Codes and Conventions of Documentarys

Within Documentaries there are always common codes and conventions that are used throughout; from shots, camera angles, techniques, sounds, and lighting etc. People who create/produce documentaries follow these codes and conventions through closely to ensure the best possible outcome.

1) When an interviewee is being interviewed, questions are never heard being asked, the question will begin at the start of their answer ensuring that is sounds proffesional. Their are usually always graphics stating the interviewee's name, sex, status (depending on the type of documentary) and the graphics are simple and plain, so that the audience's main focus is on the people on screen. The main key convention when being interviewed is the angle upon how they are sat, when they are being interviewed they never make eye contact or look at the camera in any way- they are usually possitioned so they are looking towards the oppisite side 1/3 way across from the camera. E.g. if on the right hand side they look left.

2) Natural lighteing is usually used throughout giving the audience a sense of realism and not making it look to cheesey or silly.

3) Archive footage is often used throughout, anchoring meaning to the topic of documentary used, weather it's from another programme or other documentary etc, this shows different sides and materials of the topic and theme. Archive footage is always clear and bold.

4) Vox pops are often used throughout when it's relevant, asking the general public their opinions on the topic of the documentary- making it more entertaining and varies answers.

5) The mise en scene is a key element, and has to be selected right so that the documentary looks like time and effort has gone in and makes it look very proffesional.

6) Experts are used, making it have a serious side to it, so the audience can get correct facts and figures from a proffesional, so that any unanswered or burning questions they want to no about the topic is then answered-and will be 100% true making it proffesional and interesting/educational.

7)Voice overs are used where it is relevant showing the audience that they have knowledge about the topic and explains in detail what the show is about. The choice f voiceover is very important depending on the type of documentary e.g. for a informative, formal, serious topic you may have someone who speaks well spoken in proper english language.

8)A variety of camera angles is used, to make it more interesting and show variety-making it more proffesional.

9) Graphics-Are usually kept simple so that the eye is mainly focused on the shot on the screne. It gives across quick information such as times, names and dates, so it doesnt waste any time.

10) Diagetic (the voice over) and non-diagetc sounds are added, to create effect and realte to the theme of your documentary.