This document discusses the conventions of documentary films. It begins by defining what a documentary is, noting that they focus on real people and events to create a point of view for the audience. Documentaries use techniques like titles, charts, maps and reconstructions to present factual information. They typically only have one camera operator and sound person for mobility. There are three main types of documentaries: compilation films using existing images, interviews that record testimonies, and direct cinema that records events as they happen. Modern documentaries are less scripted and more observational. Common documentary conventions discussed include using archival footage, interviews with subjects, shaky camera work, voiceovers, and reenactments.

1. Conventions of TV
Documentaries.
This project is to assure that we know the
expectations and conventions. Tiara Morris
From this research , I will see if I am using
developing or challenging the conventions of a
documentary based on my idea.

2. What is a Documentary
• What is a documentary?
• Documentaries focus on and question people and real life events by placing the audience in a position to create a point of view about what or who
they are seeing.
• Documentaries produce factual information about the world, we can tell what we are watching is a documentary by the on-screen titles for the name
of a person we are seeing on screen. This makes the audience believe what they are seeing is real and factual.
• A number of devices are used when presenting information E.g. Primary recording of events, Information shown through charts and maps and also
the reconstruction of an event. E.g. Historical.
• So that the crew can stay mobile whilst filming to give a variety of shots, the documentary will only usually consist of one camera operator and a
sound person.
• Documentary Techniques
• There are 3 types of documentary;
• Compilation film - made up of images
• Interview/"Talking heads" - testimonies are recorded about the event
• Direct cinema - event is recorded as a primary source/ when it happens
• Documentaries use narrative form as they tell us a story, this usually shows different characters point of view/tension. The story can be planned or
improvised, use a voice over with interviews or maybe just observe using found footage.
• Modern documentaries are less scripted making today's seem more observational, therefore the audience is put in a more voyeuristic position. E.g.
Big Brother, CCTV.
• Also using parallelism, documentaries ask the audience to draw parallels between characters and situations. (Connect people together by editing
them together.)

3. Conventions of Documentaries
Convention What is it/ Why its Image Example and
used? effectiveness.
Archival Footage and These include ‘old’ images
Photographs , newsreel footage and
possibly shots from fiction
films.
Talking head These people are usually
“interviewees’ in their own environment-
occupational/home or
sometimes on the road.
This is used for people
views and interpretations
on different ideas.
Jiggly Camera Form of re-inforcing
documentary reality.
Voice over narration Usually occurs to explain
a image or whats going on
in the scene
Re enactments Stages real event that has
already happened. Most
of the time it uses actors
and not the original
characters.

4. Film