Genre analysis

Lifestyle


Genre is the term used to categorize different media texts. My documentary will be predominantly lifestyle, in that it will follow the lives of two show pony producers. There are several generic conventions that are featured within lifestyle documentaries. There include location shots, background music and shots of props to establish the mise-en-scene, interview, as well as a voice over at certain points to further the audiences understanding of what it is that they are observing.

e.g. Channel4 Living with the Amish

Nature

My documentary will also come under the bracket of a nature documentary, in that the majority of my filming will be completed outdoors in very natural locations, as well as the horses playing a key role. Therefore I will also need to be aware of the common conventions of this genre as well, however only some of these will be included as a nature documentary takes a far more observational approach to the filming of landscapes and animals than I will be creating. The conventions of a typical nature documentary include; shots of animals, greenery, nature, mostly 'fly on the wall' shots and also a voice over that is usually prominent throughout offering information as to what the viewer is observing.

e.g. Channel4 Inside Nature's Giants

Investigative

An investigative documentary usually tackles a particular notion or issue and aims to investigate as much as it can about it, usually making a quite controversial production. There are different conventions associated with this genre of documentary including; hidden camera shots, voice overs, interviews, ect.

e.g. Channel4 Dispatches