Monday, 5 October 2009

Codes and Conventions of documentaries

Mise-en-scene

  • Location
  • Pictures in background related to topic of the documentary
  • Talking heads (positions)
  • Original footage
  • Staged events
  • Reconstructions
  • Props related to subject
  • Simple background
  • Code of attire – reveals position of the interviewee

Editing

  • Cutaways
  • Fade in, fade out
  • Juxtaposition
  • Not continuity
  • Dissolves

Lighting

  • Natural lighting – authenticity (day/night)
  • Studio lighting – talking heads
  • Reconstruction – darker
  • Related to genre – Marilyn Manson

Sound

  • Voice over
  • Music
  • Talking – no questions
  • Diegetic/Non diegetic
  • Voice of interviews
  • Clip sounds

Themes

  • Real – non fiction

Narrative

  • Propps theory
  • Linear narrative
  • Bionary opposites

Archive footage

  • Zapruder – JFK   
  • Historical/interviews
  • Films
  • Concerts
  • Music videos
  • Hand-held mobile phone footage

Graphics

  • Maps etc
  • Names and dates

Camera shots

  • Point of view
  • Close up
  • Establishing shot – location
  • Hand-held for authenticity
  • Slow motion
  • Pans
  • Zooms
  • Tracking shots
  • Long takes
  • Reaction shots


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