Observational Documentary
This type of documentary requires the cameraman to follow the subject of the documentary around to observe their behaviour and the events of their life. The equipment used can be informal, such as a hand-held camera, because it makes it easier for the cameraman to follow the subject around. In these types of documentary's there are usually no interviews or voice overs and they use long takes. Synchronous sound is incorporated. An example of an observational documentary is MTV's 'Teen Cribs'. It's fairly self explanatory; the documentary consists of teenagers from wealthy families taking the audience for a tour around their "crib". This is classed as an observational documentary, because it follows the teenager around their house as they talk about it. Because they talk whilst they tour there is no need for interviews or narrations.
Docusoap
A docusoap is a genre of reality television in the style of a documentary in which an "apparent plot is constructed by intention or editing in order to make programmes in this genre resemble soap operas". An example of a docusoap is MTV's 'Laguna Beach', which focuses on the lives of several students who attend Laguna Beach High School. Certain events in the docusoap are dramatised for the entertainment of the audience (usually in post production), which is why 'Laguna Beach' comes under the docusoap genre.
News (broadcast/documentary)
The news is responsible for relaying information about current events to a large amount of people. This type of production often takes place in a studio, with large, sturdy equipment and cameras (appropriate for the environment, because you won't be moving around). A teleprompter is also often used for the benefit of the anchormen and women, as well as other members of the broadcast. BBC news airs in the morning when people get up for work/ school and in the evening when families will be eating tea. It informs people of worldwide events that involve the UK (e.g. If a country suffers from a natural disaster and needs funds/ aid). However, there are also news documentaries, which refer to documentaries about specific current events. For example, when Margaret Thatcher died a lot of documentaries were released about her life and time as prime minister etc.
Reality TV
Reality television consists of unscripted situations and actual occurrences, usually with a previously unknown cast. It tends to highlight drama and conflict to a much greater extent than other unscripted television such as a news documentary. 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' is a notable example of reality television, as cameras are set up around a camp which contains various celebrities that are often unknown to the demographic who watch the show (teenagers). The conditions of the camp and the trials often create drama and conflict amongst the celebrities, which is what ultimately makes people tune in.
Docudrama
In contrast to a docusoap, a docudrama focuses on dramatised re-enactments of actual events. The audience are aware that the programme is a re-enactment (in most cases), but they still enjoy watching the events unfold. The script of a docudrama may contain quotes from real-life persons. An example of this is '12 Years a Slave' which attempts to capture a series of events that actually happened in a way that would be appealing to a modern audience. This, as well as many other docudramas, tries to highlight the horrors of someone's life due to racism etc. It focuses on emotional situations.
Wildlife Documentary
A wildlife documentary consists of information about animals, plants or other non-human living creatures, usually taking place in a specific species' natural habitat. David Attenborough is famous for presenting such documentaries - for example 'Rise of the Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates'. This focuses on "one of the greatest stories in natural history": the evolution of animals with backbones. These types of documentaries stereotypically appeal to an older audience. Younger people associate learning with boredom. In addition, the fact that an older man is presenting makes the documentary more appealing to people of a similar age, because they can relate to him.
Fixed Rig Documentary
This type of documentary means that various cameras are set up in the location of choice to capture the actions of a lot of people. For example, 'Educating Yorkshire' requires multiple students and classes to be filmed at the same time and so, for practicality, cameras are placed on the walls of the classrooms so that if something particularly interesting happens it is captured. It also means that the students and teachers in the school act more genuinely, because there isn't a cameraman pointing the camera in their faces.
Single Camera
A single camera documentary literally means that it is only ever shot with one camera. This is often used in crime shows in which a single cameraman will follow a police officer (often interrogating a suspect at their house). 'Traffic Cops' - a BBC One show - uses the single camera technique, as this is far more practical than having several cameramen all trying to get a good view of what's happening. Using one camera also means that you're not being a burden to the police that you're filming with, because the last thing you want to do is disrupt their work.
Interactive
An interactive production requires the audience to be involved in each episode of the programme. Many talent shows, like 'The X Factor', require the audience to vote off who they think doesn't have the ability to be a recording artist. However, 'Seven Days' - a reality TV show/ old fashioned docusoap - allows viewers to decide what the participants do next: "whether to date a potential boyfriend or break it to your son that it was time for him to move out". An interactive show like this is a risk, because it relies on having willing participants, as well as a sizeable audience who would involve themselves.
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