Codes and Conventions of Documentary filmWhat makes a documentary film?

Filming‘Real’ footage of events Documentary is essentially seen as ‘non-fiction’ although there are debates around this. However, a convention of documentary is that all events presented to us are to be seen as ‘real’ by the audience. Documentarians often go to great lengths to convince us that the footage is real and unaltered in anyway, although editing and voiceover can affect the ‘reality’ we, as viewers, see. For example a hand held camera is often used, to appear more realistic and in the action. Technicality of realism: Including ‘natural’ sound and lighting.

The VoiceoverThe voiceover will usually be authoritative in some way, encouraging the audience to think that they either have some kind of specialist knowledge or, as in the case of people like Michael Moore and Nick Broomfield: ‘the right’ opinions that people should pay attention to.‘Voice of authority’ a narrator who represents the view of the documentary. ‘Voice of god’ a narrator we cant see.

Features: Archive footage, to aid authenticity and to add further information which the film maker may be unable to obtain themselves. Interviews with ‘experts. Used to authenticate the views expressed in the documentary. Sometimes, they will disagree with the message of the documentary, although the film maker will usually disprove them in some way.‘Talking heads’ another form of interviews with members of the public reflecting on the issue. Filmed from the shoulders up. Re-enactments of an event which has previously occurred, using actors but based on the facts of the event.

VisualsUse of text/titles Text watch out for the use of words on screen to anchor images in time and space.  Labels, dates etc tend to be believed unquestioningly and are a quick and cheap way of conveying information.Visual coding, This links to the idea of mise-en-scene. E.g. If a doctor was being interviewed conveying information. they’d have to wear clothing associated with being a doctor in order to make it obvious to the viewer that he/she is a doctor.

Modes of documentary:Performative Mode

Filmmaker as participant- Performative mode of documentary raises questions about what knowledge is. It sets out to demonstrate how the specificities of personal experience provide entry into an understanding of the more general processes at work in society.

The Reflexive Mode

awareness of the process- The spectator is the focus of the attention. Speaks not only about the historical world, but about the problems and issues of representing it.

The Participatory Mode

Involves an interview between filmmaker and the subject.

The Poetic Mode

subjective, artistic, expression-

Expository Mode

Images become subordinate to the voice-over narration. They serve to illustrate, illuminate or act in counterpoint to what is being said by the author. Editing in the expository mode serves to maintain the continuity of the spoken argument or perspective.

The Expository Mode

-voice of God- This mode is what we identify with documentaries. It emphasises verbal commentary – often using a narrator

The Observational Mode

Window on the world- Attempt to observe aspects of the historical world as they happen.