Codes and conventions of docs
- 1. CODES & CONVENTIONS OF A DOCUMENTARY
- 2. What are Codes and Conventions of Documentaries? ■ Codes and conventions are techniques used repeatedly within a Documentary- things you expect. For example, I would say that in Documentaries they are always factual. ■ Codes are something that give more meaning.Codes tell a story within media text. ■ Conventions are something that are widely recognised within a certain media field, for example interviewing an expert in a Documentary.
- 3. Codes & Conventions in documentaries ■ Interviews ■ Presenter (on screen) ■ Presenter (off screen) ■ Voice overs ■ Direct address/ breaking the 4th wall ■ Reconstruction/ reinactment ■ Hand held cameras (real life events) ■ Expert interviews (static cameras used) ■ Location – MES- e.g. at an office ■ Mediation – encoding a message ■ Music ■ Point ofView ■ Specific subject ■ Vox Pop (voice of the population) ■ Background footage ■ Credits ■ Conflicting views ■ Archival footage (e.g. old home videos) ■ Facts and Statistics ■ Personal Perspective ■ Dialogue/ narrative ■ Title sequence (montage) ■ Variety of shots ■ Pacey, quick shots ■ Special effects/ transitions
- 4. Presenters/Voice overs ■ OFF SCREEN: In some documentaries the audience won’t see the presenter but instead hear a voice over.The narrator talks over and in between footage explaining what is going on, and sometimes voices their opinions.Often an off screen presenter/ voiceover is used to create a more realistic Fly on the Wall effect (e.g. our world, Benefits Street). ■ ON SCREEN: In other documentaries the audience will see the presenter themselves (e.g. Queer Britain, Inside Out). Sometimes they are shot with handheld cameras, talking to the audience or may be filmed interviewing an expert. (Queer Britain) presenter shot in an interview walking down the street, handheld camera used.
- 5. Reconstruction/ Reinactment ■ Reconstruction is used to add more of a dramatic effect as the audience can empathise more by visualising the events. Often reconstruction is used to help explain how a series events unfolded. Perhaps it is used alongside an account of a interviewee. A typical crime/ investigation Documentary may include this, for example
- 6. Hand held camera/ Static camera ■ Hand held cameras are used to give a sense of realism.This helps in recreating a realistic, (sometimes) informal experience. It is often used when interviewing someone who is not an expert. Also they would be used in home video clips for example. (e.g. Amy). ■ Static cameras (used on a tripod to keep the camera still and steady) are used when filming a formal interview with an ‘expert’ for example, it remains still in order to look professional. (e.g. Diana documentary).
- 7. Credits (experts) ■ Credits are a description of a person for example their name and job description (if they are an expert). ■ E.g. Dr Phil – Psychologist. This gives the audience an indication of who they are and what they do, they know their purpose. Often in interviews with experts, their profession is included so that the audience knows the expert is trustworthy. (e.g. Inside Out)
- 8. Location - MES ■ Location is used so that the visuals match the narrative; for example, in an interview with a doctor being in his office or at the hospital is realistic and it suits the scene that is being played or explained.
- 9. Mediation (encoding a message) ■ Often events may be slightly exaggerated. It explains what is going on and can also be made entertaining for the audience. Sometimes content is presented in a certain way to make an audience have a certain opinion.This is more difficult to say exactly as it is personal opinion. (e.g.Amy)
- 10. Music ■ Music is used frequently in documentaries especially in the background of footage. For example there may be a clip of people walking down the street so music makes it more entertaining.
- 11. Vox pop ■ ‘Voice of the population’. Interviewers will go somewhere (e.g. a town centre) and interview random members of the public to gather information and opinions on the topic that they’re discussing. They do this so that it doesn’t look biased to their argument by asking a target audience but instead they are receiving opposing opinions.
- 12. Background footage/archival footage ■ Background footage can be used to prove a point that is being explained, to back up the points. Also it could be used to introduce a change of scenery or location. ■ Archival footage can be old videos that have been previously filmed like of the person as a child.This then may be used as proof of what were like. (e.g. Amy)
- 13. OurWorld ■ This is shown to be a factual documentary.The programme contains interviews with families and experts with their opposing opinions to do with the illness. ■ Off screen presenter/ voice over ■ Background music ■ Interviews with families – some with hand held cameras, some with static ■ Interviews with experts – static cameras used ■ Locations (e.g. homes, hospitals, swimming pools) ■ Archival footage (at the beach, the little girl in her bed and at the mental hospital) ■ Online articles – facts/statistics ■ Credits – experts name’s and job titles shown whilst being interviewed
- 14. Queer Britain ■ This documentary is based on people’s personal life experiences. It has more entertainment value opposed to factual (e.g. The expert wearing more casual clothing, slouching etc…) ■ On screen presenter - static camera ■ Voiceover ■ Stats ■ Montage footage in title sequence ■ Specific subject ■ Hand held camera ■ Interviews (not showing mans face) ■ Interviews with experts ■ Location – Birmingham ■ Credits – experts ■ Participatory - Interview gets involved.
- 15. Conventions I will include ■ In my documentary I will include an on screen presenter, as I find it more interesting to watch someone on screen, rather than just a voiceover. ■ I think I will use a voiceover as well as an on screen presenter in my documentary, for example over archival footage. ■ If I conduct any interviews in public I will use a handheld camera, as this is more relaxed and is often used within interviews with the public.