U27 LO2.

2 Written Essay
There are many different forms of documentarys that make TV documentarys work so
well. Most documentaries are not the same and are usually laid out different to make them
more original and more interesting for the audience. Different conventions that are situated
in the documentaries help it to become successful, but also more interesting and
entertaining for the audience

Expository
Expository documentaries are usually focusing around a specific person or a certain topic.
They are usually based around a commentator/voice over talking over the pictures or videos
and attempting to explain what is going on `in the scenes. The main conventions that are
situated in an expository type documentary would be; rhetorical questions, facts,
commentator, persuasive techniques and opinions (Slideshare, 2016).
An example of an expository documentary would be, The Scene [Link]

This is a clear example as it mostly has a commentator speaking over most of the scenes and
there are a lot of true facts situated in the documentary. Also the fact the documentary is
just talking about one specific topic, makes it more relatable to an expository documentary
format. The use of rhetorical questions and the use of facts and opinions are just another
sign it is an expository documentary lay out.

Observational
Observational documentaries tend to follow average peoples life, and observe the events
that happen in their life. Fewer interviews are used in general in an observational
documentary. A lot of long takes tend to be used, to show the journey so far, and
synchronous sound is also incorporated into the documentary. (Slideshare, 2016) The main
conventions of an observational documentary is that sometimes the cameras can be shaky,
to make it as realistic as possible and the language used tends to be informal. Usually
interviews arent used and voice over isnt regularly used either.

An example of an observational documentary would be, Teen Mom [Link]

This is a good example as it follows the lives of young mums and everything that happens in
their life. The fact that few interviews are actually taken place, whereas the main scenes
being shown is the actual drama unfolding, rather than a singular opinion from someone in
an interview, shows that it is an observational documentary. The lack of voice over in the
documentary and the camera stillness isnt perfect is another sign it is an observational
documentary.

Interactive
Interactive documentaries are usually more interesting and entertaining for the audience.
The interactive documentarys is based mainly on interviews, they intend to gather out
specific comments and responses from those who are being filmed (Morris, 2016). The main
conventions of an interactive documentary are that they are usually presented in a formal
manner and the documentary maker and the crew interact with the chosen subject they are
discussing. Also, they tend to use handheld camera more and the use of archive material is
also used to present originality
An example would be, Hollow - [Link]

This is a good example, as it clearly shows various different interviews taking place,
gathering different opinions and facts for the audience. The fact that the documentary is
presented in a formal manner, with very few slang words being used also tells us it is an

interactive documentary. Lastly, the crew tend to be heard in the documentary asking
questions, which is another sign it is an interactive documentary, as the crew tend to
interact with the specific topic being talked about.

Reflexive
A reflexive documentary is where the film maker acknowledges their presence in front of
the camera, by doing this they provide a narrative/voice over to the documentary alongside
it. Reflexive type of documentarys are also associated with experimental type of
documentaries. (Slideshare, 2016) This type of documentary is where the viewer is
interested as to how the film is constructed, as they are the actual content in the
documentary. The main conventions of reflexive documentaries are that they usually focus
around one specific topic. They tend to be more truthful and the voice over is usually
questioning and uncertain, instead of being authoritative and certain about a specific thing.
An example of a reflexive documentary would be, Lenny D [Link]

This is a good example of a reflexive documentary as the crew are clearly seen and
acknowledged by the audience easily, which is a sign it is a reflexive documentary. Also, the
documentary is focusing around one specific topic, which is a convention of an reflexive
documentary. Lastly, the use of an uncertain voice over is another sign it is an reflexive
documentary, as they are usually present in it.

Performative
A participatory documentary is when the situations and events that are presented in a
documentary are purposefully altered and influenced, by the filmmaker for a specific
reason. Performative documentaries tend to acknowledge the subjective and emotional
aspects of the documentary. In a performative documentary the maker tends to comment
on the process of making that specific documentary. The conventions in a performative
documentary are that it is often shaped into the narrative of investigation or search. It
sometimes might have an unsatisfactory conclusion. Lastly, the gender is usually addressed
in an emotional and direct way throughout.

An example of performative documentary would be, The Confessional [Link]

This is a good example, as it shows various different events that are occurring in someones
life and has clearly being edited and manipulated in a certain way. The main outline of the
documentary is set out in a narrative form, following several different peoples stories and
events that have been going on. The documentary is also quite effective and is set out
almost as if there is a script that is being followed, as it done with very little errors during it.

Realism
A realism documentary is something that is very accurate and is supposed to be very reliable
and believe for the audience. Is based around real life events and have many facts and
opinions in it. The main conventions of a realism documentary are that an authoritys
presenter is usually present throughout most of the documentary. (Slideshare, 2016) The
use of voice over is used quite a bit, and is formal when it is used. Also interviews are used
and visual evidence is used to make it as reliable and accurate as possible, with archive
footage being used sometimes as well.

A good example would be, The Real Pompeii - [Link]

This is a good example as it is based on a real life event and can be seen to be very accurate
and reliable due to it being on a historical channel, makes the audience believe it must be a
realism type documentary due to the format of the show. The use of voice over and the fact
it is very formal is another identification it is a realistic documentary. Lastly, the fact that
interviews are used in the documentary, but usually cut back to the general footage and
vice versa, is another way the audience would know this is a realism drama, due to the
layout and structure of it.

Dramatization
A dramatization is mainly used throughout in documentarys that are mainly biased and
prejudice to get a one sided opinion, through the use of dramatic scenes and footage. It is
mainly an exaggeration of a topic that is slowly built up within that specific documentary. It
can sometimes create negative headlines, as they are aimed strongly towards a specific
view that not everyone may agree on. (Slideshare, 2016) The main conventions within a
dramatized documentary are the use of dramatic storys and topics within the documentary.
Also voice over tends to be used, with it being fairly informal mostly, but can also be
informal at certain periods.

A good example of a dramatization documentary would be, Surviving Disaster [Link]

This is a good example of a dramatized documentary, as it is very dramatic from the very
beginning of the documentary and throughout. The use of dramatic sound effects and on
screen writing makes the general documentary very dramatic and serious which is a clear
identification it is a dramatized documentary. Also, the use of acted footage to re-create
events that happened is another sign it is a drama documentary, as it does in a more serious
and dramatic way to make it seem more serious and probably worse than what it was.
Lastly, the use of voice is another clear example of the format of documentary, as it tends to
be very formal in some places, but also quite informal in other places in the documentary.

Narrativisation
A narrativisation documentary is almost like a story, as it tells a journey with a begging,
middle and end like a book. Usually the documentary will be focused on a certain topic or a
person and base the general documentary around that. (Slideshare, 2016) The usual
conventions of narrative documentary are that are voice over is generally used over scenes
with no speech in them. The voice over is usually very certain, accurate and formal to
present severity on that topic for the audience. Most narrative documentarys tend to be
based abroad, but can be based anywhere really.
An example of a narrative documentary would be, The Bandhavi Story [Link]

This is a good example as it starts with a beginning and an end and follows a specific
structure throughout the documentary. A specific topic is chosen and the main
documentary is focused on that mainly. The general documentary is set in Bandhavi, which
is another sign it is a narrative documentary. Lastly, the use of the voice over, which is very
formal and accurate is another identification the documentary is in a narrative structure.

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