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Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Features and Documentaries as a Production Method

 

Q2. Write a detailed note on features and documentaries as a production method.

Course: Broadcast Media in Distance Education

Course code 8621

Level: B.Ed (1.5 Years)


Answer:

 

 

Both topics bring life to non-fictional accounts. Features are a straightforward report on an event, situation, person, or idea such as the life of someone in the community but can be highly artistic–which separates it from a news story. Documentaries provide information and present a Point of View.

 

 A good documentary can have a profound influence on social, political, and economic developments and even on legislation in a city, region, or country. Anything that deals with a nonfiction treatment of a subject in a format that straight news interview or discussion is often called either a feature or documentary. You can expect both topics on television, radio, movie theatres, and the internet.

 

Purpose

 

Both features and documentaries are meant to inform but also have an entertainment aspect. Features are usually under the direction of the news department at a television station but have a more storytelling aspect to them, much different from a straight news story. Features and documentaries are similar in purpose, but features are unbiased forms of media whereas documentaries are usually not. They can be produced by a company, a news station, crowd-funded, or individually.

Content & Style

 

Features are usually not presented in an “inverted pyramid” style, meaning the most important need to be in the lede and are more narrative-like. They include more descriptive vocabulary and are usually oriented toward human interest. Documentaries have a lot more freedom than features. They need a clear stand on a controversy or idea and attempt to evoke change. They usually begin with a hook and include dynamic cutting meaning it is comprised of back-and-forth clips.

 

Emotionally charged viewpoints are usually present. The outlets they are produced on are suitable because both topics are ambiguous enough to fit every outlet.

 

Examples/counterexamples of work in this media genre

 

 

A good feature has smooth camera work and evokes emotion. It is unbiased, has a clear angle, and provides insight into a topic that is newsworthy. A bad feature includes opinions and shaky camera work with an unintelligible narrative.

 

Good Example

Bad Example

A good documentary has a clear point of view and multiple elements of persuasion.

It also sparks controversy and provides counterclaims. The camera work is smooth and the editing is clipped together in a way that complements the story.

Good Example

Bad Example

 

Writing for this media genre

 

Each of these topics requires a significant amount of time spent with the informants and sources. Because both are non-fiction, most of these steps are irrelevant. The steps these topics would take would be interviewing, first drafts, edits, and final. Both genres would entail clear, concise style writing but have room to be creative. For a documentary, the pitch has to be attention-grabbing which could be done with a good hook.


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