Codes and Conventions of a Documentary

Narrative Structure
-Open, closed or circular
-Linear or Non-Linear (non-linear seems more common as it allows flashbacks and other editing use)
- Most commonly single strand narrative

Camerawork
Interviews – framing to left or right
- Close up or medium close up
Handheld – actuality footage
Variety of shot types and camera movement used to sustain the audiences attention
Panning
Zoom (on still images)

Mise-En-Scene
Background of interview
- Location
- Backdrop
- Chromakey
- Anchors the person to the subject matter
- Lighting can be used creatively

Sound
Voice Over
- Standard English
- Glue that holds the narrative together
- Age and gender sometimes reflects the topic of documentary
- Sets the scene. Introduces the topic
- Concludes the narrative
Music is used as a bed (music bed) –
- Relevant to the topic
- Heightens emotion
Interviews
- all questions edited out
- background noise on interview kept to a minimum
- sound effects used in reconstructions

Editing
Cut is the most commonly used edit
Dissolve can be used
Editing effects kept to a minimum to kept attention on subject
Fades to and from black – commonly show passage of time
Montage’s used to give the audience a flavour of what the programme is about.

Archive Material
Film
Music videos
T.V
Newspaper
Audio
Websites
Still images

All the above should be relevant to what is specifically being talked about that the time.

Graphics
Title is in some ways unique
Names and relevance to topic anchors who interviewees are
Top line (name) of the graphics is bigger than subtitles
Graphics are kept simple as to not distract attention
Credits
Can be used to anchor a period of time (e.g. May 1991)
Subtitles (translation)