Documentary Codes and Conventions

• Interviews
• Observation
• Exposition
• Running theme throughout
• Never hear the question being asked
• Rule of thirds
• Relevant Mise-en-scene
• No looking at the camera
• Narration
• Graphics/Captions
• Linear narrative structure
• Cut-aways
• Archive Material
• No light source behind the interviewer
• Mid shot of medium close up for the interviewer
• Clear theme
• Interviewees either left or right
• Reconstructions
• Music bed
• Relevant sound
• White text
• Experts used
• Opening titles
• Digetic sound/effects
• Based on truth
• Eyeline 3/4 up screen
• Evidence supported
• Continuity throughout
• Vox pops
• Montages used
• Ambient sound
• Short-reverse-shot
• Never interupt interviewer
• Dramatisation
• Text different corner
• Extreme close-ups