Summary of Codes and Conventions of documentaries

• "Talking head" interviews and "vox pop" interviews.
• Interviewee placed on the right/left of the camera looking off camera (looking space).
• Cutaways.
• Images/footage relating to text/voice including archive material.
• Backing music to tell the audience what to feel and also matches genre and audience.
• Narrator or presenter.
• All documentaries have a narrative structure and most are closed narrative (conclusion).
• Straight cuts to the next shot to make it seem more believable.
• Graphics - names/charts/information.
• Documentary type suits the TV channel and audience.
• Mise en scene signifies something in the documentary.
• Handheld camera work for drama and involvement.
• Factual and informative.