Codes and conventions of a documentary genre

Interviews:-Framed either to the left or right of screen-Usually in MCU or CU- BCU/ECU-Rule of thirds applies – Eyeline is always 1/3 way down frame-Static- on Tripod Interviewee sat still on a chair, light source is in front of the intervieweeVariety of camerawork used. Handheld camera for actuality footage.

Camerawork

Archive material:-Still images- camera movement

-Chromakey

Mise-En-Scene:-Always relates to interviewee

Vox pops (Vox populis) -Voice of the people

Graphics:

-2 lines: Name, Relevance to the topic

Anchors the relevance of interviewee to the topic

also used to anchor place and time were necessary

Sound:-Music is often used relevant to the topic

Editing:

-Cut always mostly used (does not distract the audience, the

topic/content is what’s important)

-Cutaways are used to break up interviews and avoid jump cuts

-Questions are edited out of interviews

-Should be unnoticed by audience

Voiceover:

-The glue in which holds the narrative together

-Introduces us to the topic -Links us together to create the narrative

-Standard English