Codes and Conventions of the Documentary Genre

Narrative, Editing, Sound, Camerawork, Archive Material, Mise - en - scene, Graphics

• Single strand
• Cut is the most common edit.
• Editing techniques may be used on actuality footage and archive material.
• Well paced.
• Voiceover - hold the narrative together.
• Voiceover - gender is sometimes relevant depending on the topic.
• Voiceover - relevant age to the topic.
• Voiceover - standard english.
• Relevant music.
• Creative and varied camerawork.
• Conventional framing on interviews.
• Camera usually on a tripod.
• Interviewee sits down and on a stable chair.
• Still images etc. zoom in or out.
• Variety of relevant material.
• If chromakey is used it shouldn't detract from the interview.
• Graphics are used to anchor who the person is and what they do and when or where something has happened / happening.