“Expository documentaries set up a specific point of view or argument about a subject and often feature “voice of God” style voice-over. For expository documentaries, the cinematographer is responsible for collecting footage that supports and strengthens the spoken argument or explanation in the film, including stock footage, archival footage, b-roll, or re-enactments of historical events.” –

Masterclass (2021). Film Documentary Guide: 6 Types of Documentaries. [online] Masterclass. Available at: Film Documentary Guide: 6 Types of Documentaries [Accessed 30 Oct. 2023].

Class Case Study:

How smugglers lure in buyers for illegal routes from Pakistan to Europe – BBC Newsnight.

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). How smugglers lure in buyers for illegal routes from Pakistan to Europe – BBC Newsnight. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_KqKYTsbgc [Accessed 9 Nov. 2023].

• The documentary cuts between an omniscient voice over which adds engages the audience further in the story through the tone and mood and it also reflects on what the audience can see, further explaining and retelling the issues that Saeed faced on his journey.
• There are interviews conducted with Saeed, allowing him to convey his experiences to the audience personally. The interviews also allow for the documentary to gather more in depth information in order to better understand the severity of the situation. The way in which the interview is set up makes it feel more personal.
• Re-enactments are shown when Saeed is discussing how him and others were held hostage by the Libyan mafia. The re-enactments help to bring the scene closer to reality.
• Grainy footage is shown of Saeed and others on the boat. This draws intrigue as the audience can see the conditions of their travel on an overcrowded boat full of people searching for a better life.
• It makes use of aerial shots. This acts as an establishing shot and creates scale.

 

• Conventional features of an Expositionary Documentary
• Voice-over, addresses the audience directly
• The voice-over may either be a ‘voice of God’ commentator (heard but not seen); or ‘voice of authority’ (seen and heard – usually an expert in the relevant field)
• Images are used to illustrate (or sometimes counterpoint) the voice over.
• Editing is used for continuity, to link together images that support the argument put forward in the voice over.
• A variety of footage, interviews, stills, archive material is assembled to support the argument or elucidate the voice over.
• Attempts to persuade the audience of a particular point of view, often by appealing to logic and the idea of a common-sense response

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). BBC 100 women: List of inspiring and influential women revealed – BBC News. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peK_KX5XvHU [Accessed 23 Nov. 2023].

What expositional features does this news report have?

• It uses distant effects by including interviews from various women
• It uses extreme long shots dependent on the shot of the environment
• It includes voice overs
• The camera often zooms out to emphasize the change of environments in the report
• It also includes events in the present therefore making the audience feel as if they are there
• It is dramatic and emphasizes what is going on in society today