Nichols modes documentary

                 Documentary codes and conventions

Realism

Realism in documentaries is simply using real life footage, this could either be someone who is present during the event, or the filmmaker present during the event either way realism is filmed using an handheld camera which makes it 'realistic' differentiating from those that re-enact scenes/footages. Realism can be done through an interview for example someone who witnessed a shooting and talking about it on the scene, or a person filming the shooting which is actual footage. Realism instinctively assures the audience with the trustworthiness of the source, this can be due to the nature of which realism documentaries are used for.

Dramatisation

Dramatisation is the use of re-enactments alongside interviews. Events that has happened are redone to give the audience a general idea of the events that took place during that moment in time, usually dramatisation is presented with a person being interviewed talking about their story and scenes of the event but re-enacted. Music and sound effects are usually implemented with this to give the audience an feel for the event or to create an specific atmosphere. Dramatisation are common in programs such as watchdogs which with the audience an visual image of a scene that has happened, this is effective in ways of helping the audience understand the situation better.

Narrativisation 

Narrativisation is creating an story arc allows the story to run from point A to point B within narrative structure. This is usually based on facts and usually the most popular form of documentary.

Narrativisation is an effect way of addressing to the audience but it can be seen as a bit prolonged. An example of this text is The only way is Essex, an ideal scenario would be both group of boys and girls meet up in a party and along the way they start to get to know one another and party together and in the end one fancies the other etc. 

Exposotiory

Expository is an form of text that uses narration and is also known as 'The voice of God', an example text is National GEO which provides wildlife documentaries, the commentary is usually someone with an origin of a high authoritative voice which both engages and persuades the audience. A example person is David Attenborough, in his field of expertise a documentary would condemn to be more reliable and truth worthy if someone like him was to narrate over a topic like climate change. In the documentary i linked shows expository in action, the narrator speaks in a slow pace and only speaks when necessary to inform to the audience what is happening, mostly the narrative speaks in short sentences as seen in the first 5 minutes when the battle between the lions is taking place, this allows people of all ages to understand what is happening in contrast to the visual and after each sentence there is an urge to know what is going to happen next which makes the form of text very engaging.

Observational

An observational text conveys the idea of a fly on the wall and is objective in its judgement. This allows the audience to see each character in their natural states, the reality show Keeping up with the Kardashians is an example text, the cameraman usually using an handheld camera follows around each character during anytime of the day and does nothing more, during family arguments the cameraman simply is a spectator and holds no judgement, an observational form of documentary is usually to gain insight on a particular persons lifestyle/personality aside from the limelight/media.

Interactive

An interactive form of documentary usually falls under being reliable. The documentary interviews people on the scene and includes real time footages, an example text is Point and Shoot where we get a backstory of the person who is involved and we follow him on a journey where he completely changes into a different person. The provides the audience with an insight on a particular persons lifestyle or activity, this can be engaging in ways such as the serve brutality and truth of the documentary which is not scene in day to day life.

Reflective

A reflective form of documentary is usually the presenter in front of the camera dealing with real life issues, the presenter joining in or being at the scene. Usually reflective documentary follows a narrative arc and it follows the story of a particular person. An example text is Louis Theroux Crystal Meth, the presenter interviews the drug addicts and asks them what it is like to be under the influence of drugs and in the end of the documentary it usually shows us what happened to each character for example if he quit drugs or he is stilled addicted. 

Performance   

Presenter leads the story becomes the story. Example is the film catfish at first the guy is leading the story of meeting this girl online but after he gets kidnapped and it tells his story. Usually the first part is filmed usually handheld cameras following the character. Performance documentaries are usually very personal, the whole concept behind it is to try to put us in the shoes of the character, put us into a specific perspective or be there ourselves. The common genre revolves around things that are less likely spoke about in person and applying directing to certain groups such as ethnic minorities, the LGBT communities or people with extreme views.