Observational Documentary: This is a documentary that follows someone or people through their real life. An example of this is Airport, this documentary follows people through the real events of their time in the airport.
Reality TV: Is television programming that is unscripted and often features a previously unknown cast. Through the rise of it's popularity has been criticised since people are often placed in artificial situations. An example of this is Jersey Shore in which it is very prevalent that the characters are placed in artificial situations.
Docudrama: This is when real events are re-staged and dramatised and re-enhanced in order to create a staged version of real life events. An example of this is BBC's Egypt which is about archaeologists discoveries, it uses flashbacks and has actors portraying Egyptians.
Wildlife Documentary: This focuses on facts about animals, plants or other non-human creatures usually in their natural environment. An example of this is Life In Cold Blood a documentary presented by David Attenborough about the evolution of amphibians and reptiles.
Docusoap (Real-life soap operas): Is similar to reality TV only often the editing is used to constructed the film into a plot for the audience to follow so it closer resembles soap operas. An example of this is The Real Housewives Of Orange County.
Fixed Rig Documentaries (multiple fixed cameras at filming locations): These take place in one location which will have numerous cameras set up at different angles in order to capture the every day events that happen within in that location. May also be accompanied by interviews of the people that pass in that location, an example of this is The Family, in which cameras are set up in an ordinary home to catch how people interact with each other at what happens in their household.
Single Camera Documentary: Is when one camera is used, this creates a more intimate effect and is often used to film people dealing with issues in life like weight. An example of this is Supersize Me in which follows a person eating only Mc Donald's for a month.
News Reactive Documentary: Are documentaries that are made as a reaction to big news, mainly to the deaths of well known people. This can be controversial as the documentaries are often filmed before the person is dead so that they can be released as soon as the person dies. An example of this is Nelson Mandela Life Story which would of been filmed and people interviewed while he was looking ill but before he died.
News: Focuses on reporting big worldwide (or big for the country) events in a highly factual manner and as up to date as possible. An example of this is ITV News.
Chat Shows: In which celebrities are interviewed or come to speak about different topics. An example of this is Piers Morgan's Life Stories in which Piers Morgan interviews celebrities about big events in their lives.
