Documentary modes and techniques we used.

1. DOCUMENTARY
MODES
CONVENTIONS OF DOCUMENTARY

2. EXPOSITORY MODE
• This mode is most associated with the documentary
genre.
• Seen in News programs an information videos.
• Often an ‘omniscient’ voice over, addressing the
audience directly.
• Documentary often polemical, opinions are
supported by images and statistics.
- We are using this style in our film, as we are informing
the viewer on a subject, with voiceover and statistics.

3. OBSERVATIONAL
MODE
• Fly on the wall style.
• Events are merely observed and recorded.
• No ‘takes’, formal interviews or reenactments.
• Generally there is no voice over or onscreen
presenter.
• The behavior of those involved is as if there are no
cameras present.
- This would not work for our documentary as we need
the audience to be informed on ‘meninism’, therefore a
news like and professional mode would be better.

4. PARTICIPATORY MODE
• A presenter is seen on screen.
• They induct interviews and VoxPop’s, they address people
in the film formally.
• Often create a relationship with the audience.
• Filmmaker is so involved that the point of the
documentary can become extremely believable, and bias.
• Strong audience manipulation.
- We considered this option in our documentary but based on
audience questionnaire we are using a voice over. Also we
are aiming for an objective documentary, but with this mode
topics can become subjective easily.

5. REFLEXIVE MODE
• This is where there is a constant reminder to the audience
that they are watching a documentary.
• Aim to readjust the preconceived idea on a topic.
• Techniques are used to jar the audience and think about
the way of filming documentaries
• Voice overs, text and images can still be used.
- We did not use this mode as we are focusing on a topic not
trying to make the audience think about the documenting
process. Again we want our to be reminiscent of our previous
research into other documentaries, and of news shows, so
Reflexive would not fit.

6. DOCUMENTARY
TECHNIQUES
• Ambient sound; allowing the diegetic sound of the clip to
be heard. We are using this during the VoxPops’s so that
the knowledge that they are short impromptu interviews is
obvious.
• Titles/graphics; when text is seen on screen, giving added
information. This will be used when giving the statistics,
though there will be a voice over accompanying it these
will also relay the info.
• Positioning; in formal interviews the interviewee must be
placed off center and often in a medium close up. We kept
this convention throughout, also having the background
of the interviews add to the content rather than take away.

7. VOICEOVER &
INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES
• Indirect interview technique; when the interviewer is not
seen, this can create a better link between viewer and
interviewee. We used this as are using a voice over so and
on camera presence would break this continuity.
• Voice Over; a voice can be hear off camera describing
events seen or giving extra information, voice can become
both subjective and objective depending on the
filmmakers wishes. We are using a voice over as we are
making an informative documentary so do not need
excessive connection with the audience (as a onscreen
presenter may cause), a voice over will better relay facts.