Codes and Conventions of

Documentaries
Genres

Genres: News

Definition: A broadcasted report of newly

received important information about recent
events.
News definition (2016) Available at:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=news+definition&safe=active&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=955
&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg0Myts4vMAhVB9g4KHelXAgwQ_AUIBSgA&dpr=1
(Accessed: 13 April 2016).

Google (no date) Available at:

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chromeinstant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=news%20definition (Accessed: 13 April
2016).

Codes and Conventions

These are symbols that make up the
programme for example news
readers, field reporters contributing
to the news story with real exclusive
footage. News also includes eye
witnesses, interviews and a proper
report structure.
Bigsmoke1991 (2011) 4 December. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/954869/codes-conventions10458033?next_slideshow=2 (Accessed: 13 April 2016).

This is the typical conventions in a news

studio, it fits the conventions as the news
reporter has constant eye contact with
the camera and he has a report structure
that he needs to follow.

NBH-B1 (2013) BBC news Christmas blooper reel 2013. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hkBAmn5yKo (Accessed: 13 April
2016)

Genres: Documentaries
Farlex (2003) Documentary. Available at:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/documentary
(Accessed: 13 April 2016).

A documentary is a film or factual video examining an event or a

person for example a biography. Documentary presenting can
range between political, social or historical subject matter.

Documentary dictionary definition (no date) Available at:

http://www.yourdictionary.com/documentary (Accessed:
13 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

Actuality footage is a recording of the actual event being documented featuring real people and not actors.
Voiceover this is someone who is unseen during the documentary but who's voice is used either to tell the
story or as part of an interview.
Narrativisation to communicate in some sort of order of events so its easier to follow.
Interviews- This creates a sense of realism because people are speaking directly about specific events. It helps
to add emotion as the interviewees usually look into the eye of the interviewer when answering questions as
opposed to looking into the camera.

Text- used to insert important dates, time and location of specific places.
Sound- used to give off a certain effect.
Dramatization this is where actors will help to reconstruct an event to give the audience a further insight to
what happened.

Realism Archive footage, interviews and location shooting help to give insight.
Media, L.V. (2013) Buditobon, 29 November. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/LVHS/codes-and-conventions-of-documentaries-28738886?next_slideshow=1
(Accessed: 14 April 2016).

Genres : Docudrama

A docudrama is a dramatized television film based on real events. An

actor or narrative helps to tell a story based on true facts as they are
known.
Docudrama (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docudrama (Accessed: 14 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

Narrative Structure- either open or closed ended
depending on the subject matter.
Camerawork this consist of framed interviews, hand
held cameras used for actuality footage
Mise-en-scene used to anchor a person to subject or
relevance, lighting, location and backdrop
Sound- voice over, sets the scene and introduces a new
topic.
Editing- montage editing is used to draw an effect from
the audience, fast and slow motion and multiple archive
material
Archive material this can include film/tv, newspapers,
magazines, photos and websites.
Graphics this include title, credits, name of the
interviewee and relevance.
daniellecleary (2012) Codes and conventions of the
documentary drama, 19 September. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/daniellecleary/codes-andconventions-of-the-documentary-drama (Accessed: 14
April 2016).

This fits the conventions of a docudrama because it

follows a narrative structure and plenty of mise-enscene. There is a lot of sound and voice over too.
Charlie Delahunt (2014) Vice versa (short
docudrama). Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZbTpyve
w-Y (Accessed: 14 April 2016).

Genres : Docu-Soap

A Docu- soap is a broadcasted television

documentary series in which the lives of people
are presented as entertainment or drama
Farlex (2003) Docu-soap. Available at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/docu-soap
(Accessed: 14 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

- Exaggeration of real life
- Follows real people (TOWIE, Made In
Chelsea)
- Based on reality
- Follows a certain group of people
Farlex (2003) Docu-soap. Available at:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/docu-soap (Accessed: 14 April 2016).

This fits the conventions of a docu-drama as it does follow real people and
real life situations that have been exaggerated for your entertainment. It also
follows a certain group of people each time so you are always following thewir
narration.
The Only Way Is Essex (2014) Ricky & Jessica end things with A bang
- the only way is Essex. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_1iBqGjspU (Accessed: 14 April
2016).

Genres : Infotainment

Broadcasted television or radio programmes that treat factual material in an

entertaining manner by adding in dramatic elements
Dictionary (2016) The definition of infotainment. Available at:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/infotainment (Accessed: 14 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

- Big personalities
- Anchors, people who come on to speak
about a specific topic
- Journalists, people with real knowledge
- Interviews
- Live T.V activities
MorganMedia and profile, V. my complete (2012) Unit 27-Factual
Programme production techniques for television, Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-offactual-programming.html (Accessed: 14 April 2016).

This show is a great example of infotainment, as well as being informative it

also has a lot big personalities and people who are very chatty to the
camera. IN reference to the picture, they also have a lot of interviews as
well.
This Morning (2016) The Louis Tomlinson baby conspiracy | this morning. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb5fWfOsnRg (Accessed: 14 April 2016).

Genres : Reality TV

Reality TV consists of people being continuously

filmed to entertain the audience rather than to
inform them.
Google (no date) Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chromeinstant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=reality%20tv%20definition (Accessed: 14 April
2016).

Codes and Conventions

Big personalities geeks, jokers, people who
create drama

Focus- some reality shoes have activities and set

challenges for the audience to watch
Setting- good reality shows have an iconic setting
for example Im a celebrity, get me out of here!
is set in a rain forest and Big Brother

Editing- people have to edit the show to meet

the time slot and to keep people entertained
A presenter- Reality shows need a voice over and
a presenter as they usually follow some sort of
narration
Raji, B. (2010) Sammwas, 17 June. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/belair1981/reality-tv-revision4525638 (Accessed: 15 April 2016).

This is the best of example of reality TV, it has a clear setting which has
made it very iconic. On the show you will see many big personalities for
example geeks and jokers and also a presenter to guide the narration.
The cameras are always on in big brother but there are strict editing
rules which meets the time slot, showing only the most entertaining
bits of the day.
Big Brother (2014) Celebrity big brother UK 2014 - day 3 - live. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8U-vDZZdTI (Accessed: 15 April 2016).

Genres : Educational

Educational Television is used to provide distant

educational information for the audience. Many
childrens television is educational as they are always
learning. They are often explained at the end by the
character that taught the lesson
Educational television (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_television (Accessed: 15 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

Narrator someone who helps to inform the

audience and acts as the teacher

Text text on the screen tells you quick

information
Facts and figures can tell you important dates
and famous quotes
Activities - mainly aimed for young children to
keep entertained but also educated at the
same time
Sound music, keeps people engaged
Cartoon appeals to the younger audience

This show is packed with activities and things to keep the

younger generation entertained. There is narration and
Dora acts like a teacher for the children.

MostAmazingTop10 (2016) Top 10 educational TV shows for kids. Available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M-N6Up5sGo (Accessed: 15 April 2016).

Genres : Wildlife

Wildlife or Nature programmes are

usually produced as a several part
documentary abut the lives of plants,
animals and creatures in their natural
habitat
Nature documentary (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_documentary (Accessed: 15 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

Narrator Someone that knows a
lot about the wildlife and even
visits the locations themselves
(David Attenborough)
Sound Music over the top can
sometimes add suspense or draw
an effect from the audience
Editing many nature and wildlife
documentaries include editing for
example time lapse of plant growth
Content wildlife, plants etc

David Attenborough has made a name for himself with his iconic
narration and he voices the whole series of planet earth. There is a
lot of editing and sound over the top.

Connor Lees (2015) Planet earth episode 6 ice worlds BBC documentary. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhLqNLW9cFQ (Accessed: 15 April 2016).

Genres : Special Interest

A group of people is when people or an

organization seeking and receiving using
advantages, typically through political
lobbying
Google (no date) Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chromeinstant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=active&q=special+interest+ (Accessed: 15 April
2016).

Codes and Conventions

Persuading people to
prove good points
Journalists people who
know about the topic
Content good content so
that people will continue
watching
Facts and figures makes it
seem more believable
Real people more reliable

TLC (2014) What happens when you eat 8 beds? | my strange addiction. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AvC4-qcGIU (Accessed: 15 April 2016).

This fits the conventions of special interest as the

content is quite bizarre and something people
would want to keep watching, the content shows
real people which makes it seem even more
reliable.

Genres : Makeover

Makeover tv series specialise

in entertaining people by
reinventing and revamping
something, most commonly
someone's house
Makeover reality television series (2015) in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makeover_reality_television_series (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

Real people
Light bubbly presenter
Voice over
Fast camera shots and time
lapse
Happy music
Good editing (more
presentable)
MorganMedia and profile, V. my complete (2012) Unit
27-Factual Programme production techniques for
television, Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/0
9/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 18
April 2016).

60 minute maker shows a lot of fast camera editing with a lot of time lapse
as the makeover is shown in an hour. Theres a lot of happy recognisable
music that draws in peoples attention. Lastly, the show sees real people
accompanied by a light, bubbly presenter.
DazzleOnTv (2015) 60 minute makeover - Adam & Jane - Halifax - 2004. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtHNDA3an34 (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Genres : Magazine

Magazine style TV show is set up like a chat

show where everyone can discuss different
magazine articles

Codes and Conventions

-

Live studio based audience

Regular presenters
Facts given to audience
Expert sometimes on show
Celebrity interviews
Music
Archive footage of
something filmed
previously
Morgan Media and profile, V. my complete (2012) Unit 27-Factual
Programme production techniques for television, Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-offactual-programming.html (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

This show matches the conventions because it is set in a

live studio with a live audience and has regular presenters.
The show is also made up of a celebrity guest interview in
every show with a lot of archive footage.
mjp221972 (2015) Jim Parsons home BBC the One show 2015. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SFhrRX2ZhE (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Genres : Discussion

Discussions are usually about a specific

topic spoken about in groups to reach a
decision or to exchange ideas
Google (no date) Available at:
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chromeinstant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF8#safe=active&q=discussion+definition (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

-

Studio panel
Experts in to elaborate further
Multiple camera shots
Celebrity guests
No scripts
Several topics
Anchor to introduce several
topics
MorganMedia and profile, V. my complete (2012) Unit 27-Factual
Programme production techniques for television, Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-offactual-programming.html (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Loose women has quite regular turnover studio panel with multiple celebrity
guests covering several topics. The women sat to the left is quite often the most
well known anchor to introduce several topics.

Loose Women (2016) Coleen Nolan has A shocking confession | loose women. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGRk3DMazaE (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Genres : Review

Merriam-Webster (2015) Definition of REVIEW. Available at: http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/review (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

- Presenter
- Several topics (things to
review)
- Archive footage
- Studio set up
- Can go outside
- Interviews with experts
MorganMedia and profile, V. my complete (2012) Unit 27-Factual
Programme production techniques for television, Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-offactual-programming.html (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

The gadget show has many different gadgets which get reviewed and
tested throughout the program. There is often interviews with experts of
the gadget and plenty of archive footage of pre filmed testing and stuff.
The Gadget Show (2016) The gadget show - series 1 episode 9. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT1AwWNPHoE (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Genres : chat show

Farlex (2003) Chat show. Available at:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/chat+show (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Codes and Conventions

- Discusses everyday
issues
- Real people
- Multi camera
- Studio set up
- Film the audience
- Involve audience
MorganMedia and profile, V. my complete (2012) Unit 27Factual Programme production techniques for television,
Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analy
sis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 18 April 2016).

Jeremy Kyle is probably the most well known chat show, he discusses very
personal topics with his guests who are real people that come in with no scripts
or anything. There is often a camera on the audience filming their reaction.

The Jeremy Kyle Show (2016) Rachel thinks her ex still loves her | the Jeremy Kyle Show. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0m2UfFMyC8 (Accessed: 18 April 2016).