Basic Conventions of Documentary.- The Simpsons.

- Emma Wylie!

A-Roll FootageA roll footage is mainly based on the

important footage within documentaries. They usually contain

interviews with important – and relevant – people within the subject.

Furthermore, they are normally filmed on a steady camera to make it

more professional.

Interviews!In every documentary interviews are used to make it more exciting.They usually involve people who are relevant to the topic, and whocan give extra information, their opinion, or behind the scenes info.Interviews are filmed on a tripod to make it look professional andsophisticated. If handheld cameras were utilised, they would look amateur. All interviews are filmed in the frame of the rule ofthirds, which shows the subject being either to the far left or right, to make the interview more exciting. This also allows more roomfor props or pictures which could be relevant to the content.

Interviews ContConventionally, the camera will not

show theinterviewer, or their questions. The

interviewee will beexpected to answer in full sentences,

and reveal thequestion, so it can then be either

shortened down, orthe question can be cut out. The

interviewee will alsobe expected to look at the interviewer,

who is to theleft or right of the camera.

Interviews – Mise En Scene

The interviewee will be dressed in attire which reflects their job role, or relevance in the interview. Furthermore, the background pictures in the frame are associated with the documentary. This is usually added by Chroma Key, or blue screen, which allows the interview to take place on a green or blue screen, then add a background which could look more exciting. Furthermore, the lighting of the interview needs to be high key so the subject can be seen clearly. Always lit from the front and never in front of a window.

Interviews Camera Shots

Different camera shots are used to make the

documentary more exciting. Throughout the

documentary, different types of shot sizes and

framing is used so can add variety and make it more

enjoyable.

Far left. Medium shot.

Far Right. Medium/Long Shot

Far left. Medium Shot.

The main subject is in agreement to the rule of three and fits the first line. This shows that Matt Groening is on the far left, with the characters that he created on the right.

There are titles of the name of the interviewee, as well as their role in the industry. This gives insight as to who it is. It is also at the bottom of the screen away, not covering anyone or anything as that would be in the way.

Relevant characters are either edited in using Chrome Key, or are in the background. They add context to the conversation and say about what the interview is about.

High key lighting is frequent and makes the interviewee stanad out. His attire is also quite formal and implies that he is in a higher job [which is seen as we see he is the creator of Simpsons]

High key lighting to show the interviewee’s face well.

B-Roll Footage

B-Roll footage is used so it can be edited together so

can be made into a montage so supplement and

accompany the main interviews. The footage will be

relevant and can be associated with the documentary

topic. The footage can include vox pops, presenter,

archive footage and/or cutaway shots.

Cutaway ShotsA cutaway shot is used to accompany an interview and show what theinterviewee is describing. For example, if the interviewee is discussing

awards,a list of awards could be shown. In The Simpsons documentary, this isshown as the ‘Hollywood Legend’, James, is describing a gift he got

once. Thedocumentary then shows the gift which he received. And then cuts

back to hisinterview so he can move on to a new topic of conversation.

Part 1 of the interview. Cut to shot of gift Part 2 of interview

Establishing Shots & Archive Footage

Within many documentaries establishing shots are utilised to indicate where the main

places – or people – are. It also gives a background as to where interviews could

take place, and will be associated with the documentary.

Archive footage is also used to show old facts, or old footage which relates to the

documentary.

Still photographs & Vox pops

Still pictures can be used to describe the point that the interviewee is making and emphasise on it. Whilst being on screen, the camera may pan or zoom in or out on the photographs.

Vox pops are clips of interviews with the general public and are only used in small clips. They are used to show their opinions, and also breaks up the documentary to make it more exciting. It is usually filmed on handheld cameras.

Presenters and Voice Over Narration

A presenter is always found in documentaries, and usually

introduces the next segment of the documentary. They deliver a

carefully written speech and will anchor the meaning of the visual

images to improve the understanding of the topic.

The presenter or narrator will usually have an authoritative voice to make

it more formal.