This document outlines various codes and conventions used in documentary filmmaking. It discusses the typical narrative structure of documentaries being single-stranded with themes throughout. It also describes common camerawork techniques like establishing shots, interviews filmed in close-up or medium close-up usually framed on the left or right side. Sound, mise-en-scene, graphics, archive material, and editing conventions are also outlined such as using relevant backgrounds, music to set the scene, white text for titles, and cuts being the most common type of edit. The document provides an overview of technical and stylistic elements frequently employed in documentary films.

1. CODES AND CONVENTIONS
OF DOCUMENTARIES
Emma Riddiough

2. Narrative Structure
 Nearly all the documentaries are single stranded
 There are themes that run through the documentary
 Voice over holds narrative together but also creates
meaning for the audience

3. Camerawork
 Establishing shots are used to anchor the meaning of the
documentary
 Interviews are filmed in close up, medium close up or
sometimes in big close ups; and are framed to the left or right
of the screen
 Handheld camerawork is used to show actuality
footage, adding to the atmosphere of what they’re talking
about
 Interviews follow the rule of thirds
 A variety of camera shots and angles are used
 Creative camerawork
 Zooms and panning shots used to show still images

4. Voice Over
 Anchors meaning
 Offers various facts and figures allowing the audience to
form opinions
 Voice over – gender /age is relevant to the topic; e.g. it
has to appeal to the target audience
 Holds the narrative together
 Standard English is used; e.g. normally calm and clear

5. Mise-en-scene
 Use of chromakey makes the background of the
interviews relevant
 Interviews – backgrounds are relevant to either the
subject or the person who’s being interviewed
 Lighting is creative
 Background – needs to be relevant and has to fit in with
the subject; e.g. location
 The clothing that the interviewee/person who’s being
filmed has to have relevance to the topic

6. Sound
 Has to have relevance to the topic
 Used to highten the emotion or to build the narrative
 Music/Background noise helps to set the scene
 Voice over or Narrator is used
 Special effects are used in reconstruction
 Questions edited out of interviews

7. Graphics
 White text is often used as it stands out
 Title stands out (bold) and is unique, as it helps reflects the
topic/ subject
 Credits scroll up the screen; e.g. pays tribute to the archive
footage and material that's been used
 Titles used in interviews anchors who they are and the
relevance they have to a documentary; e.g. usually shown on
the opposite side of the screen
 Anchor's time

8. Archive Material
 Can be accompanied by music; e.g. sound bed, under
visuals
 Always relevant to the topic
 Good variety can be used; e.g. films, videos, tv clips,
newspapers, photos
 Can zoom/pan over archive materials
 Voice over anchors the meaning of the documentary
together, whilst explaining what it is

9. Editing
 Cuts are most commonly used
 Dissolves
 Slow and Fast motion aids in emphasising the
atmosphere
 Interviews are normally one to two minutes at a time
 Montage editing
 Effect are used; e.g. fade to black/ elliptical editing