Research into the Codes and Conventions of Documentaries

Expository

• Voice of God narration which talks at the viewer as if they were there.
• Voice over anchors what the images on the screen show so that they viewers can follow the documentary.
• The narrator's speech is backed up with images to show what he means.
• These documentaries are normally about an issue or a recent affair that needs covering in detail.
• They are usually an hour long.
• An example of this type of documentary is "The Devil Made Me Do It."

Observational

• Often known as a "Fly on the Wall" documentary.
• Avoids voice overs or commentary and the camera is as out-the-way as possible but not always hidden from sight.
• It normally means that the viewers are seeing it as its happening without it being edited or changed in any way. This is shown by having some really long shots.
• The people in the documentary do not speak directly to the camera. Its like they don't know that the camera is there.
• The main event that the documentary usually unfolds in front of the camera.
• This style dominates TV documentaries.

Docusoaps

• Prioritisation of entertainment over social commentary sets these documentaries apart from any others.
• Examples of Docusoaps are "Airport", "Driving School" and " A Life of Grime".
• Docusoaps were able to be made due to lightweight camera equipment which meant they could be carried round easily and catch any action with ease.
• Docusoaps almost have a soap like structure. Meaning they have several story lines going at once.
• The genre does not tell us anything that is going on in the world, just about the people are being filmed.
• This is also known as "Tongue and Cheek" entertainment.

Reality TV

• This is sometimes also known as "infotainment" as it combines entertainment and useful information.
• Examples of reality TV are "Castaway" and "Big Brother".

Interactive

• The genre acknowledges the presence pf both the camera crew and the audience.
• The audience is given constant reminders that there are various different view points in the programme.

Drama Documentary

• There are quite a lot of re-enactments in these documentaries to show that they have already happened and they haven't got archive footage of what happened.
• Examples of this are "Who Bombed Birmingham?"

Docudrama

• Example "The Office".
• A fictional story that uses the techniques of documentary to reinforce its claim for realism.

Dramadoc

• A documentary reconstruction of actual events using techniques taken from fiction cinema.

Current Affairs

• These are documentaries led by journalists looking to discover an answer to a problem in the world E.g war, politics etc.
• An example is "News Night".
• The topics of discussion have usually happened in that week and are fresh in the news.
• The presenters are normally narrating it but do sometimes come into view in the programme to interview someone or something.

Documentary Dilemmas

• Footage from these documentaries are not normally broadcast without being edited.
• The subject being filmed is in the film makers hands.