A Level Media

Documentary
Athea Carolino
Purpose and Definition of a documentary
Purpose:

The purpose of a documentary is to inform, document and entertain.

Documentaries tend to use actuality footage and or reconstruction to document
events. The purpose was to use real life situations to give the public an insight to
other people’s lives, creating empathy and national identity.

Definition:
A film or a TV programme that intends to provide factual reports of an event or a particular subject. It also
contains pictures or interviews with people involved in real events.
Brief history of a documentary
The term documentary was coined by a man called John Grieson in 1926. He also
defined the key principles in 1930 with his film unit the General Post Office.

According to John there are 5 defining features of a Documentary these are:

● Observation - footage that observes real life events and the camera isn’t
acknowledged
● Interviews - A structured conversation that gives audience information.
● Mise en scene - Reflects the subject of the documentary, creates meaning for
the audience
● Dramatisation - When real life events are made more dramatic
● Exposition - Line of argument. For example, what the documentary may be
saying
Narrative devices in a documentary
The documentary could be open or closed ending. Linear or non-linear. Multi or single stranded

Open ending - Ends in a cliffhanger. The audience is able to use their imagination on how the narrative
ends.

Closed ending - The narrative is fully told. The ending is completed.

Linear - This is when the story is in chronological order. From beginning, middle to end.

Non-linear - This is the complete opposite. The story could start from the end and work it way to the
beginning, using flashbacks.

Multi-stranded - This is where a story is told from multiple perspectives, they all have their own story lines
within the narrative

Single-stranded - This is when the narrative is solely focused and revolves around one person. Usually
the main character and is followed beginning to end.
6 different types of documentary
Docu-drama: Dramatized television film based on real events. Examples - Michael Jackson,
Apollo 13, Surviving Epstein.

Fly on the wall: Observation type. The camera is usually not acknowledged. Mostly used on reality
TV Examples - KUWTK, Real housewives

Mixed: Involves a combination of interviews, observation and archival and actual footage.
Examples - The last dance, Tupac Documentary.

Docusoap: Following people in an occupation/location over a period of time. Examples - 24hrs in

A&E

Fully Narrated: Voice over to help audience understand what is going on. Commonly used in
Wildlife documentaries. Examples - Planet of the Earth

Self Reflective: Documentary about themselves. Examples - Fear of 13.

Conventional interview set up

● In this picture, it shows that the interviewee is

seen not looking at the camera directly. Instead he
is seen facing slightly off camera speaking to the
interviewer.
● This makes the interview less awkward and more
natural. The interviewer should also be aligned
with the camera, so that the eyeline matches the
interviewee and the camera.
● If the interviewee is sat on the left side of the
screen, the interviewer should be sat on the
opposite right side.
● Rule of thirds
● Leaving room in the side of the frame - allows
audience to see background set
The Final 24 - Tupac Shakur
Documentary type: Mixed mixture of observational footage and narrative. Uses interviews,
observational footage and voice over. Examples - has old interview and concert footages of
tupac. Interviews of Tupac’s close friends and family.

Narrative Structure:
Linear structure - move backwards and forwards of story. Time stamps leading up to Tupac Shakur's death, however also
flashbacks to Tupac's childhood, growing up, and home life. Also goes back to Tupac journey to success. Talks about his music,
beliefs, values.

Open ending - still to this day Tupac's death is still a mystery. Don't know who killed Tupac. Unsolved
Single stranded narrative - main focus is Tupac and his death. Lots of minor characters, e.g bodyguards, friends, mother,
relatives. Single stranded
A Level Media
Documentary
Athea Carolino
Purpose and Definition of a documentary
Purpose:

The purpose of a documentary is to inform, document and entertain.

Documentaries tend to use actuality footage and or reconstruction to document
events. The purpose was to use real life situations to give the public an insight to
other people’s lives, creating empathy and national identity.

Definition:
A film or a TV programme that intends to provide factual reports of an event or a particular subject. It also
contains pictures or interviews with people involved in real events.
Brief history of a documentary
The term documentary was coined by a man called John Grieson in 1926. He also
defined the key principles in 1930 with his film unit the General Post Office.

According to John there are 5 defining features of a Documentary these are:

● Observation - footage that observes real life events and the camera isn’t
acknowledged
● Interviews - A structured conversation that gives audience information.
● Mise en scene - Reflects the subject of the documentary, creates meaning for
the audience
● Dramatisation - When real life events are made more dramatic
● Exposition - Line of argument. For example, what the documentary may be
saying
Narrative devices in a documentary
The documentary could be open or closed ending. Linear or non-linear. Multi or single stranded

Open ending - Ends in a cliffhanger. The audience is able to use their imagination on how the narrative
ends.

Closed ending - The narrative is fully told. The ending is completed.

Linear - This is when the story is in chronological order. From beginning, middle to end.

Non-linear - This is the complete opposite. The story could start from the end and work it way to the
beginning, using flashbacks.

Multi-stranded - This is where a story is told from multiple perspectives, they all have their own story lines
within the narrative

Single-stranded - This is when the narrative is solely focused and revolves around one person. Usually
the main character and is followed beginning to end.
6 different types of documentary
Docu-drama: Dramatized television film based on real events. Examples - Michael Jackson,
Apollo 13, Surviving Epstein.

Fly on the wall: Observation type. The camera is usually not acknowledged. Mostly used on reality
TV Examples - KUWTK, Real housewives

Mixed: Involves a combination of interviews, observation and archival and actual footage.
Examples - The last dance, Tupac Documentary.

Docusoap: Following people in an occupation/location over a period of time. Examples - 24hrs in

A&E

Fully Narrated: Voice over to help audience understand what is going on. Commonly used in
Wildlife documentaries. Examples - Planet of the Earth

Self Reflective: Documentary about themselves. Examples - Fear of 13.

Conventional interview set up

● In this picture, it shows that the interviewee is

seen not looking at the camera directly. Instead he
is seen facing slightly off camera speaking to the
interviewer.
● This makes the interview less awkward and more
natural. The interviewer should also be aligned
with the camera, so that the eyeline matches the
interviewee and the camera.
● If the interviewee is sat on the left side of the
screen, the interviewer should be sat on the
opposite right side.
● Rule of thirds
● Leaving room in the side of the frame - allows
audience to see background set
The Final 24 - Tupac Shakur
Documentary type: Mixed mixture of observational footage and narrative. Uses interviews,
observational footage and voice over. Examples - has old interview and concert footages of
tupac. Interviews of Tupac’s close friends and family.

Narrative Structure:
Linear structure - move backwards and forwards of story. Time stamps leading up to Tupac Shakur's death, however also
flashbacks to Tupac's childhood, growing up, and home life. Also goes back to Tupac journey to success. Talks about his music,
beliefs, values.

Open ending - still to this day Tupac's death is still a mystery. Don't know who killed Tupac. Unsolved
Single stranded narrative - main focus is Tupac and his death. Lots of minor characters, e.g bodyguards, friends, mother,
relatives. Single stranded
The Final 24 - Tupac Shakur
Cinematography Editing

● Rule of thirds - during interviews ● Archive of old footage

● Extreme close up shots of people being interviewed. ● Super imposition
Focuses on the emotion and attitude talking about ● Fade transitions
Tupac Shakur. ● Fast paced, cross cutting - cuts to whatever they
● Medium close up - standard when doing interviews.
Can see face and body language are talking about
● Shallow depth of field ● Montage, Time lapse

Mise en scene Sound

● Correlates to theme/genre of documentary
● Diamonds, gold chains, jewelry. Signifies their status ● Sound of old interviews
● Dressed like stereotypical celebrities/gangsters
● Non diegetic sounds - Voice over
● Limousine, alcohol, tattoos. Clubs/ Parties
● Soundtrack - Tupac music
● Incidental music - general hip hop beats
Don’t Blame Facebook
Documentary Type: Mixed - A mixture of observational and narrative to advance the exposition. This
type of documentary mixes the use of interviews, voice over and observational footage.

● Interviews
● Archival and observational
footage

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
 
Linear narrative - multiple stories told beginning middle end
Closed ending - explained how the multiple stories ended and the consequences of it
Multi - stranded
Don’t Blame Facebook
Editing

Cinematography ● Flashbacks/re anactment of stories being told

● Rule of Thirds
● Medium long shot - see face and body language
● ●
Over shoulder shot
● ●
Extreme close up on ‘Residents Only’
Mise en scene
● Casual clothing - normal nothing extravagant - shows
these are ordinary people, shows people that they
should always be cautious when on social media. Can
easily be a victim
● Natural high key lighting
● Model - hair all done, makeup, nails, nice dress
● Settings - again casual backgrounds, at comfort of own
home, back of alleyways
● Montage of photos/videos
● Black and white filter on police - more intimidating,
dull, lifeless
Cross fade between shots
Crosscutting
● Animation of facebook posts/videos
● Ending - black & white - flashback of interview
Sound
● Incidental music during montages - music suits theme
of story e.g the story of the british guard james bond
theme song was played - connotations of british
● Non diegetic sounds - Voice over
● Sound effects of computer typing/hacking - jail cells
closing - crime
● Upbeat music
Ghosts on the underground
Documentary Type: Mixed - A mixture of observational and narrative to advance the exposition. This type
of documentary mixes the use of interviews, voice over and observational footage.
 

Interviews
Archival Footage
Narrative

Linear narrative - Stories told middle beginning and end.

Open ending - There's no actual conclusion to the stories - don’t know if they are true or not.
mysteries/stories remain unsolved. Fully not explained.
Multi stranded
 

Ghosts on the underground
Cinematography
● Establishing shot - close up shot of underground sign
●  Extreme long shot of trainstation empty - adds to
scary themes of ghosts. empty train station contrasts
the how busy it is in the day.
● wide shot make train station look really big could get
lost
● Tracking shot of empty train station - following one
man/woman
●  extreme close ups of objects - e.g empty elevator door
closing, lights, empty trains passing by
● zooming out - man stood in the middle of an empty
train station - makes him look very small, weak,
vulnerable
Mise en scene
● settings - low light. background very dark, ominous
mysterious - reflects on the theme of the documentary.
● costume - suit, glasses, tie - professional job
● Interviewees - some wearing casual formal attire some
wearing casual clothing. - All different types of people
experienced paranormal activity. Formal attire -
professional jobs
Editing
● from title - fades to black screen
● Montage of lots of people boarding trains lining up
● credit screen at end ending fades to black
● Crosscutting
Sound
● incidental sound - kind of eerie music
●  sound effects of training moving
● incidental music - piano keys counting down. eerie
● voice over - explaining name, job titles, summary of
stories
● Non diegetic sound - voiceover
The Final 24 - Tupac Shakur
Cinematography Editing

● Rule of thirds - during interviews ● Archive of old footage

● Extreme close up shots of people being interviewed. ● Super imposition
Focuses on the emotion and attitude talking about ● Fade transitions
Tupac Shakur. ● Fast paced, cross cutting - cuts to whatever they
● Medium close up - standard when doing interviews.
Can see face and body language are talking about
● Shallow depth of field ● Montage, Time lapse

Mise en scene Sound

● Correlates to theme/genre of documentary
● Diamonds, gold chains, jewelry. Signifies their status ● Sound of old interviews
● Dressed like stereotypical celebrities/gangsters
● Non diegetic sounds - Voice over
● Limousine, alcohol, tattoos. Clubs/ Parties
● Soundtrack - Tupac music
● Incidental music - general hip hop beats
Don’t Blame Facebook
Documentary Type: Mixed - A mixture of observational and narrative to advance the exposition. This
type of documentary mixes the use of interviews, voice over and observational footage.

● Interviews
● Archival and observational
footage

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
 
Linear narrative - multiple stories told beginning middle end
Closed ending - explained how the multiple stories ended and the consequences of it
Multi - stranded
Don’t Blame Facebook
Editing

Cinematography ● Flashbacks/re anactment of stories being told

● Rule of Thirds
● Medium long shot - see face and body language
● ●
Over shoulder shot
● ●
Extreme close up on ‘Residents Only’
Mise en scene
● Casual clothing - normal nothing extravagant - shows
these are ordinary people, shows people that they
should always be cautious when on social media. Can
easily be a victim
● Natural high key lighting
● Model - hair all done, makeup, nails, nice dress
● Settings - again casual backgrounds, at comfort of own
home, back of alleyways
● Montage of photos/videos
● Black and white filter on police - more intimidating,
dull, lifeless
Cross fade between shots
Crosscutting
● Animation of facebook posts/videos
● Ending - black & white - flashback of interview
Sound
● Incidental music during montages - music suits theme
of story e.g the story of the british guard james bond
theme song was played - connotations of british
● Non diegetic sounds - Voice over
● Sound effects of computer typing/hacking - jail cells
closing - crime
● Upbeat music
Ghosts on the underground
Documentary Type: Mixed - A mixture of observational and narrative to advance the exposition. This type
of documentary mixes the use of interviews, voice over and observational footage.
 

Interviews
Archival Footage
Narrative

Linear narrative - Stories told middle beginning and end.

Open ending - There's no actual conclusion to the stories - don’t know if they are true or not.
mysteries/stories remain unsolved. Fully not explained.
Multi stranded
 

Ghosts on the underground
Cinematography
● Establishing shot - close up shot of underground sign
●  Extreme long shot of trainstation empty - adds to
scary themes of ghosts. empty train station contrasts
the how busy it is in the day.
● wide shot make train station look really big could get
lost
● Tracking shot of empty train station - following one
man/woman
●  extreme close ups of objects - e.g empty elevator door
closing, lights, empty trains passing by
● zooming out - man stood in the middle of an empty
train station - makes him look very small, weak,
vulnerable
Mise en scene
● settings - low light. background very dark, ominous
mysterious - reflects on the theme of the documentary.
● costume - suit, glasses, tie - professional job
● Interviewees - some wearing casual formal attire some
wearing casual clothing. - All different types of people
experienced paranormal activity. Formal attire -
professional jobs
Editing
● from title - fades to black screen
● Montage of lots of people boarding trains lining up
● credit screen at end ending fades to black
● Crosscutting
Sound
● incidental sound - kind of eerie music
●  sound effects of training moving
● incidental music - piano keys counting down. eerie
● voice over - explaining name, job titles, summary of
stories
● Non diegetic sound - voiceover