The documentary "Go Back Where You Came From" uses several techniques to effectively tell a story and influence the audience's perspectives. These include using archival footage to add credibility and context, voiceover narration to guide the audience, and first-hand interviews that provide authentic experiences. Locations were also filmed on-site to connect viewers visually to the actual settings discussed.

1. DOCUMENTARIES
TECHNIQUES AND EFFECTS USED IN
“GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM”

2. ARCHIVE FOOTAGE
• The archive or archives are a collection of
documents and records that contain historical
information. Archival film footage shows true and
real images that have been recorded. The footage
has not been „created‟ or „staged‟.
• Effect: using ‘archival footage’ adds history and
factual ‘footage’ to an argument or point of view.
This adds credibility to the documentary.
• The documentary shows clips of archival footage
from various news reports in the opening montage
of episode 1as well as footage of the refugee boat
wrecked of Christmas Island. What is the effect?

3. EXAMPLE WHY PARAGRAPH
• The composer, Dr David Corlett, planned to make
the audience reconsider the validity of their views
on refugees. In order to do so he inserted clips of
archival footage from various news reports into the
opening montage of episode 1, as well as footage
of the refugee boat wrecked of Christmas Island.
These include close-ups of politicians discussing the
refugee issue and graphic images of destruction
and terror. The effect is to alert viewers to the
conflicting perspectives the community holds on
this issue and make the documentary seem
grounded in reality.

4. NARRATION
• The person who narrates a film or programme
speaks the words which accompany the pictures,
but does not always appear in it. Sometimes the
narration is done with a “voice over” sound track.
• Effect: The narrator leads the audience through the
information/facts/topics of the documentary and
provide insight for persuasion.
• The documentary uses voice-over narration as we
follow the 2 groups through their experiences.
• What is the effect of this?

5. GRAPHICS
• Graphics are images, pictures, maps, graphs,
symbols and visual prompts which engage and
connect with the audience.
• Effect: graphics provide visual prompts and
evidence for the audience to quickly and easily
understand and interpret. They can clarify
information (eg. Graphs)or add depth for the
viewer to understand the topic more fully.
• Were there any graphics other than film footage
used?

6. FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT/INTERVIEW
• When a person is asked a series of questions
regarding a topic, incident or field of expertise. A
first-hand account refers to a witness or observer
reflecting on an experience or event.
• Effect: Adds weight and clarity to an argument or
point of view. Provides the documentary with
authenticity if a ‘expert’ is being interviewed.
• Both the participants and refugees are asked
questions about their experiences and how these
have affected them.
• How does this influence the audience’s
understanding?

7. EXPERT OPINION/VIEW
• When a expert gives their opinion or view on a
specific topic or event. (Example: a medical
documentary would interview various doctors, a
sporting documentary would interview past players
or coaches)
• Effect: Adds authenticity and ‘knowledge’ to the
documentary, as ‘experts’ are trustworthy and
believable.
• Were any experts interviewed in this Documentary?
• What about Dr David Corlett?

8. CAMERA ANGLES AND SHOTS
• Various techniques used to „display‟ appropriate
footage and images which are being shown to the
audience.
• Effect: Allows the audience to connect to the
footage through various techniques and angles.
Allows the audience to be shown exactly what the
director wants, often allowing the director to
persuade the audience to share his point of view.
• List 2 or 3 images or scenes which you thought were
particularly effective? Which shots/ angles were
used? What was the effect of these?

9. ON-LOCATION
• When filming is conducted at a specific location
which connects to the topic or event.
• Effect: Allows the audience a visual image of the
actual setting, and makes a further connection to
the storyline, persuasion or event.
• Much of this documentary was filmed on-location.
Which were the main locations? Why were these
chosen? How did they help make the documentary
effective?