Generic Research: Looking at other documentaries

Click here for a link to the extract of the 'Night Mail'

What are the similarities and differences it has with contemporary media? 

• The narration over the top of the clips informs the audience what the extract is about
• There are many facts and figures to back up what is being explained
• Foley sound is used for a sense of realism in regards to what actions are taking place
• Diegetic sound in the form of speech is used, to bring the characters being watched to life more
• The editing is fairly fast paced, with a dissolved technique between takes

• The camera movement is very shaky and often out of focus, which is often hard to watch
• It is in black and white due to colour not being available then
• There was a lack of interviews which nowadays would be heavily used in contemporary media
• There is no superimpose writing over the top of the takes e.g. the facts would now usually be written over the top of the take