples of what they are
talking about or to cut away to archive footage.

9. Summary conventions
Voice over
Documentation of truth
Talking to experts
Interviews
Sound bridges
Mise-en-scene that fit the shot
Handheld cam
Mode of address
Vox pops
Re-enactments – incorporated actors
Intercutting/parallel editing
Selective editing
Establishing shot
Investigativated
Start with microcosm
Use of titles

10. Summary conventions
Voice over
Documentation of truth
Talking to experts
Interviews
Sound bridges
Mise-en-scene that fit the shot
Handheld cam
Mode of address
Vox pops
Re-enactments – incorporated actors
Intercutting/parallel editing
Selective editing
Establishing shot
Investigativated
Start with microcosm
Use of titles