Understanding the codes and conventions of factual programming News and Documentary Formats

The connection between Studio news readers and field reporters Every news station has a studio. From here, the breaking news, general news, sports and entertainment are read live to audiences. However, every news station will also have field reporters who are people working for the news that are sent to locations all over the world where newsworthy events have taken place. They report what is happening through a studio link. Studio news readers will usually establish what has occurred, whether it is a political event, a terrorist attack, a natural disaster or an important celebration. They will then make a link to the field reporter who will give an observational and slightly subjective look at what is taking place. The studio news reader will cue the field reporter with questions so as to cover what the audiences need to know. There are some distinct differences in their roles…

The difference between Studio news readers and field reporters Studio news readers read from an autocue whereas field reporters must prepare what they will say from what they can see. Field reporters will also have occasional witnesses that they interview to provide more information about the incident. Whereas, studio news readers may interview professionals or experts. Studio news readers must dress formally and field reporters must dress to suit the weather as they are usually being filmed at an outside location. Studio news readers must remain objective and monotone, however you’ll notice in field reporters that they are more subjective and their tone is animated to give you a better sense of the live situation.

Links to studio Aside from field reporters being linked to the studio, the news station may also bring in a third party to give a different perspective and incite interest in the issue. For example, if there was a flu epidemic, the news station may bring in a medical expert to give their take and advice on it to audiences. This tactic encourages audience participation. It boosts viewer ratings if people talk about the news channel and the interesting link they’ve had on the show recently.

Mode of address to viewers Studio News Readers tend to be objective and monotone. They don’t give opinion or address the audience directly. It remains very factual. Field reporters are slightly more subjective and animated. They bring a sense of life to the news story with fresh and relevant information about how the event or incident is affecting the people in the area. They don’t speak to the audience but more so in response to the studio news readers.

The five types of documentary Observational Expository Performative Reflexive Interactive Observational documentaries also referred to as ‘fly on the wall’ documentaries, mean that the camera crew and film maker purely record what there is to be seen about how animals or people live or act in situations It is not invasive at all. The only interaction between the crew and the subject may be an off-camera voice. An example would be ‘Living with the Amish’ by Channel 4. Many observational documentaries are about nature and animals such as David Attenborough’s ‘Planet Earth’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvWLbK_mNw0

Performative This documentary type involves the director getting involved with the subject they are making into a documentary. They investigate the subject and maintain subjectivity in doing so. It’s a more interesting and controversial form of documentary making. Louis Theroux is a renowned performative documentary maker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZBe4avxmYg&feature=share

Expository Similar to observational documentary, expository has the added element of an authoritative narration which appeals to viewers’ reason. The voice is the key element of the expository documentary as it has an omniscient presence over the footage and images we are presented. An example would be ‘March of the Penguins’ narrated by Morgan Freeman. https://youtu.be/Gw-06_iwCpE

Reflexive These types of documentary differ vastly from the rest. In reflexive documentaries, the filmmaker’s focus is to show you exactly how they made it. More casual way of making documentaries and less restrictive in editing. Very insightful to the subject, we see how people naturally respond to being interviewed. A famous example of a reflexive documentary maker, Nick Broomfield. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvjffMViRzg

Interactive The documentary maker ‘interacts’ with the subject. Similar to performative documentaries, however it is more directed at giving the viewer more information rather than getting a reaction from them. There are formal interviews with the subject and voiceovers which update the audience with progress on finding out about the subject. They will also speak directly to the camera (audience) as if they’re bringing you on a journey. Morgan Spurlock is a famous interactive documentary maker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9__23-zjhM