The document discusses narrative structure and conventions in documentaries. It explains that documentaries rely on traditional narrative structures, including having a beginning, middle, and end, as well as elements of conflict, sense of movement, music/sound effects, lighting, and visuals. It describes different types of narrative structures like open or closed endings, single or multi-strand plots, and linear or circular chronologies. It also discusses techniques for constructing reality in documentaries and how gatekeeping and selection of information can impact objectivity.

1. Post Title - Narrative
Structure

2. Supporting and Structuring a
Documentary
 Narrative Conventions: Documentaries rely heavily on traditional conventions of a
narrative. There should be a structure accompanied with a variety of other
conventions
1. The beginning
2. The middle
3. The end
4. Conflict
5. Sense of movement
6. Music and SFX
7. Lighting
8. Construction of reality
9. Visuals

3. Narrative structure
Open - The audiences is left to make their own mind up at the end
Closed - There is a definite ending and outcome
Single Strand - There is only one main plot throughout
Multistrand - There are many subplots which interweave
Linear - It is in chronological order. Time is disrupted in the same
way e.g. via flashbacks
Circular - There is a question at the start which is revisited at the
end. Circular narratives can tie in with open narratives
Construction of Reality – the documentary is edited for the
audience but still looks real.
Gatekeeping – the selection and rejection of information by editors
or producers.
Voxpops – Vox pop is short for vox populi or voice of the people.

4. The Beginning, The Middle, The End
Needs to capture the
audiences attention. Central
question of the doc can be
posed at the beginning in an
intriguing way. Quick
interviews capturing conflict
with different people is an
example
Otherwise known as the
complication stage and needs
to be the most compelling and
often examines the issue in
human terms i.e. the focus on
people and their opinions.
Conflict is strengthened to
provide blockages for the
fulfilment of the exposition.
Makes the exposition fully
apparent by the resolution
stage. The audience by
this time has no doubts
what the argument is
saying.

5. Conflict
 Can be between people with different beliefs, goals,
circumstances or ambitions. Or it can be individual or a
variety of others. Shown developing through different
stages, which allows the documentary to use narrative
technique.

6. Sense of movement
 Can add strength to the narrative elements. The 3 forms
are physical movement, movement in time or
psychological change.

7. Music and SFX
 Sound effective in producing an emotional response in the
audience.

8. Lighting
 If you are trying realism or authenticity poor lighting is
one of the first things to give the game away.

9. Construction of reality
 When watch a documentary you should always ask
yourself not just what they are showing but also question
what they are not showing. This could be due to bias or
preference along with the selection and rejection of
information.

10. Visuals
 What we see in the screen included with Archive footage.
Stock materials are used to support the intended
meaning.