The document outlines three approaches to documentary structure: observational documentary, standard documentary, and documentary drama. Observational documentaries do not involve interaction with subjects and allow visuals to tell the story. Standard documentaries can include interviews and narration to interpret events. Documentary dramas use reconstructions and actors to tell the truth when actual footage is unavailable.

1. Documentary structure Documentaries follow 3 basic approaches Observational documentary Standard Documentary drama

2. Observational documentary In its purest form the crew do not interact at all with the subject. The most common forms are nature programmes or those of an anthropological nature. The observational documentary refuses the use of a narrator explaining events, preferring to allow the visual material to tell its own story.

3. Observational documentary It creates the impression that events are unfolding naturally in front of the camera. In direct cinema, the documentary makers attempt to remain invisible, observing but never interfering with the action. In cinema verite mode, the presence of a camera and crew is recognised by the participants, who may be asked to answer questions from the crew or to address the camera directly (for example, TV programmes like Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares or Wife Swap). Here the subjects speak directly to the camera or crew about their feelings.

4. Standard documentary Interviews, voice-overs, even confrontation can come together in this format.. This type of documentary often uses a narrator to address the audience directly and to present an explanation, interpreting what they are seeing on screen. This is one of the oldest forms of documentary and one of the most established conventions. Programmes such as Big Brother still use this type of voice-over narration, in order to interpret and explain the material we are watching.

5. Standard documentary We are expected to trust the narration as the truth about the subject whether we see the narrator or not. On occasions, the narration of a documentary is shared between a number of people, as experts, witnesses or participants, or talking heads, as they are known. This approach is often used in programmes such as BBC’s Wonderland and also programmes like Crimewatch, where a number of different perspectives on a single incident are available.

6. Drama documentary Uses reconstructions to tell the truth, common in disaster or history documentaries where actual footage is unavailable. This is one of the most controversial areas of documentary and one of the most difficult to define. This mode generally involves the dramatic reconstruction of real events, using actors (or occasionally the original participants) employing the style and form of fictional film or television.

7. Drama documentary It is generally used when there is no way of gaining access to original material or when there is a need to make that material more persuasive or more striking. Drama-documentaries have always been controversial because of the ways in which they openly mix fact and fiction in order to gain an audience .

8. The Proposal A synopsis This should be a brief outline of your idea. Sum up the idea in one sentence (make it interesting). 1-2 pages covering aspects such as the story, why it is appealing, the angle you are taking, contributors involved and what their story is. You could also include aspects relating to shooting or editing style if you wished although this would also be covered in the treatment.