Observational Documentaries

1. Observational
Documentaries

2. Definition
•Documentary maker follows the
person around to observe the events
that happen in their life
•Equipment can be informal, such as
the use of hand-held cameras
•Usually no interviews are include
and there is no voice over
•Long takes are used
•Synchronous sound incorporated

3. MTV’s Teen Cribs
•This is a reality TV/documentary
programme originally airing on
MTV. The basis of the show features
tours of houses and mansions of very
wealthy families and teenagers.
•Before it was Teen Cribs it was just
MTV Cribs, which featured the very
big houses of really rich celebrities.

5. •This show classes as a observational
documentary because it follows the
teenagers around as they do a tour of their
house. The camera focuses on all of the
wealthy items and furniture that is inside
the house as well as outside.
•Interviews aren’t included but the
teenagers and parents do talk about the
house whilst they’re doing the tour of the
house.

6. Techniques
•Editing: The speeding up of clips helps to
show the less interesting parts of the
house quickly and emphasises the good
parts of the house when the speed returns
to normal
•Sound: Music makes it more interesting to
watch
•Camera shots: Long takes used to show
everything

7. 16 and Pregnant
This is a reality TV/documentary programme
following the lives of pregnant teenage mums
and how they deal with high school and being
pregnant.
The episode usually begins with the teenage
mum being around 5 months pregnant and
ending with the baby, having been born, about
3 months old.
It is produced in a documentary format with an
animation on notebook paper showing
highlights during each episode.

9. •This show is classed as an observational
documentary because it follows the
pregnant teens around and observes their
every day life and how they deal with it.
•They’re aren’t any interviews but the girls
do talk through what they are doing, how
it makes them feel and the effects it will
have on them and their babies.
•Long takes are used

10. Techniques
•Editing: Post-production editing
using a notebook-style format is used
to emphasise the main parts of the
show and also makes it more
interesting visually for the viewer
•Sound: Music helps to engage the
viewer
•Camera Shots: A variety is used
especially long shots.

11. Examples of Observational
Documentaries
•16 And
Pregnant
•MTV’s Teen
Cribs
•Teen Mom
•Big Brother
•Jersey Shore?