conventions of documentaries
- 2. Voiceover Voiceovers are conventionally authoritative , encouraging the audience to follow a certain train of thought, usually backed up with specialist knowledge.
- 3. ‘Real’ Footage Documentary is essentially seen as ‘no fiction’ however, it still provides a subjective representation like any other form of media. Documentary films often undergo a great deal of effort in order to capture footage which is ‘real’ and convince the audience that it is unaltered. Nonetheless, the process of post production editing and sequencing of events inevitably creates a fabricated representation offering on view of the subject matter.
- 4. Archive footage/stills To emphasise the authenticity of the documentary and provide additional evidence provided by external sources, strengthening the films voice and argument, making it more effective in achieving its function.
- 5. Interviews with field specialists Provides similar effect as archival footage by offering an ‘expert’ second opinion on the subject matter. Makes the argument more convincing and aids the film in effectively achieving its function.
- 6. Text/Titles The use of lexis on screen to anchor and label images in terms of preconceived social norms are often used as they are frequently accepted by the audience without question. They serve as an effective means of quickly conveying information and aid in generating the directors desired representation.