Task 2.1 - Documentaries: different types of Documentaries By Lukas Szalbot

The opening needs to capture the audience's attention as quickly as possible. - The central question of the documentary has to be posed at the beginning in order to communicate to the audience what the program is about. 

The codes and conventions of documentaries 
Incidental music A relevant soundtrack/song should usually accompany the opening sequence during some visual montage. The music must not however override the voice over, balance the sound appropriately. 

Titles are important to show what is the title of the show and the person who is being shown at the time.

Actuality - Grabbing the moment as it happens (archive footage).

Fly on the wall - When you film real people as they do real things focusing on their lives. They know that the camera is there.

Voice over - narration  of what the program is about to deliver information.

Graphics - use graphics with written text, Maps, drawings, still photographs can be incorporated through different things.

Interviews - An expert view with someone who has some knowledge of your of your topic.

Vox pops - This is more of a random interview with ordinary people on the street with a hand held camera.

Talking head - When there is a presenter, directly to the camera. They present the facts.

Music - It is critical for the opening sequence but the sound of the song or music should not dominate the voice over. Balance sound appropriately.