documentary conventions

1. Conventions of a
Documentary

2. The purpose of a documentary is to present
information about a factual, central topic. Different
documentaries will have different aims according to
their purpose. They will usually create and convey a
certain issue or opinion and illustrate two sides of an
argument which creates public interest.

3.  Actuality is real film or photographic footage of events,
people and places; this is opposed to fictional films which
will be scripted and use actors. Most documentaries will
use a mixture of actuality and staged scenes. An example
of actuality would be in a documentary by David
Attenborough, who films nature running its true course. In
our documentary, we would like to include actuality
footage, and this could be in the form of students walking
down corridors or working in the library, as this is real life
events taking place naturally.
Actuality

4.  The exposition often occurs at the beginning of the
documentary and will introduce the themes of the
film. It will usually explain the different arguments
and have several montages of different shots to
clarify the arguments and segmented points of view.
Exposition

5.  A voiceover is commentary which is made by the film
maker. A voiceover can be used during filming, or put over
a soundtrack whilst the visuals commence. The voiceover
adds to the argument and can offer opinions and provide
information to help the audience understand what is
happening. Someone who often uses voiceovers in their
documentaries is Michael Moore and it is a consistent
feature in his work. We think that a voiceover is essential in
a documentary and is used in the most successful ones,
therefore we will definitely record a voiceover with a script
to put in our documentary and allow the audience to know
what is going on in the shots.
Voiceover

6.  Interviews are added to give and expert or public opinion
on the matter. Expert interviews usually give trustworthy
information or opinions and usually work closely to the
topic of the documentary. Vox pop interviews (from the
general public) give a broad and general view of the
subject and usually create a relaxed view for the audience
that helps them relate to the subject. Both vox pop and
expert interviews appeal to us when considering our
documentary, and they help to give a balanced view of
several peoples opinions and inform the audience of the
different ideas people have about exams.
Interviews

7.  This involves old footage or footage from previous
events that gives us a point of view from historical
terms and can also show a factual piece of
information that has happened in the past. A
documentary about war would often include archival
footage of battlefields or life during the war as solid
primary evidence.
Archival Footage

8.  Reconstructions are artificially developed scenes which
construct a real life event after it has happened.
Reconstructions provide the audience with a sense of
realism as usually there is no real evidence or footage from
the event at the time. Often, documentaries that are based
on heavy or sensitive subjects such as murder will use
reconstructions as there is no real footage of the murder
taking place. We are considering reconstructing an exam
situation, as this will help contribute to the actuality and
will be something to contextualise the documentary.
Reconstructions

9.  Heavily narrated
 Definite beginning, middle and end
 Strong focus on the conflict
 Include music and sound effects
General Conventions of a
Documentary