Unit 27 - 12 Documentary conventions

Docudramas 

Docudramas are usually full films or re-enactments /  reconstructions of true events. They will focus on what happened based on the creator's point of view. They will avoid commentary so the documentary is more factual and entertaining for audience. These documentary aren't always accurate as they make exaggerate to build up tension and anticipation for the audience so they can get into it more. For example, 'my week with Marilyn' is an example of an docudrama as it is an reconstruction of true events. It's about a production assistant called Colin who lands a job on the set of 'The Prince and the Showgirl' which stars Marilyn Monroe. The film focuses on the week during the shooting of the 1957 film when Marilyn was escorted around London by Colin after her husband had returned to the United States. 

The conventions which are used in the movie in the movie is realism. This is because of the movie they are filming as it is an actual movie which stars Marilyn Monroe. We also know because of the diary accounts which are shown which documents his time with Marilyn making us the audience believe its the truth. Another convention which is used a lot is natural lighting. It is used a lot in docudramas because it helps to give the movie a natural look so the audience feel like what they are watching isn't a re-enactment. Another convention which you would usually see in docudramas and is used in the film is voice overs narrativisation. This is when the main character will discuss what is happening in that scene as they retell the story. 


Docusoap 

Docusoaps are true representations of people's lives and in the real locations. This documentary will show people at their work or their lives as they go through certain situations.  The people being filmed are fully aware but don't acknowledge the camera most of the time. This would allow the audience to identify with individuals making them get more into the documentary as they can relate with what they watch. For example, one born every minute is an example of an docusoap as we follow what happens in the labour ward. 

The conventions which are used in this documentary are hand held cameras which add the to realism. This shows the audience watch they are watching is real as they know its actuality footage and not something that has been planned. This will make the show more entertaining for the audience as woman who have gone through that situation can relate. Another convention a docusoap will usually use is non - diegetic sound. This is will be used when something is about to go wrong making the situation looking bad and adding drama for the audience as they anticipate what is going to happen to the mother and the baby. Docusoaps will also use a lot of close-ups. This is so the audience can see clearly of the baby and the mother as she gives birth. 


Reality TV 

Reality TV programs are when ordinary people or celebrities are continuously filmed, designed to be entertaining rather than informative. This will either film the life's certain people or film people doing challenges on a show made for fun. This has become very popular as many celebrities or normal peoples lives are being filmed while more people going on the shows for fun. An example, of a popular reality TV show is big brother. This is a game show where celebrities or normal people are put into a house for 6 weeks and are filmed. 

The conventions which are used a lot in the reality TV shows and many others are dramatisation. This is what the draws the audience to carry on watching the show because there will conflicts, fights etc which will entertain the audience and even make them laugh at the events. A lot of artificial lighting will also be used in reality TV shows because this is to get a better look at the housemates. This is used to let us see the a persons expression better because they aren't being filmed from a cameraman as they are being filmed by cameras which are set up all over the house. They also use a lot of editing. This is because they have to try and fit all what happened in to that one show and they are seen to use a lot of transitions. 


Infotainment 

This is a combination of entertainment and information. There are different channels which will use Infotainment. For example, a channel called E is a channel decided to talking about celebrities and their life's and what rumours have been spoken about them. 

The conventions which are used a lot in this close- ups of the celebrities so they audience will be able to get a better look at the celebrity. This is because thy would want to show the celebrities face and who the person they are with. Another convention which is often used in infotainment is they use direct dialogue. It is like the person who is giving us the news is talking directly to the audience about the news, making them feel more involved with the situation. 




Educational 

This mainly focuses on educational topics which which will teach the audience about new topics, events skills and how to make/bake certain things. An example of a show that is educational for the audience is the great holiday baking show where it is a baking competition. But it will also show you how to make the food they are making. 


The conventions which are used in this show is close-ups. This is because it allows the audience to see get a close-up of how to do things so they can follow and so they can also so what the people are making and see what they are baking looks like. They also use a lot of facts in educational shows. This is because they are teaching the audience and what they say needs to be true so they cannot mess up but they can also trust the show. Another convention you will see in educational TV shows is direct dialogue. 



Wildlife 

This is all about animals in the wild and their lives and how they act in their natural habitat. The people filming will follow the animals but will keep a certain distance away from them so the animals aren't disturbed. An example, of a show that talks a lot about animals is frozen planet. 

The conventions that are used a lot in frozen planet and wildlife TV shows is voice overs. This when a person is talking about the animals and what we see them doing. The person speaking will tell us everything about the animal they are showing. This TV show also needs to be factual because they are talking about animals and people would find this entertaining and they would want to know what they are hearing is the truth. Another convention which is used a lot is natural lighting. We are able to see the animals without any other lighting making it look fake. 


Special interest 

This is a 'niche' audience that doesn't go for a wide range of people making the target audience small. It is involved in a specialised subject that only certain people will like as not everybody would find is entertaining like some others might. An example, of special interest is River monsters. It wouldn't be found on TV because not everyone would like this.

The conventions which are used in this are interviews with people so the audience watching can have some more information about what is happening in the documentary. It also allows people to make their own opinions based on the interviews which are being used. Another convention which are used in this are handheld cameras. 


Makeover shows 

Allows audiences to see drastic transformations to people's bodies,homes and cars. It offers a feel good factor for the audience as they can see people go through these changes. For example, pimp my ride was a popular makeover show which specialised on transforming peoples old cars into cars that look good. 

The conventions that are used in this show are artificial lighting because it lets the audience so the cars better when they are designing the new car. Another convention they use is sound in the background. Non-diegetic sound is used when the person sees the car the music goes upbeat because of how their car looks. 


Discussion 

This will have a host to act as an impartial referee by asking questions. They will remain neutral while two people from the opposite sides will talk about what they think about a specific question or topic. For example, the big question is a popular show that does this. 

The conventions used in the big question are facts. They will bring in people from both sides who know a lot about the topic and they will give some facts but will also give their own opinion. Another convention which is used in the big question is camera language. A lot of the time the camera will be in a long shot so we can see the two sides opposite each other and see their reactions to certain things which have been said. 

Chat show 

These are interviews with celebrity guests which will usually promote the celebrities product, movie or music video. It was also give us gossip as if they are going through a problem with someone the audience get to know the truth or their side of the story. An example, of this is the Ellen show where she has a lot of celebrity guest stars. 

The conventions which are used in the Ellen show are long shots of Ellen as we can watch Ellen sitting the chair with person she is talking about next to her. This will give us a better look and lets us see the reactions. Another convention which is used are interviews with the celebrities. It lets us know what it happening with them and what they got planned if they will be releasing something that people like will go and buy. 




Review show 

This is when experts in a certain field are debating about products or services. They will talk about it and this will let the audience form their own opinion on the product. An example of this is the book show where they will sit down and discuss books which will let the audience decide whether they want to buy that certain book. 


The conventions which are used are interviews with experts as they are able to give their own opinion for the audience. Another convention which are in this show is artificial lighting. It sets the calm scene for the show as it is a calm discussion about an authors book which will make the atmosphere relaxed for the audience. 



Magazine show 

This is a show that will appeal to a wide range of an audience by covering a wide range of topics, with interviews with members of the public and celebrities. An example of a show is the one show. They will interview members of the public who have done something and let them come onto the show and speak about what they done in more detail. 

The conventions which are used in the one show are close- up and long shots. These are used a lot because when the person is talking they would be zoomed into as they talk about something. However, when the hosts and the guest are both talking it will zoom out so we can see both the celebrity and the host and we can see their reactions to certain things that will happen in the show. Another convention which is used in the one show is archive footage. There will be times when they are talking about a topic and they will need to use archive footage to back them up.