This is my research for my documentary project.
A documentary is a non-fictional genre that aims to document reality for various purposes, such as education, entertainment and or information dissemination. It uses various techniques, such as interviews, archival footage, voiceovers, and observational footage, to construct a representation of reality. Moreover, it often features real people, events, and issues and is then presented in a narrative or expository format. My research will be more concentrated towards crime documentaries as this project emphasizes this particular sub-genre.
Conventions of crime documentaries :
1. Opening Hook
Often starts with a mysterious or dramatic scenes to capture audiences' attention. It is usually a brief overview of the crime.
2. Interviews
Interviews usually provides audiences with first-hand accounts, insights, and personal perspectives. Usually, interviews are conducted in a neutral / non-distracting environments relevant to the story. To create a serious tone, the lighting is kept low and the background may be slightly out of focus to keep attention on the interviewee. Eye level angles are most commonly used to create a sense of direct engagement with the interviewee. Interviewees could be :
- Victims / Survivors : If the victims survived, they usually share their experiences and recounting the events that happened, describing the emotional and physical impacts on their lives.
- Family Members / Close Associates : Immediate family members often share their grief and the impact of the loss. They might also share memories of the victim. Close associates usually provides additional context and perspectives on victim's life.
- Witnesses : They may provide firsthand accounts of what they saw and heard.
- Experts and Specialists : Psychologists, criminologists and forensic experts are often interviewed to explain psychological motivations, criminal behaviours and technical details of the event that occurred.
- Law Enforcement Officials : Detectives, investigators and police officers usually provides explanations of the process of investigation and how the crime was solve.
- Legal Professionals : Defense attorneys and prosecutors offer insights into the legal aspects of the case, including trials and sentencing.
3. Archival Footage
News clips, CCTVs, photos / videos, police footage, and other archival materials are often used to offer visual evidence of the crime. It also helps to provide authenticity and context of the documentary.
4. Re-enactments
At times, if the archival footages aren't available, re-enactments are used to give audiences a visual sense of what happened.
5. Voiceover Narrations
It provides audiences with an explanation and additional context by guiding them through the story, allowing directors to forge a more personal connection with the viewers.
6. Conclusion
A summary of the current status the case, usually at the end of the documentary. The structure of the conclusion can vary into :
- Traditional conclusion : Often ends by summarizing the key points, the outcome of the case, and ongoing developments. It might also offer reflections such as its impact on the community, changes in laws, and societal issues it highlights.
- Open-ended conclusion : Ongoing investigations and unsolved crimes often conclude this way, leaving the audience with unanswered questions and emphasizing what remains unknown or the efforts required to solve the crime. Typically, these documentaries end with a call to action, encouraging viewers to share information, support related causes, and get involved.
7. Camera Movement
Shaky, handheld camera movements are often used in crime documentaries to add a sense of realism, urgency and panic, making audiences feel as if they're witnessing the event firsthand. This camera angle is mostly used during scenes that are depicting intense emotions or chaotic situations or re-enactments.
8. Mise-en-Scene
It can vary depending on the event, interviewees, and subjects being reviewed. However, realistic settings are often used to enhance the documentary's authenticity, making the narrative more believable and relatable. This approach helps audiences connect with the reality of the crime and the investigation.
9. Sound
- Diegetic : Background sounds such as footsteps, rustling leaves, distant sirens or street sounds are often used to create a sense of place and realism which helps the audience immerse in the documentary's setting.
- Non Diegetic : Suspenseful music is often used to build tension and evoke feelings of anxiety, fear, and anticipation, keeping the audience on edge. Eerie ambient tones are frequently employed to create a sense of mystery and unease, helping to maintain a consistently unsettling atmosphere throughout the scenes.
10. Editing
- Montage Editing : To condense time and and quickly present the sequence of events, timelines and investigation progress which helps to convey large amounts of information in a visually efficient way.
- Cross Cutting / Parallel : To build suspense by showing multiple perspective simultaneously. This adds tension by showing different storylines or events that occurs at the same time.
- Cutaways : To intercut between interviews and visual evidence which helps to make the story more immersive and easier to follow.
- Flashback Editing : To revisit key moments of the crime or investigation, provide background information and reveal new details. It helps to deepen the narrative by explaining past events and building a more comprehensive picture of the case.
Here are some links to the sources where I found information on the documentary's conventions.
- Twinkl
ANALYSIS OF 6 CRIME DOCUMENTARY INTRODUCTIONS
The Final : Attack on Wembley (2024)
A documentary about the chaos that erupted during the UEFA Euro 2020 final between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium, exploring how a historic football match quickly devolved into anarchy due to unruly behavior by thousands of ticketless fans.
1. What is the sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as ?
- Sports
- True Crime
- Investigative Journalism
2. Who is the target audience ?
- Sports fans
- British and Italian people
- True crime enthusiasts
- People interested in the societal and cultural impacts of significant events.
3. What typical documentary conventions were used ?
- First hand testimonies (adds an personal and or emotional perspective to the narrative)
- Surveillance cameras (helps to provide an unbiased and continuous record of the event)
- People involved being interviewed (provides personal perspective)
- Archival footage / photographs (provides and accurate and comprehensive portrayal of the event)
- Dramatic structure (begins with optimism and national pride then shifts to chaos overtime)
- Voiceover narrations. (provides explanations and insights that are not immediately apparent from the footage)
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre ?
It does conform to the convention because the introduction uses suspenseful elements such as dramatic camera angles and editing. It also centers on the victims, attackers, and the events leading up to the attack which focuses on the crime itself. Furthermore, it includes detailed investigation by using archival footage and interviews while aiming to uncover and present the facts surrounding the attack.
5. How does it create suspense using the following :
Camera :
- Wide shot (to show the chaos that the crowd made in the stadium)
- High and low angles (to emphasize the power dynamics and the tension)
- Handheld (conveying a sense of instability and urgency)
- Dolly shot (helps to build anticipation by gradually the important and crucial details of the story)
Sound :
- Eerie and suspenseful music played over interview to create tension and anticipation which contributes to the hermeneutic code by withholding key information and building suspense.
- Diegetic sounds such as shouts, panic voices, and smashed / broken metal gates played over the archival footage / re-enactments to create verisimilitude (how true-to-life the media feels) and foregrounding conflict and danger.
Mise-en-Scene :
- A densely populated environment > connotes chaos while also enhancing realism.
- Weapons > to emphasize on the attackers' threat.
- Red accents colours > accentuate the urgency of the situation since red is often associated with danger, warnings and emergency.
- Office (to interview those who aren't involved) > connotes that they are being professional.
- Fast food place / stadium (to interview the attackers) > connotes chaos, shows that they are the ones causing the event.
- Costumes and props (fan attire, stadium props, banners and flags) > connotes unity and identity (symbolic codes), as well as showing that they're building their social relationships.
Edit :
- Quick cuts (heighten the sense of urgency and chaos that reflects the fast moving nature of the attack)
- Montage (scenes from the attack and crowds reaction to create a sense of disorientation)
- Cross-cutting (helps to build tension by showing the increasing stakes and progression of the event)
- Cross-cutting (helps to build tension by showing the increasing stakes and progression of the event)
- Jump cuts (keeping viewers unsettled by reflecting the chaotic nature of the attack)
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring ?
I find the dramatic camera angles and movements inspiring since it can help to create tension and intensify viewer's reactions which may make them feel more connected to their experience. It can also help to guide viewer's focus to ensure that the main information is noticed and understood.
Worst Roommate Ever (2022)
A documentary featuring stories about roommates with malevolent and violent intentions, turning the lives of their innocent victims into real-life nightmares.
1. What is the sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as ?
- Murder
- Mystery
- True Crime
- Investigative
2. Who is the target audience ?
- True crime enthusiast
- Young adults and college students (they might find this documentary engaging and informative since they can relate to the subject of shared living spaces and the potential dangers involved).
- People interested in human psychology
3. What typical documentary conventions were used ?
- The use of dramatic music and sound to create an unsettling and suspenseful atmosphere.
- Mugshots and other crime images / evidence used as a visual evidence.
- Interviews with the survivors
- Archival footage from the newspapers, highlighting the key words.
- Narrative voiceover to provide background information and commentary, guiding viewers to unfold the story.
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre ?
It conforms and subverts the conventions at the same time. It conforms to multiple conventions as it includes the all of the elements that I've mentioned above. However, it also subverts by using jump cuts and rapid pacing transitions. It also emphasizes more on personal trauma while true crime documentary usually focuses on the perpetrators, the crime itself and the investigation.
5. How does it create suspense using the following :
Camera :
- Medium shot (during the interview)
- Close up shot (people's face expressions, highlighting the key words of the crime committed)
- Extreme close up (to highlight important or disturbing details)
- Static shot (creating stillness when showing crime scene photos / evidence)
Mise-en-Scene :
- Shadowy lighting > connotes mystery and tension.
- Props (mug shots of the perpetrators, evidence and crime scene photos) > connotes guilt and criminality using symbolic codes.
- Muted and dark colour palette > reinforce a serious mood.
- Minimalistic set design > helps viewers to focus towards the crime without any distractions.
Sound :
- Haunting and suspenseful music plays over phone calls to enhance the tension and heightening emotional intensity.
- Intense pulsing beats plays over interview, archival footage, and re-enactments to create a sense of urgency as it is pushing the audience to to feel the intensity of the situation.
- Low, foreboding tones during voiceover narrations to establish a menacing atmosphere and enhancing the seriousness of the narration.
Edit :
- Jump cuts > creating fast-paced, unsettling effects.
- Slow motion > to heighten the emotional impact of the scene and build suspense.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring ?
I find the phone call at the start of the opening inspiring because it helps to build up an immediate sense of tension and suspense, which immediately creates an unsettling atmosphere for the viewers. Furthermore, it enhances the documentary's realism as it's using a real life element, making the audience feels more connected to the events being portrayed.
The Program : Cons, Cults and Kidnapping (2024)
A documentary series that examines notorious cases involving deception, cults, and abductions. It follows Kubler and her former classmates from a behavior modification facility, which was marketed as a boarding school, as they reflect on the allegedly abusive conditions they endured and the trauma it left behind.
1. What is the sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as ?
- True Crime
- Investigative
- Social Issue
2. Who is the target audience ?
- True crime enthusiasts (people interested in real-life criminal activities)
- People interested in the psychological and social aspects of criminal behavior and cult dynamics.
- People who enjoys in-depth investigations about criminal cases.
3. What typical documentary conventions were used ?
- Interviews with survivors
- Voiceover narration to provide context and explain intricate details to the viewers.
- CCTV footage that serves as a crucial evidence on the events that happened.
- Using tense and eerie music to build up suspense
- Thematic framing by framing the documentary's theme and shaping how audience interpret and respond to the documentary.
- Reenactments (to represent events that happened)
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre ?
- It largely conforms with the conventions because it uses elements such as interviews, voiceover narrations, CCTV / archival footage and narrative which helps to set the context, provide evidence, and create a compelling emotional narrative.
5. How does it create suspense using the following :
Camera :
- Close up shot (the writings on the wall and the students' face, to highlight the contrast between the students' innocence and the harsh reality the might face)
- Zoom in (to focus on students' faces and some part of the boarding school to emphasize that they're learning in a prison-like environment)
- Handheld (to convey a raw and unpolished feel since the documentary is based on real life events)
- Static (to emphasize on the isolation and how the boarding school's environment is like)
Mise-en-Scene :
- Students in uniform > connotes innocence and purity.
- Vandalisms on the wall and wood > connotes chaos and reinforcing themes of rebellion.
- Empty boarding school > connotes a sense of abandonment and unease, establishing a foreboding atmosphere.
- Paint peeling off the wall > showing that the boarding school isn't really taken care of.
- String map > visually represents the connections between the students and the events that happened.
- Dim and gloomy lighting > creating a mood that reflects their traumatic experience.
- Tons of papers and documents scattered all around the place (+ they added a close up shot of one of the papers that says 'search team information sheet' on the top of the paper, which conveys that majority, or all of the papers are about missing students)
Sound :
- Acousmatic sounds like whispers and distant voices plays over the scene when they're showing the vandalized environment to create an unsettling atmosphere and emphasize the disruption and chaos.
- Diegetic sounds clock ticking, creaking doors and footsteps > heightening tension.
Edit :
- Fade in and out > to create a reflective mood.
- Cross cutting > to build suspense.
- Jump cuts > to highlight key points.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring ?
I find the handheld camera movement inspiring because it helps to create a sense of realism and immediacy which reflects the unpredictable and unsettling nature of the documented experiences. Furthermore, the unsteady footage might represent the emotions felt by the survivors during their traumatic time at the boarding school which allows viewers to connect more deeply with the raw emotions being portrayed.
The Pharmacist (2020)
A documentary follows a pharmacist's quest, in Poydras, Louisiana, for justice after his son's murder, leading him to uncover a connection to the opioid crisis.
1. What is the sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as ?
- Social Commentary
- True Crime
- Investigative Journalism
2. Who is the target audience ?
- Health and medical professionals (people concerned with the impact of prescription drug abuse)
- People interested in compelling personal stories and social justice issues.
- True crime enthusiasts
3. What typical documentary conventions were used ?
- Interviews to present personal perspective and driving the narrative forward.
- Archival footage (news clips) to provide background context and making the scene feels relatable.
- Voiceover narration to guide viewers to the story and elaborate on key points.
- Photographs and documents serves as evidence of the events being discussed and to help personalize the narrative.
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre ?
It conforms to the conventions for the genre by using direct address such as interviews and voiceover where subjects were speaking directly to the camera establish a personal connection with the viewers. The introduction also showing pictures of the victim which usually appears in majority of the true crime genre. Furthermore, it uses some chaotic visuals that are common in these types of documentary. However, it also subverts due to the use of slow-motion and detailed personalized reflections which diverge from the more straightforward narratives that is usually found in crime documentaries.
5. How does it create suspense using the following :
Camera :
- Medium shot (during the interview)
- Close up shot (scattered papers and boxes, heightening the emotional impact by making the audience focus on the chaos)
- Wide shot (showing the aftermath of the event and set the tone for the seriousness of the situation)
- Handheld (helps to create a sense of immediacy and instability)
- Slow pan and tilt (slowly leaving details of the crime scene and environment which builds up tension and adds a sense of curiosity while feeling uneasy at the same time)
Mise-en-Scene :
- Natural and practical lighting > to enhance the realism of the setting.
- Boxes and papers scattered around > connotes the distress aftermath of the murder.
- Blue and red light from the police vehicle > connotes that something dangerous is happening.
- Pictures of the victim > evoke sympathy and emotional response from the audience.
- Police / caution tape > to mark off the area as off limits, showing the aftermath of a tragic event.
- Clothing > reflects the clothing choices of people in the everyday life, emphasizing the relatability of the characters.
Sound :
- Angry / stern voice tone of the victim's father is played during the voiceover to convey emotional intensity, describing his grief.
- Diegetic sounds (creaking doors, footsteps and rustling papers) > to add realism to the scene.
- Minimal sound / silence played over the aftermath of the victim's death to create contrast with chaotic moments and emphasizes the emotional weight.
Edit :
- Quick cuts > to create a sense of urgency and heighten the tension.
- Slow-motion > emphasizes the key moments and details.
- Fade out > creates disorienting effects, adding an uneasy feeling.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring ?
The parts of the opening that I find inspiring in this documentary opening is when they include pictures of the victim as Schneider provides voiceover narration since it helps to contextualize the event that happened and enrich viewer's understanding.
Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult (2024)
A documentary about cult allegations and both abusive behaviour and financial exploitation against the talent management company 7M Films, uncovering disturbing truths about their operations.
1. What is the sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as ?
- Social Media and Digital Culture
- True Crime
- Investigative Journalism
- Social Issues
2. Who is the target audience ?
- Young adults and teenagers (younger audience tend to be more familiar with the platform's culture and influence, therefore they might find it appealing)
- Social media enthusiasts / users
- True crime enthusiasts
- People concerned about the influence of social media on youth.
3. What typical documentary conventions were used ?
- Interviews with the people involved
- Voiceover narrations to guide the viewers through the story.
- Archival footage
- Reenactments to convey the emotional and psychological impact.
- Personal photographs and documents to personalize the story in order to add authenticity.
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre ?
The opening conforms to the genre as it focuses on the digital platforms and also incorporating clips and screenshots that helps to illustrate the cult's influence. Furthermore, it also uses archival footage and personal stories to build a suspenseful narrative. However, it also subverts because rather than focusing only on the crime itself, the documentary also explores more about the cult's operation and influence. Moreover, the documentary uses complex narrative that combines personal stories, investigations and digital culture rather than presenting a straightforward narrative.
5. How does it create suspense using the following :
Camera :
- Close up shot > showing individuals that are involved or being effected to convey fear and anxiety.
- Extreme close up > on details such as facial expressions or objects associated to focus the viewer's attention on a specific part and creating a sense of unease.
- Wide shots > shows the environment and cult gatherings which helps to convey a sense of isolation.
- Handheld > making the viewers feel as if they're experiencing the unsettling situations.
- Zoom in > emphasizing the crucial elements which builds up anticipation by directing viewer's focus.
Mise-en-Scene :
- Dim lighting > creates deep shadows that evokes a sense of mystery and fear.
- Spotlighting > to draw attention to the main characters or people involved.
- Dark, secluded spaces > connotes secrecy and danger.
- Muted colour palette > evokes feelings of unease and dread.
Sound :
- Tense and dramatic sound effect played during interview scenes to create feelings of unease and tension.
- Minimalistic music played over archival footage are used creates eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
- Diegetic sounds like footsteps and echoes are used to make the setting feel more authentic.
Edit :
- Quick cuts > to create a sense of urgency.
- Jump cuts >to create a sense of anxiety.
- Fade out > create a sense of tension so viewers slowly transition into the unsettling aspect of the event.
- Montage > building a sense of confusion.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring ?
I find the part where they included lots archival footage such as videos and screenshots of the victims' social media platforms inspiring because it can be served as evidence and it will also be easy to recreate in my project.
American Vandal (2017-2018)
A documentary about the aftermath of a costly high school prank that left twenty-seven faculty cars vandalized with phallic images.
1. What is the sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as ?
- Mockumentary
- Teen Drama
- Social Commentary
- Comedy
- Parody
- Mystery
2. Who is the target audience ?
- teens and young adults
- True crime enthusiasts
- Comedy enthusiasts
3. What typical documentary conventions were used ?
- Interview to introduce the perspectives of those involved and affected by the crime
- Reenactments to to help the audience visualize events that were not captured on camera.
- Cliffhanger teaser ensuring audience are intrigued and wants to keep watching
- Voiceover Narrations to set the tone for the documentary
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre ?
The introduction of this documentary both conform and subverts to the conventions. It conforms by establishing the setting within a typical school environment, which creates a sense of realism and relatability for the audience. Standard conventions such as voiceovers and interviews are also used to frame the narrative and provide essential background information, aligning with Barthes' Hermeneutic Code to build suspense and engage audiences. However, it also subverts traditional conventions by presenting a humorous take on investigative journalism, which contrasts with the genre's usual focus on serious or violent crimes. The documentary’s use of humor and exaggerated elements deviates from the serious tone typical of true crime documentaries, offering a satirical perspective that plays against established genre norms.
5. How does it create suspense using the following :
Camera :
- Establishing shot > the high school campus, to show where the crime took place.
- Medium shot > to focus attention on the interviewee’s facial expressions and words.
- Handheld > adds a sense of realism, making the events feel more dynamic and unscripted.
- Zoom > highlighting important details and adds dramatic weight to the narrative.
- Tracking shot > to give a sense of movement and progress in the investigation.
- High / low angle > to emphasize on the power dynamics, subtly influencing how audience view them.
Mise-en-Scene :
- Vandalized faculty cars > to establish the context of the crime and provide visual evidence.
- Personal belonging, lockers, posters, and yearbooks (school related items) > emphasizing the everyday, relatable setting of a high school.
- Typical high school uniforms > to add authenticity by reflecting the real-life appearance of high school students, evoking nostalgia and personas of students, which contrasts with the darker truths that are central to the investigation.
- Natural lighting > to enhance realism that emphasizes spontaneity and unpredictability.
Sound :
- Distant echoes, footsteps, and creaking doors > heighten tension by suggesting something ominous.
- Fast paced sound effect > create a sense of urgency and build anticipation to reveal a dramatic moment.
- Loud, tension-filled music with driving beat > dramatizes the chaotic scenes, making it appear more stressful than it already is.
Edit :
- Jump cuts > heighten tension by creating a sense of instability or urgency.
- Fade in > setting the tone, allowing suspense to build gradually.
- Cross-cutting > heightens suspense by mixing different perspectives and increase dramatic tension.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring ?
I find the use of sound effects in this documentary inspiring. Although many crime documentaries employ similar sound effects, the documentary's use of dramatic stingers and intense, fast-paced music effectively builds suspense and heighten the emotional impact of its scenes. The integration of ambient sounds, such as background noise from the school, subtle echoes, and low-frequency hums, combined with dramatic scores, creates an eerie backdrop that enhances the satirical take on the serious crime genre. This approach aligns with Tom Gunning’s Theory of the Cinema of Attractions, which emphasizes engaging the audience through sensory stimulation. I am planning to incorporate similar sound techniques into our documentary to achieve a comparable effect.
Reflection : As I had not previously engaged with documentaries, I was unfamiliar with their conventions, which made it challenging to analyze them effectively. This lack of prior knowledge left me feeling overwhelmed when attempting to conduct an analysis. To address this, I decided to research the conventions of documentaries, focusing particularly on the crime documentary genre. I initially enjoyed exploring the introductions during my research. However, I eventually found that most adhered too closely to genre conventions after watching a few of them, making them blend into one another without standing out. Despite this, I believe the research was incredibly valuable, as it provided me with a clearer understanding of what crime documentary openings typically involve and enhance the quality of my analysis. It helped set expectations for our own documentary and allowed me to identify techniques commonly used in similar genres. I hope we can integrate these elements effectively into our final product.
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