FACTUAL PROGRAMMING Katie Mckeever DIFFERENT TYPES OF FACTUAL

FACTUAL PROGRAMMING Katie Mckeever

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FACTUAL PROGRAMME Non fictional television programme Actual events and people Documentary- observational Fly on the wall Docudrama- dramatized TV based on real life Reality TV

ISSUES WITHIN FACTUAL PROGRAMMING Accuracy- Ensure the viewer trusts what you are going to say or the points you are trying to get across in the documentary. If you mix up facts or give false information the audience will not trust the points they have been given. Balance- Discussing in the documentary all the different sides to a story is necessary as it gives the viewer balance and the opportunity to make a decision for themselves. This keeps the piece fair and equal. Impartiality- Viewers may want a specific opinion but it is important to explore all opinions equally in order to not appear bias or judgmental. Objectivity- Using all of your research and facts try and give the truest version of the story you wish to tell. Subjectivity- This is the term used when you are giving you own opinion on the topic.

Opinion- Sometimes public opinions on a certain topic will be given to show the audience how different people can perceive different topics and to show a different side to a story than their own. Balance is needed when it comes to giving personal opinions to make sure there is a fair amount of information from all sides. Bias- During a factual programme the producer must explore all different sides to not appear biased or one sided. If someone feels strongly on a topic it is easier for them to appear bias, however this can offend some viewers so producers should avoid this. Representation- If something is constantly portrayed in a certain way it is important to research into how to different ways of looking at the topic as to not appear bias or offensive to the audience. Access- To make a documentary you must first have permission or the piece can not be completed. Make sure you also have access to all the research and resources you will need to produce the piece. Privacy- producers of factual programs will often be asked not to ask for opinions on personal topics as they can be offensive. Contract with viewer- This means that if you claim something about your programme to the audience you must provide this within the piece.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS Studio news readers Person who presents the news on television, radio or online. News readers can work in a TV studio, radio studio or from another kind of recording studio. Studio news readers are the people, usually sitting at a desk, reading the news reports and giving the viewers the facts of certain topics going on in the world. An example of a studio news reader would be Huw Edwards, a BBC news reporter, Journalist and presenter. He is the lead presenter for breaking news in the UK. He currently presents Britain’s most watched news program, BBC News at Ten.

Field Reporters Field reporters, similar to studio news readers are paid to read out the news to the viewers. The difference between field reporters and studio reporters is that field reporters report from outside the studio, usually live from where the issue is coming from. Usually a studio reporter will introduce the field reporter and they will talk about the issue and cover all the information on the topic that the audience may wish to know. This is an example of a field report in Ukraine presented by BCC’s International Presenter, Ian Pannell. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=b. VF 7 U 8 st. RIU

Link to Studio This is where news readers in a studio discuss a news topic with a different news studio. This could be another news studio closer to something that is being reported, an interview with a representative for the sake of more information or debate or linked to a field reporter. A satellite connects the other link to the studio. Links to studios can give more context and detail involving the report. An example of link to studio is BBC as they use links to give more information on a story usually when other studios have an expert on talking about a certain issue of interest at the time. https: //www. bbc. co. uk/news/av/10318089/bbc-news-channel

MODE OF ADDRESS TO VIEWER The mode of address is how is the text or report going to be delivered to the audience. Different types of address can convey the required approach depending on the topic. This can relate to the target audience and what they expect of the channel. Types of Address: Direct mode of address is talking directly to the viewer, using language like “you” Indirect mode of address, more general and less personal using language like “people” or “the public” Formal mode of address is using technical language and facts aimed at the audience Informal mode of address could be used for a less serious topic, the reporter

INTERVIEWING Interviewing is used a lot in news pieces. Interviews allows the journalist to get more information on a certain topic by questioning someone with more knowledge regarding the topic and so the news piece will be more accurate. Interviews can also be used to get different opinions from people to make sure they don’t appear bias and cover all sides to a story. Small interviews with members of the public, known as vox pops, get personal opinions on a certain topic. These are used to give a more informal approach and to allow the audience to connect with the programme. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=dlst. C 4 R-5 gc interviewing an expert or witness provides the audience with more information on the story as they are able to go into detail on what happened. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ixwq 3 KJwy 54

REPORT STRUCTURE This is the structure of how the news will be reported and delivered to the audience. One example of this which is used quite commonly is when the news reader gives a quick brief of everything to be covered in the programme and then starts off with the biggest or most important story.

ACTUALITY FOOTAGE This can be live or prerecorded observational footage used to back up the information the news reader is telling the audience. Footage used as evidence or visual reference, when news anchor is talking about a certain topic a cutaway will be inserted to back up the point. This makes the subject clearer and gives the audience more understanding.

TYPES OF DOCUMENTARIES

EXPOSITORY This type of documentary has a voice over which addresses the audience directly. This may be a ‘voice of god’ voiceover or a ‘voice of authority’ The voiceover is usually done by an expert in the field with an authoritative voice. An example of an expository documentary is David Attenborough’s series on BBC, ‘Blue Planet’. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=h 6 nh. OChp. Mck

OBSERVATIONAL Often has a ‘fly on the wall’ approach. The filmmaker is a neutral observer following the subject or action. Nothing is staged Little to no voice of god narration Lets audience reach their own conclusions An example of an observational documentary is ‘Rough Aunties’ https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=R 0 zf 4_Vxbb 8

INTERACTIVE Multimedia experience Directly addresses the audience Narrative advances through the actions of the audience Non-linear storyline Audience has an active roll of navigating through the story Different actions have different outcomes https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=u. Re. F 79 n. Zg. HE

REFLEXIVE Filmmaker acknowledges their presence Often has a casual/informal approach Offers narrative guidance Sometimes take part in activities for inside look Personal but not bias https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ldf. J 2 jf 3 m. KY

PERFORMATIVE Tends to show one persons perspective on a certain topic or issue May be controversial Focuses more on emotional response than educating the viewer Tries to convince audience of different point of view Usually very personal to filmmaker Often low budget with small production team Can expose audience to factual information but not necessary