Documentary techniques

Based on some additional research I did on the documentary genre, I recorded some typical documentary filming techniques that can be kept in mind during the creation of our production.

Voice-over
Voice-overs in documentaries can include commentary by the filmmaker. This can be 
displayed with additional background footage or added to the soundtrack during the 
production. This offers direct information to the viewers, which can include opinions and 
explanations. Voice-overs typically don't include audio of the words written on the screen, 
but the narration guides what is happening in the production.

Archival footage
This is content that has been archived that is inserted into a documentary to explain the 
background  information or historical element of the content. This footage is engaging and 
can add detail without the need for additional filming. 

Reenactment
This is the scenes of an that has been acted out using the information of the event. These 
scenes typical include information that is factual, and it gives the audience a sense of realism. 
Some filming techniques that show that the content is not real are  blurring, distortion, lighting
effects, changes in camera level, and color enhancement within the footage.

Direct and Indirect Interviews
Interviews allow individuals to  speak directly about events, prompted by the questions asked
by the filmmaker. Interviews on opposite sides of an issue may be shown to give the viewer a better
understanding of the topic. 

Wallpaper Technique
This technique is demonstrated with voice-over narrations and it is done in a more engaging manner.
 The screen cannot be blank, so visuals that connect to the narration are expressed, even if they do not
show exactly what is being said in the voice-over. This type of related visual is called wallpaper.

Actuality
This is the footage of real life events that is unlike scripted stories and artificial sets that 
are used in other fictional productions.  Documentaries are not pure actuality films - rather they 
combine actuality with explanation, commentary, and sometimes dramatization.