Documentary

Conventions
Documentary
A documentary is made to make a point. Most documentaries are to
either investigate, inform, educate and entertain. They present
information of which is factual and truthful and have a variety of aims
and topics which are investigated and created for public interest.
Documentaries explore the mysteries of actual people in actual
situations, the parameters of documentaries are always evolving-
Michael Rabinger

Interview/Interview with expert
An interview is a conversation between two people. Where the interviewer
will ask questions of what they would like to find out from the interviewee.
An advantage to an interview is that questions can be asked directly and the
interviewer/audience is able to see the facial emotions of the interviewee.

An interview with an expert is used to add more factual and specific
information to a TV documentary. The expert will say things how they are
with no hesitation as this may occur with an interviewee or a voxpop. They
give more of a professional viewing on things as they know what they are
talking about and will inform the audience by being straight to the point.

VoxPop
A vox-pop is a form of interview with
someone of whom is a member of the
public, giving their opinion or idea based
on something they have been asked
about. Then the clip
Voiceover
A running commentary, which is spoken over the documentary but related
to the imagery on screen. It is directly spoken to the audience and it is
added after or during the filming production.
An example of this is David Attenboroughs- Life on Earth
Archival Footage
Footage or material which is obtained from a film or form of archive.
It is added to the documentary to fill it out more and is used so that
no further filming is need to be done. Also it may be used if the film
maker is unable to access it, so they will get the footage from
another source.
Text/Titles
Text and titles are used throughout documentaries to inform people
of time, location and of whom is on screen being interviewed. It is a
quick, easy and cheap way to get information across to the
audience.
Eg- The Only Way is Essex
Source: Youtube
Reconstructions
Reconstructions are used in a situation where artificial scenes of an event
have been reconstructed/acted out based on the events of a real life
situation. They provide the audience with factual information and give a
sense of realism, this is done through techniques such as blurring, lighting,
colour and distortion enhancements.

Eg- Dreams of a Life (Documentary film)
Where the events of Joyce Vincent have been reconstructed
to show the audience what happened to her and how it
happened. Also shown through the use of interviews
of people she knew.
Actuality
Actuality is where the film footage is of real events, places and
people. Where as fictional films are all scripted, have the use of
actors, sets and a story line. A real record of events as they unfold.