Generic Research: Academic article notes

Expository conventions- 

Rich Kids of Instagram shown on Channel 4- Link here

1. Voiceover, which is aimed at audience directly 
2. This is often heard but not seen but could also be seen and heard
3. Images can be used to illustrate this
4. Continuity editing is used to link the footage together 
5. Interviews, stills and archive materials are used 
6. Logos is a technique used in attempt to persuade the audience of a point of view

Observational conventions-  

The Secret Life of 4 year olds shown Channel 4- Link here

1. Hand held cameras are used
2. Many longer takes tend to dominate the footage
3. The sound recorded is often synchronous
4. There is sometimes no voiceover recorded
5. No interviews are included
6. The subjects pretend they're not being filmed

Participatory or interactive conventions- 

Michael Jackson documentary- Link 

1. The makers and crew interact with the subject
2. The interviews tend to be more relaxed and 'on the run' questioning
3. Lots of archive material is included e.g. stills and news footage 
4. Hand held cameras as also used
5. Long takes dominate the shot types
6. Synchronous sound is also used
7. The maker of the documentary is often the voiceover 
8. The maker therefore, participates in the action of the documentary

Examples of documentary from each type...


Performative: Super size Me Link here

Reflexive:Behind Bars Link here




Poetic: Life in a day- Link here