CONVENTIONS OF A DOCUMENTARY

Precious

WHAT IS A DOCUMENTARY?

A documentary is a film/ story that provides factual report on a particular subject. This can be done by using pictures and videos with people involved in the real event.

CONVENTIONS

Voiceovers – unseen commentator that explains/ tells a story during a documentary this encourages the audience to believe in what they say

Images are used to illustrate the voiceovers

Real footages (of events) – real people are involved not actors e.g. London riots

Interviews - people speak about events encouraged by specific questions. This gives a sense of realism especially interviews with experts.

Text – new documentaries tend to use text as a quick way to convey information

Realism – this comes through archive footage, interviews, location shootings e.g. Nick Broomfield’s Biggie and Tupac. The film can be shaped in an argument or a narrative

Hand – held camera

CONVENTIONS Natural light

Indistinct sound

Jerky camera movements

Unintended sound

Non – diegetic/diegetic sounds

Mise en scene and props

Can be formal/ informal

Direct/indirect interviews

Montages

Cutaways