Codes and Conventions Francesca Shaw Expository Documentaries Expository

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Codes and Conventions Francesca Shaw

Codes and Conventions Francesca Shaw

Expository Documentaries Expository documentaries are the type that expose a person or a topic.

Expository Documentaries Expository documentaries are the type that expose a person or a topic. It is the ‘classic’ type of documentary. These documentaries are well known for having a commentator talking over the pictures or videos explaining the story. It emphasizes the verbal commentary and argumentative logic often by using a narrator. The main conventions of an expository documentary are the use of narrator (voice of god), continuous running commentary and a detailed narrative to describe what is being shown on the screen. The most well known type of documentaries that use this form are nature documentaries that have their footage recorded then have a well known voice such as ‘David Attenborough’ do a voice over like a running commentary over the top of the footage. A very well known expository film maker is David Attenborough and his nature documentaries. People feel they can relate to these documentaries because they know his voice and feel they can be comfortable to trust what he is saying, almost like the ‘Voice of God’. One of Attenborough’s most recent documentaries ‘Africa’ on bbc 1 is a good example of this form, it belongs in this category because it includes the captured footage of the animals roaming free and the different animals in the wild then with David Attenborough’s narrative placed on top.

Observational Documentaries Observation documentaries are best describes as your typical ‘Fly on the Wall’

Observational Documentaries Observation documentaries are best describes as your typical ‘Fly on the Wall’ type style. Its where a film maker attempts to capture as well as possible their topic of discussion in their natural habitat. The only way these documentaries can work well is if the film maker remains hidden behind the camera and doesn’t intervene or interrupt anything that goes on in front of the camera. Most of time these documentaries are never staged or planned because you filming a subjects day to day life as it happens so more often than not camera work can come out shaky or even wobbly. A good example of a observational documentary would be the popular show ‘Meerkat Manor’ as this shows a first hand look at Meerkats in the natural habitat without any crew or people stepping in, whatever happens. More often than not these documentaries are based on nature and can be very sad because there is no sugar coating what goes on in the wild so some more graphic shows will show upsetting images of animals being eaten by other animals etc.

Interactive Documentaries This type of documentary is similar to the observational mode but is

Interactive Documentaries This type of documentary is similar to the observational mode but is different in the fact that the interactive mode welcomes a direct engagement between the film maker and the subject so this means the film maker becomes part of the events being filmed. The main conventions of the this form of documentary are the fact that the film makers impact on the events being recorded is acknowledged and often celebrated. A film maker who often uses this type of documentary is ‘Michael Moore’ and one that particularly sticks out in this form of documentary is one of his most well known films ‘ Bowling for Columbine’. This documentary falls into this category because it shows the film maker and his crew interacting with people that have been effected and they have direct engagements with Michael himself and his crew.

Reflexive Documentaries The documentary mode acknowledges the ‘Constructed nature of the documentary’. It tries

Reflexive Documentaries The documentary mode acknowledges the ‘Constructed nature of the documentary’. It tries to convey to people that this documentary may not be the full truth but a certain reconstructed version of the truth. The main convention of a Reflexive documentary is that the editing and sound recordings are all exposed to the audience so they are fully aware of the fact it is an edited version of the truth. A good example of a reflexive documentary is Nick Broomsfield’s documentary on Aileen Wuronos ‘Life and Death of a serial Killer’ which shows the information on the background about the facts of Aileens life but also that of you can see reconstructed clips that have been edited for the viewers pleasure. Another good film maker that falls into this category is ‘Louis Theroux’ who’s documentaries are also under the same lines as the Aileen documentary because his work shows also the use of him interacting with his topics and most of the time the subjects are controversial.

Performative Documentaries This Performative mode is where the film maker participates in whatever the

Performative Documentaries This Performative mode is where the film maker participates in whatever the topic of the documentary is. This mode of documentary emphasizes the ‘subject nature of the documentarian’. The main codes and conventions for this mode are that it emphasizes the emotional and social impact on the audience. The best example of a documentary that falls into this category is Morgan Spurlock’s ‘Supersize me’. This is a prime example of a performative documentary because it involves The film maker (Morgan) actually taking part in the documentary which happens to be eating Mac. Donald's for 30 days. It shows him taking part in what they speak about at the beginning of the film.

Realism documentaries are where film makers create a documentary that is made to try

Realism documentaries are where film makers create a documentary that is made to try and change the opinion of the viewer. A good example of a realism documentary is the Channel 4’s one Born every minute because it shows a real look into peoples lives during their most emotional times. One born every minute is good example of a realism documentary because it shows nothing has been altered and its only true emotions being shown.

Dramatization A dramatization or otherwise known as a Docu-drama is a genre of radio

Dramatization A dramatization or otherwise known as a Docu-drama is a genre of radio or television which features dramatized re-enactments of actual events. These documentaries tend to give the viewer a historical fact to work from and then use the idea of dramatization to enhance the storyline of the documentary. The most well known codes/ conventions for this type of documentary are that of they tend to use historical facts, focus on the facts of the events that have gone on and the use of a strong and detailed narrative to pad out around the use of the historical facts. An example of a docudrama is a programe on ITV 1 called ‘Whitechapel’ which took facts from the murders which took place in the time of jack the ripper and through the use of actors and a well scripted narrative to create an interesting documentary.

Narrativisation The traditional style for a narrative documentary is that of they have a

Narrativisation The traditional style for a narrative documentary is that of they have a dedicated narrator read a script which is then placed on the audio script. This is very important to have within a documentary because without a good narrative the audience can feel very confused. Most narrative documentaries will start with a rhetorical question then lead on making you think throughout then finally a conclusion. These documentaries are used to explain and show a topic in deep detail.