Conventions of Documentaries

The function and purpose behind conventional elements in

specific typologies of genres - in terms of documentaries - is to
entice particular demographics in order to optimise viewing
numbers. The creators can maximise their impact on the target
market / audience by implementing these conventional aspects;
conventions offer various psychological needs that need to be
fulfilled. One of these urges that can solve through the use of
particular conventions is the repetitive dynamic that conventional
conventions provide. The active audience enjoys embracing
documentaries that link in with not only their favorite genre but
their favorite generic conventions as well. This philosophical
characterisation ties directly in with Steve Neales Genre Theory
due to the interpretation that audiences enjoy specific media
texts because of repetition and difference of repertories of
genre elements used. Thus the reasoning behind generic
conventions incorporated into certain media texts. Directors can
easily identify these conventions by breaking them up into
diverse media categories.

Camera shots / movements:

Camera work is an essential way of connoting key aspects hidden

within the documentary, of which are connected to the theme.
Utilising various camera angles enables the documentary to
appear not only professional but also interesting as well - in order
to appeal to an active audience. For instance: when conducting
interviews in a documentary it is important to notice the
diversification in camera shots; this is done to allow the editing
element to cut in and out of shots, in order to engage the
demographic. This may include the use of Reverses (over the
shoulder shots), wide profile shots (allows to cut out wide to a
side angle), medium shots and close ups. These are all
conventional elemental cameras angles incorporated into
modern-day documentaries, purely for the justification of
engagement behind it.

Also, it is important to consider the Rule of Thirds aspect because

when creating the interview set-up, the Rule of Thirds is taken
very seriously. The interviewee should conventionally be placed
on a side third of a loose frame either side will do depending on
the side youre capturing from.

In addition, another generic convention for a documentary is to

introduce a selection of cutaways relevant to the theme. These
cutaways use the camera shot of a pull focus on some occasions
to provide the primary target audience with something that will
please the eyes. It is often used to draw the audiences attention
to something as well; we will consider this when conducting our
perspective filming.

Furthermore, when planning the camera movement, it is true to

say that the implementation of a panning shot with tracking,
adding value to the overall complexion of the camera work, will
indeed capture the interests and engagement of the
demographic.

Ultimately, the conventions that I have mentioned above are all

cemented within the foundation of the documentary and as a
result, the director ends up with an incredible looking finished
product that not only seems up to standard but also the concept
of imaginative thought is praised by an active audience.

Editing:

The editing aspect of producing a world-class documentary is not

to be overlooked. The post-production stage is a vital part of
creating the masterpiece I am aiming for, as it enables the
smooth flowing of he documentary. If you break it down, the
incorporation of editing techniques will allow not only the camera
shots but also the entire narrative to run and connect together
smoothly. This essentially is the difference between an above
average doc and an extremely powerful documentary. Thus why
the conventions of editing need to be understood. There are
various editing techniques that should be considered in terms of
the generic element.

Firstly, an action match isnt necessarily used in a documentary

and therefore isnt considered a conventional technique in a
documentary. Nonetheless, depending on the shot list an action
match could be introduced in order to stretch the boundaries of
generic conventional elements used in documentaries. This
breaking of conventional codes could potentially link in with
Richard Dyers Utopian Solutions Theory as it suggests the
audience require utopian solutions to their everyday lives. In
this case, breaking the boundaries of conventional aspects will
offer the active audience something utopian.

On the other hand, conventional editing techniques will include:

cross cutting or parallel editing between interviews. This is done
in order to entice the demographic and enable the audience to
gain new alternative perspectives on different aspects; in this
case, it is done on interviews to understand both sides of the
story. In addition, a shot, reverse shot will be used as it is a
conventional element of not only interviews but documentaries
themselves as well. This is exactly what we will do in our
documentary. Also the implementation of cutaways is useful in
order to connote a related action, object or person. This is done
to emphasise an aspect and helps the audience to understand.
Moreover, other conventional editing techniques - in relation to
documentaries are dissolves, cuts, fades and a montage. These
generic conventions are utilised in order to engage an active
audience. A graphic match maybe introduced due to the
connotation behind it it could denote change over a period of
time. This is indeed a convention of a documentary and will most
definitely be used in our documentary.

Narrative structures:

The generic conventions of narratives within documentaries

typically follow the route of a linear narrative, in which everything
is in chronological order from beginning to end. This is helpful if
youre planning on denoting a timeline. Also, another convention
of documentaries in terms of narrative structure is that a closed
narrative is often used in documentaries as it provides factual,
information also, so nothing will be left unexplained.

There is an additional element that is conventional to

documentaries whereby a particular clip is dispersed throughout
the documentary in order to not only engage the demographic to
pay attention but to also act as thread. By this I mean it
provides stability to the overall running of the documentary and
enables cuts.

Locations:

Locations of documentary settings are established through the

theme and whether or not the navigated location is suitable. For
example: a football-fuelled documentary will be shot and based
around various stadiums to accompany the mis-en-scene.
Locations are a significant aspect as it sets the atmosphere and
must be chosen wisely. In addition, a conventional location for a
documentary is simply a studio or room whereby an interview
takes place and / or being held.