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Mock News Report

Documenting documentaries

Realism
Realism is when the documentary shows real information and facts and has actuality footage to prove this.  Realism has a number of conventions in it to make it seem as real possible, some of the footage will be handheld filming as they wont have time to set up a tripod and the camera so it is quicker to start filming instantly.  Sometimes the filming has bad lighting and sound quality because it wouldn't have been filmed in a location where it would be easy to set all that up.  Lastly they would interview eye witnesses to tell the audience what has happened. 
Dramatisation
Dramatisation is when a documentary adds suspense to the scene to make it more dramatic and appeal to the audience, the music can also add drama to the situation.  Adding drama to a documentary makes you want to keep watching to see what the outcome is, some of the conventions used in dramatisation are close ups, music and editing; these are used to show the presenters face to show how they feel without necessarily giving their opinion, they use music to make a situation seem more real and serious and the way they edit the shots together also add suspense and drama. 
Narrativisation
Narrativisation is when the documentary tells a story to the audience, it doesn't have to start from the beginning it can start at the most suspenseful moment and then back track to explain how they got there.   In narrtivisation you may have voice overs to explain what is happening and to tel the story whist watching actuality footage or a reconstruction, the documentary tells the story of what is happening in a way that keeps the audience interested in what is being shown.  

The Expository Mode
Expository documentaries "emphases verbal communication and argumentative logic" Many nature documentaries are expository as they usually have a presenter which tells the story of the program.  In an expository documentary there will usually have a voice over telling the audience the story and talking about what is happening and possibly why they are doing this.  
Planet earth is a documentary that was filmed over a five year period and tells the story of biomes and habitats over a certain amount of time.  Each episode shows the life of a different biome or habitat on earth, the filming took place in several locations and we get to see what they are like; polar, mountain, cave, desert, fresh waters, seas, oceans and forests.  It also features a behind-the-scenes look at how they filmed planet earth which is 10 minutes long and shows how they set up for the shots and how they choose and know where to film.  In planet earth David Attenborough tells us all about the different animals and plants and how they survive in the conditions they live in, he also talks about what they eat and how the animals hunt for their food, the audience want this information because we can see it rather than just be told it, we can see the animals hunt for their food rather than just see a picture of it.  

 Realism adds the harshness of these conditions by filming for a long time to get the best footage.  If the camera man were to chase the animals to try and get an accurate view of how they act we wouldn't be able to see the animals do anything in their natural habitat as the camera man would of scared them away and this wouldn't make the documentary real, by placing a camera in a certain place and leaving it to film for a couple of days they can get a real look at how they act.  Having such a well known presenter like David Attenborough presenting the documentary we can believe the facts he tells us because of the amount of nature programs he has presented in the past so we know that what he says is going to be correct.  
Dramatisation is used to show us just how these animals act in these locations, we also get to look at how the locations changed throughout the year (if they do at all) by using close ups and the editing we get to see exactly what the animals are like as they walk around their territory and act with the other animals in their pack or pride.  Adding suspense to the documentary helps with the drama as people want to watch to find out what happens to the animals or how they manage to survive.  
Narrativisation comes into the documentary as all of it is voice over and we don't actually get to see the presenter, it follows the life of biomes and habitats to show us what its really like in places that are difficult to get to and even if we could the animals would be hiding so we wouldn't be able to just stand and watch them, so by having people who go out and film them we get to see what they are really like.  We follow the story of their life and see how they may move around to stay safe and find more food.  All the facts in the documentary will have been carefully researched and thought about otherwise the BBC would be responsible for telling people false information about the things that are spoken about in the documentary.  


The Observational Mode
Observational documentaries are like fly on the wall documentaries we see what happens as it unfolds, the camera man doesn't get involved, they don't ask questions or engage with anyone they just run around getting the footage as it unfolds so we can see what it is really like.  An observational documentary can sometimes have a small story but it is explained well or it can be really descriptive about the story from the beginning.  Having a documentary that shows you what happens as it unfolds give the audience something different to watch, it adds suspense and emotion to the documentary.  

Realism
This documentary shows the story of a photographer trying to get a picture that is suitable to publish.  The footage shows the journey they go on to get a picture and along the way we see terrible things that war can do.  The photographer goes to different countries taking pictures of the sites in these locations.  To make this seem as realistic as possible we see peoples reactions to what is happening around them and we can see how distraught these people are having to face this day after day.   Dramatisation
Dramatisation is shown by the camera angles; because the camera isn't put on a tripod the camera is shaky and unsteady showing you that they don't have time to set up properly as they wouldn't get the same reaction from the audience.  Showing the people who live i these locations adds drama to how this situation is, because of the people in this are just ordinary people we feel very sorry for them and we want to help.   Narrativisation
Narrativisation is shown by the journey the photographer goes on to get a picture that is suitable to publish, we see the story unfold by watching the documentary and seeing the different locations and the after affect of what is happening.  

The Participatory Mode
Participatory documentaries are when the presenter is part of the documentary, they aren't the main person in it but they get involved with what is happening.  The presenter may put themselves in to dangerous situations to show the audience what is happening in these places or to get to know the subject better for the audience entertainment.  

Realism

Realism is shown by Steve backshall on deadl 60 going round finding out about 60 of the most deadliest animals on the planet.  He travels to different countries to show us what animals live in these locations and how they are deadly not just to us but sometimes to other animals aswell.  Steve Backshall has had many different versions of widlife documentaries that normally last 30 minutes and he goes to different locations and tells us about all different types of animals and how they may relate to another animal and he sometimes shows us how dangeorus they are by sometimes putting his life at risk for us.   

Dramatisation

Dramatisations is shown when by Steve Backshall puts his life at risk by showing the audience how these animals would react to people in the real world.  The audience enjoy watching the show because they can see how the animals are around Steve Backshall and how they are when in certain situations.  Steve Backshall risks his life to show us these animals that we may not get the chance to see and he tells the audience facts about the animals that interest us and how they hint other animals or their food to survive.  Narrativisation

Narrativisation is shown by the journey Steve Backshall goes on to track down 60 of the worlds most dangerous animals for out entertainment and to help us learn more about them.  The show sometimes tells us how the animals live throughout their lies and how the changing climet is affecting them. 

The Reflexive Mode

Reflexive in documentaries is when the presenter is telling you how the documentary or film was made, they talk about the idea behind it, the editing, the sound etc.  Filmmakers will make a documentary about it to show the audience how such a well known film was made.  The presenter will talk about the process they went through to make the film and why they think it is successful.  

Realism

Realism is shown by the journey the cast and crew go on to produce as well known show.  Behind the scenes of merlin show the audience how everything is achieved to get it completed to produce the show, we see the cast go through make up and prostetics so if they have a different role they can look different and suit what they are doing, we are also shown how they practise the stunts or fight scense to make it look as real as possible so they dont always have to use a stunt double. 
Dramatisation

Dramatisation is shown when we see the cast practising for thier stunts, the show puts this on so we can see how much hard work goes into this to make it look as real as possible.  The editing also makes this look really dramatic because when we see the finished product we are amazed that they have taken ordinary things and turnd it inot something amazing with special affects. 

Narrativisaion

Narrativisation is shown by starting from the beginning of the show; we see what happens from the moment the cast walk on set to the moment they go home.  The audience are interested in seeing this as they want to know how the show is made and edited to make it look as realistic as possible. 

The Performative Mode

Performative in a documentary is when the presenter shows the audience their experience from a certain situation, this forms the narrative of the documentary.  The presenter makes it clear that the documentary is not necessarily factually accurate but it is their experience with the situation.  

Realism is shown by how clueless Karl Pilkington is about the places he goes to, everything he does makes this program seem real.  Karl Pilkington has been put into a situation he has no control over, he has no idea what is going to happen and we see him react to it which as an audience find funny and enjoy watching.  In each episode he goes to a different country or location and looks round where the locals live and shop etc. he then explores all the places tourists would go and you get to see his reaction to it all and its funny watching because his reaction is so different to most peoples, you can tell he doesn't want to be there most of the time. 

Dramatisation is shown in the music and close ups, using the close ups they do makes the audience feel sorry for him but also find it funny.  Having close ups and music makes it dramatic because you see just how lost he really is, he is in a country where no one or hardly any one speaks English which means he cant communicate with anyone.  Adding drama to this program adds to its likableness and humour, the audience watch it to see what happens to him next and how he copes with it.  

Narrativisation is shown by his journey, he starts in England and is doing what he would normally when he is told he is going to be going to a country and then he gets there and has to find where he is staying so by the end of it you see what he has done in the country and what the locals would do.  People enjoy watching shows with narrative as they can understand clearly what is happening. Having a story line that people can follow easily makes the audience want to watch it, the story line is really basic yet really effective.