This document discusses conventions for advertising documentaries on television. It provides examples of documentary advertisements from Channel 4 and Channel 5 that demonstrate typical design elements. These include using large images related to the documentary topic, minimal text focusing on title, time and description, and incorporating the channel's logo and color scheme. The document also notes that these conventions should be considered when creating an advertisement for a documentary to appeal to a wide audience.

1. Research and
Planning

2. Conventions of documentary
Advertising
Channel logo
Main image
Programme title –
Usually
highlighted with
different font or
colour
Slogan (often a
pun)/description of
the programme
Minimum amount of
text – appeals to
audience
Advertisement in
newspapers, magazines,
billboards and leaflets have
typical codes and
conventions. We would have
to take this into
consideration when creating
our own double page
advertising our
documentary.

3. Large logo of
channel 5 –
advertising the
channel it will be
on.
Red colour
scheme to
go with the
channel 5
logo.
Different coloured
text – Separating
the title and the
time. Red
coloured text on
time – could
symbolize the
genre of the
documentary.
Includes a pun – play
on words to grab the
attention of the
audience. People
need their 5 a day
(fruit) so they are
trying to advertise 5
documentaries as
needing to be
watched –
Persuasion.
Advertises 5
documentaries
and the top
one to watch –
Only
information
provided is the
time and title.
Large Image seems to
be a clip extracted
from the documentary
and takes up half the
page – brief view of
what it includes.
Banner
includes the
vital
information.
Also
includes two
sentences
saying what
the program
is about.
Channel 5’s top
choice.

4. Who presents
the film
documentary –
small print
The documentary is about
visual pollution caused by
billboards across 11
countries – Using this image
it reflects what the
documentary is going to be
about. The background
colours give the impression
of a beautiful sunrise/sunset
but what looks like black
machinery is getting in the
way – Presenting visual
pollution.
Title in bold
writing, against
contrasting colour.
One single line
to explain what
it is about, so it
allows the
audience to
know if it would
appeal to them.
Small print, with
information about the
background
information of the film
for legal purposes
which wouldn’t appeal
to an audience.
Contrasting documentary
advertisement; as this is
for a film documentary
which would be screened
in a cinema. However by
looking at the layout of the
documentary production it
helps to see how we could
advertise our documentary
to a wide audience.
Title and image are
the main focus of
the advertisement –
image taking up ¾
of the page.

5. Image and
title relating
to the
documentary
Capitals,
bigger font on
important
information –
filmed by and
narrated by
Date/time
when its
showing
Website
providing
more
information
Main image
grabbing
attention

6. Channel 4 Documentaries
O Channel 4 has world-class reputation in
Documentaries based on its history of
exposing bold subjects to its audiences. It has
been know for its significant documentary
ideas which bring controversial ideas, which
other channels have not have been brave
enough to try. Channel 4 is a channel to take
into consideration when looking at which
channel we would want our documentary to
be broadcasted on.
O Documentaries for Our Time - video clip
(embeds available) - Channel 4 - Info - Press

7. Image and Text
The bed reflects what the
documentary is about – ‘the girl
who cannot sleep.’
The sheep links to the
insomnia – the myth of
counting sheep in order
to fall asleep.
Logo of the channel
the documentary is
showing on – links with
the colour scheme.
Pink colour of the bed and
sky – Colour pink
represents the giving and
receiving of nurturing –
Peaceful skills.

8. Channel 4 logo is in
green linking to the
colour of the text box
in right hand corner.
Minimum words –
simple: Title, New
release, Date and
Time.
The image takes up the whole
page – being the main focus. The
stripes give the impression that
time is moving – reflecting upon the
titles ‘Seven days’ suggesting that
the documentary is filmed upon 7
days.
Image and Text

9. Image and Text
Logo and text
box using the
same colour
scheme
Question ‘what's your style?’ –
rhetorically asks the audience a
question, employing them into the
documentary.
Imagery links to what the
documentary is about – makeup
smudged suggesting it’s a
documentary about something which
females and males may be self-
conscious of. Would appeal to the
audience, for people who have
problems they may be embarrassed
about.
Date and time of documentary –
typical convention (informative
information)