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Codes and Conventions of Documentary's

The document discusses various codes and conventions used in documentary films. It explains that codes and conventions are used together to analyze a genre and how shots are conventionally used. Some conventions discussed include using background footage to illustrate locations or subjects mentioned, voiceovers by presenters to provide context over clips, and credits to identify people on screen. The document also covers conventions like title sequences, interviews with experts, encoding particular messages, setting details like locations and attire, incorporating people with real-life experiences, vox pops from the public, strategic use of music, archival footage, facts, actual footage, opposing viewpoints, and reconstructions.

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AS Media Column E
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71 views

Codes and Conventions of Documentary's

The document discusses various codes and conventions used in documentary films. It explains that codes and conventions are used together to analyze a genre and how shots are conventionally used. Some conventions discussed include using background footage to illustrate locations or subjects mentioned, voiceovers by presenters to provide context over clips, and credits to identify people on screen. The document also covers conventions like title sequences, interviews with experts, encoding particular messages, setting details like locations and attire, incorporating people with real-life experiences, vox pops from the public, strategic use of music, archival footage, facts, actual footage, opposing viewpoints, and reconstructions.

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AS Media Column E
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CODES AND CONVENTIONS

OF DOCUMENTARYS

By: Sabah Babamiya


WHAT ARE CODES AND
CONVENTIONS?

Codes and conventions are used together to study a genre, it is not


enough for it to be used to discuss just a camera shot without it being
linked to how it is conventionally used in a genre.
BACKGROUND FOOTAGE

If the documentary is mentioning a locations then they will show


an overview of the location that is spoken about in the documentary.
It can also be when a subject is mentioned and the subject is shown.
While a clip is being shown there is a voice over the top of the clip
taking about it.
VOICE OVER/ PRESENTER

A voice over is when the clip is spoken over by the presenter/


narrator, but they aren't seen on screen. They talk about what is going
on screen and giving the audience more knowledge. The presenter is
usually seen on screen and is the person that is asking questions to the
public and experts. Presenter usually seen throughout clip trying to
investigate into the topic.
CREDIT

This is where words come up on screen it could be the name of


the presenter, the name of the expert and their role. It informs the
audience as to who is on screen.
TITLE SEQUENCE

The title sequence is the introduction to the documentary and


shows the title of the documentary. It informs the audience as to
what they are watching. It is usually on screen for 30 seconds. Can be
a montage of images also.
EXPERTS

These are people that are knowledgeable and experts in the topic
that is talked about in the documentary. They give factual information
and can give personal information from past experiences.
ENCODING A PARTICULAR
MESSAGE

This is the way the audience interprets the documentary. In the


documentary there may sympathy encoded in it, in which the
audience may feel sympathy towards that specific topic.
LOCATION/ MISE EN
SCENE

The location of the documentary is very important as it shows the


audience where the expert comes from. It can also tell the audience
the experts profession, just from looking at the location. E.g. office.
Mise en scene is what clothes the expert wears that may represent to
the audience their class and occupation. E.g. White lab coats can
convey to the audience that the expert is a doctor.
PEOPLE WITH REAL LIFE
EXPERIENCES OF THE TOPIC

In the documentary people with real life experiences of a specific


topic may need to be used as they give actual advice and real life
stories about what happened to them in the past. It can make the
audience understand the topic much better and show the audience
how the topic impacts individuals lives.
VOX POP

A VOX pop is the voice of the population. This is where people


of the public get asked questions about the topic and the audience see
there point of view. There can be a primary audience (young people)
and secondary audience (older people).
MUSIC

Music is crucial in a documentary as it adds effect to the scene


playing on screen. For example if an individual is seen to be having an
operation sad music may play in the background to make the audience
feel sorry for the individual. Music makes the audience feel a
particular way.
ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE

Archival footage is real life footage from the individuals past. It


relates to the topic mentioned in the documentary. It makes the
audience learn more about the individuals past and how they got to
where they are today. The archival footage can show how an
individual has suffered in the past. It makes the audience feel
sympathetic towards the individual.
FACTS/ STATISTICS

Facts and statistics are very important in documentaries as they are


trustworthy sources given to the audience. It educates the audience
about the specific topic. Facts and statistics can tell the audience that
the documentary is reliable and trustworthy.
ACTUALITY FOOTAGE

Actuality footage is real life events that have taken place. It shows
the audience that these events have actually taken place and there is
evidence of it. This footage is truthful and reliable.
O P P O S I N G O P I N I O N S - B I N A RY
O P P O S I T E N A R R AT I V E

Opposing opinions are very important in documents as they give


the audience two sides of the argument. It gives the audience an
insight into why people think the way they do about the topic. There
usually are people in documentaries that have contrasting opinions
which show the audience why they think they are right.
RECONSTRUCTION

This is where people in the documentary re in act real life events


that happened to them in the past. For example, in the documentary
they show how panicked they are when someone stole there mobile
phone.
CODES AND CONVENTIONS I
AM THINKING OF USING?

The codes and conventions that I am thinking of using are a VOX POP as I want to
see the audiences opinion on our subject. Also, I think it will be very important for me to
included facts and statistics as it is a key part of a documentary to educate the target
audience upon the subject talked about in the documentary. Music will be a great element
to add into the documentary as it adds emotions and meaning to the documentary. In
addition, I will be hoping to have an expert and add credits as credits will help my
audience recognize who the people on screen are and experts will give my audience
factual information upon the subject and will educate them. I hope to have an off screen
and a on screen presenter which will give my documentary variety.

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