A documentary uses a voice over narration to provide context and commentary on current events being filmed without revealing the identity of the narrator. There are different styles of documentary filming including direct cinema which uses no narration and just observes subjects, and cinema verité which is a French style that is the truest form of observation without commentary. Mixed documentaries incorporate a variety of elements like interviews, observations, archival footage, and narration to tell a story based on real events and people in a particular location over a period of time.

2. A voice over the documentary explaining
current events, you cannot see the person
who is talking over, creating a sense of
authority and often uses direct address.

3. An unannounced observer of a particular
situation. There are different types of fly on
the wall documentaries, these include;
direct cinema, which is from the USA and
cinema verité is french, this is based on the
truest form with no commentary or
narration, this was based on just observing,
however this is still edited.

4. This is a television film based on real events
which is reanacted.

5. Mixed documentaries include a range of
different features such as interviews,
observations, actuality footage, archive
material and narration.

6. This is when the camera is acknowledged
by those who are being filmed, often they
speak to the film maker or camera.

7. A documentary following people in a
particular occupation location over a
period of time, can be seen as
eavesdropping and is usually aimed at
entertaining the audience.