GENRE

RESEARCH
By Kieran D

Task 1, Unit 27, LO3.1, Genre Research

CONTENTS
1.

News

2.

Documentary

3.

Docudrama

4.

Docusoap

5.

Infotainment

6.

Reality TV

7.

Educational

8.

Wildlife

9.

Special Interest

10. Makeover
11. Magazine
12. Review
13. Chat Show

NEWS
News is a broadcast report of newly received information, especially about

recent events.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

The studio news readers wear smart suits and speak formally to sound

professional. Stationed in a studio to carry out the news reports.

The things that you would expect to see in a news programme are,

interviews, links to the studio, actual footage and eye witnesses.

The field reporters wear some form of formal clothing, while still putting up

a positive mood and speaking informally.

References
bruce, I. (2012) News Codes and Conventions. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/iainbruce/news-codes-andconventions (Accessed: 11 May 2016).
teddiebmxa (2012) Conventions of a News Show. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/teddiebmxa/conventions-of-anews-show (Accessed: 11 May 2016).
Terms, P.I. (2016b) Codes and conventions of news programs. Available at: https://prezi.com/aly-l2gmf3vz/codes-andconventions-of-news-programs/ (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

NEWS
The reason this fits the genre, is

because the presenter is dressed

formally, she speaks professional
towards the camera, the presenter
keeps constant eye contact with the
camera, she has a positive mood all
the way through the news report
and she is sitting a organised and
clean studio to conduct the news
report.
Sam Smith (2014) BBC world news the
world today 20 January 2014 tribute to
Komla Dumor (part 2). Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=h5hkTDVZAck (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

DOCUMENTARY
A Documentary is a film using pictures, videos and interviews with people

involved in real events to provide a factual report on a specific subject.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

The voiceover will have to be trustworthy in some way to make audience

believe that what comes out of the narrators mouth be true.

If there is going to be an experiment in the documentary, that involves

multiple days, there has to be the use of text/titles to explain how days
have passed.

Archive footage is used to show a variety of views on a topic. A soundtrack

may be added to the visuals.

References
(no date) Definition of documentary. Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?
gfe_rd=cr&ei=fX8LV9yINuzU8gesvrqYDA&gws_rd=ssl#q=define+documentary (Accessed: 11 May 2016b).
Terms, P.I. (2016a) Codes and conventions documentary. Available at: https://prezi.com/kulnf914jati/codes-andconventions-documentary (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

DOCUMENTARY
The reason why this documentary

fits the genre, is because the

narrator has a very professional
voice, the soundtrack in the
background, fits the style of the
documentary nicely and it shows
important and crucial things in the
documentary to show what the film
is about.
Incredible Videos HD (2015) The deepest place
on earth amazing full documentary 2015.
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=H6HmEXTPAfc (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

DOCUDRAMA
A Docudrama or documentary drama is a genre of radio and television

programming and feature films, which features dramatized re-enactments

of actual events.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

A variety of shot types are used to entertain and sustain the audiences

interest of the docudrama.

When editing, effects and transitions are kept to a minimum, e.g. fast, slow.
Archive material for e.g. films, TV and websites, must be relevant to the

subject being presented.

References
daniellecleary (2012) Documentary drama. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/daniellecleary/codes-andconventions-of-the-documentary-drama (Accessed: 11 May 2016).
(no date) Definition of docdrama. Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=docudrama (Accessed: 11
May 2016).

DOCUDRAMA
The reason why this docudrama fits

the genre, is because, it is edited in

a unique to make it look really
entertaining, it uses mostly cut
transitions and that makes it look
modern and everything that is in
the docudrama relates to the
programme being showed.

Reviewer Archive (2014) Micro men - (Sinclair

vs. Acorn BBC docudrama). Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=hco_Av2DJ8o (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

DOCUSOAP
A Docusoap is a documentary following people in a particular occupation or

location over a period of time.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

They are set in a particular place, and usually in only one location.
They generally focus on family life and personal relationships.
The camera follows certain characters that have the most importance on

screen.

References
daniellecleary (2012) Documentary drama. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/daniellecleary/codes-andconventions-of-the-documentary-drama (Accessed: 11 May 2016).
(no date) Definition of docdrama. Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=docudrama (Accessed: 11
May 2016a).

DOCUSOAP
The reason why this Docusoap (The

Only Way is Essex) fits to the genre,

is because, the storylines are
mainly focusing on family life, it
uses a variety of camera shots to
express the emotions of the
characters and that is set one place
that has an effect of the situation.
The Only Way Is Essex (2013) Lucys
suspicions about Mario. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=95i66tu3hqQ (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

INFOTAINMENT
An Infotainment is a broadcast material which is intended both to entertain

and to inform.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Reporters that come on to speak about a specific topic, they need to know

all about it.

Provide entertaining and sometimes hilarious content in the programme to

make the audience really interested.

References
(no date) Definition of infotainment. Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?
gfe_rd=cr&ei=e_wMV5H3FKqN8QfR75zIBw&gws_rd=ssl#q=define+infotainment (Accessed: 11 May 2016).
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

INFOTAINMENT
The reason why this Discovery

Channel programme fits the genre, is

because, in between interviews, the
programme provide shots of cities,
nature and The Earth. That provides
stuff for audience to awe at. Another
reason why this programme fits the
genre, is because, the voiceovers
know what to say and the audience
can clearly know what he is saying.
ClimateState (2012) Discovery channel.
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=xcVwLrAavyA (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

REALITY TV
Reality TV are television programmes in which ordinary people are

continuously filmed and designed to be entertaining rather than

informative.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

There are absolutely no actors, there only real people.
The people that watch reality TV, get to interact with the programme by

voting and participating in the show.

It provides an element of competition, with the participants interacting with

each other.

References
(no date) Definition of realty tv. Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=define+reality+tv (Accessed:
11 May 2016).
Raji, B. (2010) Reality TV. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/belair1981/reality-tv-revision-4525638 (Accessed: 11

REALITY TV
The reason why these Reality TV

shows fit the genre, is because, they

all allow the audience watching the
programme to vote for their
favourite people, they all provide
different types of entertainment for
people to enjoy and that it has a lot
of editing in it to make the show
sound and look really realistic.
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (2015)
Vicky Pattison is crowned jungle queen.
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cHAS-cD6zHU (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

EDUCATIONAL
An Educational programme is designed to intended or serving to educate

or enlighten audiences.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Educational programmes have several target audiences (children, teens,

adults).

There are two ways Educational television can be presented. One way is

being very factual and driven towards the straight topic. That one is for an
older audience. Another one is, with moral's and characters learning
something through a story.

References
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

EDUCATIONAL
The reason why Barney and Friends

fits the genre, is because, it teaches

children aged 1-8 through the songs
and dancing and Barney and
Friends is an example of a factual
programme.

BeaKid1994 (2011) Barney and friends: Oh,

brother...Shes my sister (season 4, episode 18).
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=W9OIzeokSuA (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

WILDLIFE
Wildlife is a programme where there is a history about wildlife, for e.g.

animals, plants.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Most of the programme will be outside.
Camera focuses more on the animals or plants.
People wear outside gear and equipment.

References
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

WILDLIFE
The reason why this wildlife show,

Deadly 60, fits the genre, is

because, the camera focuses on
both the humans and the animals
and nature and the audience can
get a close up of the animals so
they can see what the animals
really look like.

BBC Earth (2014) Orinoco crocodile protects her

nest - deadly 60 - series 3 - BBC. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=olYnWXqM7YQ (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

SPECIAL INTEREST
A Special interest programme is another genre of factual programmes, but

it only appeals to people who like that type of programme.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Should have elements of humour in it, to make it enjoyable to watch.
Determined by the theme of the show, the presenter(s) should wear types

of clothes that relate to the theme of the show.

References
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

SPECIAL INTEREST
The reason why this show, Top

Gear, fits the genre, is because, it

has multiple presenters in it and
that makes it more interesting to
watch, it also has a studio layout in
it to make it look modern and it also
has fascinating extras in it to make
audience more curious to know
what happens next in the
programme.
BBC (2009) Top gear: The cool wall - series 13
episode 7 - BBC Two. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=kdaRbNWVrb8 (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

MAKEOVER
A Makeover is part of the reality TV genre, where real peoples life are

changed for the better, whether it is their physical appearance or the

house that they live in.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Makeover shows usually use real, public people.
Has a light-hearted and positive tone to the programme.
Multiple makeover shows only focus on one gender only.

References
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

MAKEOVER
The reason why this show, 10 Years
Younger, fits the genre, is because, it
has a heart warming feeling to the
show, it uses real people for the
things that they do in the show and
not actors and the show is only
focusing on one gender, which in this
point, females.
10 Years Younger (2009) Marilyns big reveal 10 years younger. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Ky80Ya8ysHo (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

MAGAZINES
A Magazine show is like other chat shows, but the news consists of multiple

short segments.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

The segments can be really detailed, to get as much information as

possible into the short segments.

The news reporters will have to be formally dressed, like other news

reporters on other news channels.

References
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).
Dictionary (no date) The definition of magazine, in Available at: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/magazine
(Accessed: 16 May 2016).

MAGAZINES
The reason why this show, BBC

Breakfast, fits the genre, is

because, the programme is shown
in the morning and that makes it
the perfect time for short news
reports to be shown on TV and the
presenters are formally dressed
while carrying out the new reports
to the viewers.
danisnotonfirevyou1 (2015) Dan +
phil on bbc breakfast. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efQAoUuov0 (Accessed: 16 May
2016).

DISCUSSION
A Discussion show is where people in a studio panel discuss all sorts of

things. These programmes may need experts in, to know what the people
are talking about and if they are specific to the topic that they are talking
about.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

May have a range of people, from like 10 to 50, talking about a certain

subject.

Most of the Discussion shows, will be shown as a multiple camera

production.

Some of the people/experts will be in normal clothing, while others will be

References
formally dressed to look truthworthy.
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:

http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

DISCUSSION
The reason why this show, Loose

Women, fits the genre, is because,

most of the people are not formally
dresses and that makes them look
like normal people, the show has
multiple camera set up to get a
range of different camera shots and
there is a right amount of people on
the show to be talking.
Loose Women (2016) Katie Prices sons
thoughts on plastic surgery | loose women.
Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Suumrzd8Tnc (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

REVIEW
A Review show is where a group of presenter try out new products or

services and then judging them about how good or bad they are.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

The presenters will just be in normal clothing, because they probably want

to show that they are normal people who want to try out the products or
services.

Details of the product or service, may be put on the screen to tell the

audience how much it costs and if they recommend it or not.

References
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).

REVIEW
The reason why this show, The

Gadget Show, fits the genre, is

because, the presenters are not
formally dressed, the interviews are
really detailed and the products get
cleared reviewed at the end of the
show.
Haider Baloch (2015) The gadget show S24E02.
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8NvC6VHLC2g (Accessed: 16 May 2016).

CHAT SHOW
A chat show is a television programme, where normal people or celebrities

are invited to talk about various topics.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Almost everyone that will be on stage, will be formally dressed.
Most chat shows are studio based.
Most of the time, there will be a live audience watching the show in the

studio.

References
MorganMedia (2012) Analysis of Factual Programming. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factual-programming.html (Accessed: 11 May 2016).
Google (no date) Definition of chat show. Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=DEFINE+chat+show
(Accessed: 16 May 2016).

CHAT SHOW
The reason why this show, The

Jeremy Kyle Show, fits the genre, is

because, the show is studio based
and that makes it more interesting
to watch, there is a live audience
watching the action unfold and
everyone that is on the show are
wearing the appropriate type of
clothing.

The Jeremy Kyle Show (2016) Violent immature mother

gets kicked off stage. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=5MZ92xNyJQc&nohtml5=False (Accessed: 16 May
2016).