Documentary Coursework Guidance
For this section of coursework you need:
- An essay on the conventions of the documentary genre.
- A documentary or extract from a documentary of around 5 minutes.
- A supporting account.
Written work
Introduction
What is a documentary? You could start with a definition of documentary.
Conventions
The following list is just some of the conventions we have discussed. You should add your own where you think it necessary. When discussing conventions you must ensure you include detailed examples from a variety of documentaries.
- Subtitles/captions
- Voiceover/narration
- Interviews – head and shoulders / in action
- Cutaways
- Archive / Home videos
- Handheld camera work
- Reconstructions
- Still images / Documents
- Experts / professionals
- Music: used to create atmosphere / related to subject
- A purpose: to investigate, to document, to persuade
- Facts and statistics
You should also consider subject matter: what sorts of things are suitable for the documentary treatment? Is it anything? In considering this aspect you could explore the opportunity documentary allows for ordinary people to be represented.
If you’re really keen you could make reference to the historical development of documentary, perhaps discussing early filmmaking (lots of real life) and how documentary has evolved more recently: reality TV is very popular and whilst some see it as all negative, others see it as an important reinvention of the documentary genre.
Producing your own documentary
You need to produce a documentary, or an extract from a documentary, of a maximum of 5 minutes. It should illustrate your understanding of the conventions of traditional documentaries.
To produce the documentary you will need:
- A group (maximum for 4).
- A focus: perhaps something to investigate, or something you want to document, or something about which you want to persuade viewers.
- A storyboard to ensure all shots are carefully considered.
- To organise actors, interviewees, props.
Suporting account
Afterwards you will need to write a supporting account. You should use the guidance on this site to help you write your supporting account.
