Documentary Analysis - That thing: Lara Croft

Type of documentary
The documentary type is mixed, we know this as it uses a blend of narration, interviews and archived footage

Themes
Themes used reflect around the games industry and movie companies as it talks about a game being made into a film, it also looks at the theme of feminism as it talks about a female herione in a game and how they contradict the idea of a 'typical' woman. Another theme is how media can effect society as a whole as the game influenced the public and became popular which led to people dressing like Lara croft from the game.

Narrative structure
The narrative in the documentary is linear as the story flows throughout the documentary and the audience are given the story through narration. We are introduced with the fan base of the game and Lara croft at the beginning of the documentary. Conflict is shown in the middle as it shows the making of the film and how close it is being made to the gaming frachise, we are also shown and told how the game and franchise became successful. The ending to the documentary is open as it gives the audience the decision to make the movie as successful as the franchise by deciding to go to watch the movie or not.

Camerawork
The shots in the interviews follow codes and conventions of documentaries by being shot with close ups, the also vary from being shot from left or right to keep the audience entertained. There is a use of an over the shoulder shot while someone is playing the game and being interviewed about it. During some of the interviews there are cantered angles, this is to give the audience the feel that they are in the game themselves or playing it.

Mise en scene
The backgrounds used are relevant to the subject such as the use of the clips in the background while speaking about the game or movie. Some of the backgrounds are animated as there is gameplay in the background while the interview goes on. The background is green throughout to reflect the style of a game and reflect the theme of the games industry.

Sound
There is a use of diegetic sound from the game itself such as gunshots during the documentary. Sounds from the film are used when interviewees are talking about the film and during the film clips themselves.
Editing
In one part of the documentary the editing used creates a sense that the interviewee is talking to Lara in the game thorugh a use of cutting between them both as they speak. During the interviews the background is portayed onto the interviewees faces so it gives the impression that they are in the game themselves. During the opening credits there is a montage from the game to set up the audience for the documentary and the narrative.
Archive material
Archived footage in this documentary reflect the subject by using footage from the game itself and footage from the movie adaptation. There is also footage from websites and magazines talking about the subject of Lara Croft.
Graphics
Graphics used are plain white font to introduce the characters so that the audience is not distracted during the documentary.