This document discusses common documentary conventions such as establishing shots to introduce themes, voiceovers for commentary, interviews to provide realism, reconstructions to visualize stories, and montages to show changes in time or place through sequenced shots. These conventions are typical techniques used in documentaries to inform audiences.

1. Documentary conventions
Skateboarding documentary - PUSH

2. Exposition
This establishing shot shows a skateboarder riding down the street. This introduces the key
theme of the documentary showing it is about skateboarding. This is a typical convention of
documentaries.

3. Voiceover
Voiceovers are another typical convention of documentaries.
They are commentaries made by the film maker or a character
– this is spoken while the camera is filming or added to the
sound track in post-production.

4. Interviews
Interviews are used within documentaries to give the viewer a sense of realism. They
can be filmed onscreen, off screen or on another set.

5. Reconstructions
Reconstructions are another convention which can be featured in a documentary. They
can enhance the documentary giving the audience a visual image to a story. This will
enable the audience to fully understand what the film-maker is saying.

6. Montage
A narrative montage involve the planning of a sequence of shots. These allow
the audience to visually see a change in time or place.
Ideational montages link actions with words and are often used in
documentaries.