Post Title - Narrative Structure

Supporting and Structuring a DocumentaryNarrative Conventions: Documentaries rely heavily on traditional conventions of a narrative. There is normally a structure accompanied with a range of other conventions.

The Beginning:Needs to capture the audiences attention and draw them in. Central/main question of the documentary can be posed at the beginning in an intriguing way. Quick interviews capturing conflict with different people is an example.

The Middle: Also known as the complication stage and needs to be the most compelling and often examines the issue in human terms i.e. the focus on people and their opinions. Conflict is strengthened to provide blockages for the fulfillment of the exposition.

The End:Makes the exposition fully apparent and clear by the resolution stage. The audience by this time has no doubt/questions what the argument is saying.

Conflict:Can be between people with different beliefs, ambitions, circumstances or goals. It can be individual or a variety of others. This shown developing through different stages which allows the documentary to use narrative technique.

Sense of Movement:This stage can add strength to the narrative elements. The 3 forms are physical movement, movement in time or psychological change.

Music and SFX:Effective sound in producing an emotional response in the audience.

Lighting:Used if you are trying realism or authenticity poor lighting is one of the first things to give the game away

Construction of Reality:When watching a documentary you should always ask yourself what the documentary is about and what the message they are trying to tell you is not just what they are showing but also question what they are not showing. This could be due to bias or preference combined with the selection and rejection of information.

Visuals: What we see in the screen along with Archive footage. Stock materials are also used to support the intended meaning.

• Narrative Structure

Open: The audiences is left to make their own conclusions at the end

Closed: There is a definite ending and outcome

Single Strand: There is only one main plot throughout

Multistrand: There are many subplots which interweave

Linear: It is in chronological order, time is disrupted in the same way e.g. via flashbacks

Circular: There is a question at the start which is revisited at the end. Circular narratives can tie in with open narratives

Construction of Reality: the documentary is edited for the audience but still looks real.

Gatekeeping: the selection and rejection of information by editors or producers.

Voxpops: Vox pop is short for vox populi or voice of the people.