Type of Documentary
The type of documentary is mixed, this is due to the use of archived footage and the use of interviews during it.
Themes
The themes reflect around the life of the soldiers in Afghanistan, it talks about what their views are and what they really think about the war. It talks about their fight for survival on the frontline and some of the effects on the battlefield such as injuries to the soldiers.
Narrative Structure
The narrative of the documentary is linear as the story unfold during the documentary. The beginning of the documentary introduces the audience to the foot soldiers in the frontline closest to the enemy in Afghanistan, we are introduced to their problem as it talks about their fight for survival, a use of a quote is used 'hopefully you don't end up in a bag', this shows the audience how serious the problem is. In the middle of the documentary we are given an insight of the soldiers as ther is conflict given as it talks about the casualties in the camp. We are given interviews from each of the soldiers who seen the moment of a soldier being injured by a landmine. In the end of the documentary sums up the lives of two of the soldiers as they are trasported home but leaves the ending open for the rest of the soldiers.
Camerawork
There is a longshot from the camp at the beginning of the documentary when the narrator talks about the amount of soldier at the camp, this shot shows the silence of the camp as there is only few of them on the frontline. Shot of the interviewees are all close ups, this creates a sense that none of the soldiers are more important than the other. Each interview shot has the background faded so that the audience is focused on the soldiers and their expressions
Mise-en-scene
The interviewees are filmed within their comfort zone so that they can give best responses for the questions and the interview for example one of the soldiers are interviewed in their home.
Sound
The use of sound is diegetic, Most of the sound during the documentary is ambient so that the audience can hear the same sounds as the soldiers hear, this gives them an insight to the soldiers lives better as they get the same feeling as the soldiers do. At one scene we are given sound to build up a specific moment as the soldier is talking about the adrenaline from the conflict. The music changes to create an emotion to the audience when the soldiers are asked if they have killed anyone.
Editing
The use of editing is the use of quick shots, using takes from the camp and the frontline, it skips from the interview back to archived footage while the interviewee is still speaking about the subject.
Archived Material
Archived footage used is footage from the camp showing the lifes of the soldiers, there is also footage of the soldiers on the battlefield, all archived footage is relevant to the subject.
Graphics
Graphics used are white on black for the opening sequence, during parts of the documentary there are quotes from soldiers on a black screen in white writing in order to stand out. Introducing the interviewees, there is a use of black font while they speak, this prevents the audience from being distracted from the narrative.
Friday, 23 September 2011
Thursday, 22 September 2011
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.
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.
Documentary Analysis - Marketing movies
Type of documentary
The type of documentary is mixed as it uses a mixture of interviews, narration and archived footage.
Themes
The themes used in the documentary reflect around marketing campaigns for movies, they show how campaigns for the same movie can differ in order to meet certain audiences so it will appeal to them. The documentary also shows how the movie can be successful and how the trailers are developed.
Narrative structure
During the beginning of the documentary we are shown how marketing can effect the movie as a whole and wether it would be successful or not. In the middle we are shown how merchandise plays a role in marketing for movies and how that can cause people to see the movie and how it can make a profit for the company. The ending to the documentary is open as we as an audience in some cases get to choose how successful the movie could be as it is up to the audience to decide to see the movie or not, this is shown with the ending being two different movie trailers for Mouse hunt.
Camerawork
The camera work uses typical styles of documentaries such as the use of close ups for the interviews, some interviews are shot close to signal the importance of the interviewee over some others.
Mise en scene
The setting used in the background of the documentary is relevant to the subject and is the same for each interviewee so that the audience knows who is interviewed and what their relevance to the documentary is.
Sound
There is an official voiceover in the documentary which tells the audience the story throughout it so that the story flows and that the audience know what is going on. There is a use of sound effects in this documentary which are relevent to the subject and in this case movies.
Editing
The documentary is slowly edited, each interview is cut into each other so after each interview, it would skip into the other. There is a use of green screening in this documentary for the background during interviews.
Archive material
There are trailers from the movie Mouse hunt that are shown to the audience which are archived, the clips used are relevant to the subject and what the narrator is talking about such as the premiere of the movie.
Graphics
White font is used to introduce characters to keep the font simple and so that the audience is not distracted during the interview. There is also a use of animations during the documentary is introduce each subject such are marketing of the movie.
The type of documentary is mixed as it uses a mixture of interviews, narration and archived footage.
Themes
The themes used in the documentary reflect around marketing campaigns for movies, they show how campaigns for the same movie can differ in order to meet certain audiences so it will appeal to them. The documentary also shows how the movie can be successful and how the trailers are developed.
Narrative structure
During the beginning of the documentary we are shown how marketing can effect the movie as a whole and wether it would be successful or not. In the middle we are shown how merchandise plays a role in marketing for movies and how that can cause people to see the movie and how it can make a profit for the company. The ending to the documentary is open as we as an audience in some cases get to choose how successful the movie could be as it is up to the audience to decide to see the movie or not, this is shown with the ending being two different movie trailers for Mouse hunt.
Camerawork
The camera work uses typical styles of documentaries such as the use of close ups for the interviews, some interviews are shot close to signal the importance of the interviewee over some others.
Mise en scene
The setting used in the background of the documentary is relevant to the subject and is the same for each interviewee so that the audience knows who is interviewed and what their relevance to the documentary is.
Sound
There is an official voiceover in the documentary which tells the audience the story throughout it so that the story flows and that the audience know what is going on. There is a use of sound effects in this documentary which are relevent to the subject and in this case movies.
Editing
The documentary is slowly edited, each interview is cut into each other so after each interview, it would skip into the other. There is a use of green screening in this documentary for the background during interviews.
Archive material
There are trailers from the movie Mouse hunt that are shown to the audience which are archived, the clips used are relevant to the subject and what the narrator is talking about such as the premiere of the movie.
Graphics
White font is used to introduce characters to keep the font simple and so that the audience is not distracted during the interview. There is also a use of animations during the documentary is introduce each subject such are marketing of the movie.
Documentary Analysis - The music biz
Type of documentary
The documentary is mixed as it uyses a blend of codes and conventions from a documentary such as the use of observation and interviews. The documentary aslo uses archived footage and conflict to keep the story flowing.
Themes
The themes used reflect around the music industry as a whole. This documentary also uses the theme of comebacks in the music industry and the lengths companies can and will go to try and bring back and old musicians music or try to make them competitive in the music business again.
Narrative Structure
The narrative in the documentray is linear, this is due to the story being unfloded throughout the documentray so the audience would need to continue to watch in order to go more in depth in the story. In the beginning of the story we are introduced with the past of the singer Meat Loaf and his success in the past, a problem is then created as we are shown that he needs to be sold to the public again and needs to be bought by a music company. In the middle of the documentary conflict is shown as we are shown with many different views from the public as some of them support the idea of a comeback by him and others do not like him. We are also given the information about the sacrifices the music company went through in order to fund for the shooting of a comeback music video so it is not just the singer that is effected in an attempt to remake music. The ending ties up all the loose knots of the story and we are shown that all the sacrifices made did go the right way as we see that Meat Loaf becomes a success again as we are shown clips of him during interviews and his popularity at them.
Camerawork
In the documentary the camera uses extreme clos ups in some clips to signal who is the most important characters while they are speaking. The documentary also uses tracking shots when the camera moves through stage doors, this makes the audience the eye witness of the scene. The camera work follows the codes and conventions of documentaries as it uses close ups on the interviewees and uses head and shoulder shots while they are talking.
Mise en scene
The backgrounds used during interviews are relevent to the subject of the documentary or the subject mentioned for example the use of music company logos such as Virgin records being super imposed on the background of an interview, the backgrounds uses also reflect the subject as a uses of a moving background is used and in this case the music video as an interviewee is talking about the music video as a whole.
Sound
The sound used during the documentary is relevent to the subject as it has the song of the music video playing quietly in the background while the interviewee is talking about it. There is no use of of sound effects during his documentary as they are not relevent and are not needed. At times narration is relecting what is going on in the interview such as repeating what the interviewee says.
Editing
The editing follows codes and conventions of documentary as it uses shot/ reverse shots, At the beginning of the documentary we are shown a montage of the singer so this gives the audience an insight to the character and in some cases what the documentary is about as it shows clips of award ceremonies and interviews. Images are also super imposed in the background of interviews to reflect the subject mentioned and are relevent to the subject.
Archived material
The material used is relevent to the subject and at times gives the audience an insight on what is going on such as the final product of the music video, we are also shown material of award ceremonies while the narration is over it, most of the material used presents the audience with a problem as we are shown a music video of another comeback group in attempt to beat Meat Loaf. The archived material used reinforces the narrative for example the clips of the Brit awards while the narration is talking about the awards.
Graphics
The graphics used during the documentary is simple font introducing characters so that the audience does not get distracted and is focused only on the narrative, it also uses the logo of the documentary itself but is still simple. During the opening credits the graphics used give the audience an insight on the subject the opening credits is in a form of print based media and in this case a music magazine.
The documentary is mixed as it uyses a blend of codes and conventions from a documentary such as the use of observation and interviews. The documentary aslo uses archived footage and conflict to keep the story flowing.
Themes
The themes used reflect around the music industry as a whole. This documentary also uses the theme of comebacks in the music industry and the lengths companies can and will go to try and bring back and old musicians music or try to make them competitive in the music business again.
Narrative Structure
The narrative in the documentray is linear, this is due to the story being unfloded throughout the documentray so the audience would need to continue to watch in order to go more in depth in the story. In the beginning of the story we are introduced with the past of the singer Meat Loaf and his success in the past, a problem is then created as we are shown that he needs to be sold to the public again and needs to be bought by a music company. In the middle of the documentary conflict is shown as we are shown with many different views from the public as some of them support the idea of a comeback by him and others do not like him. We are also given the information about the sacrifices the music company went through in order to fund for the shooting of a comeback music video so it is not just the singer that is effected in an attempt to remake music. The ending ties up all the loose knots of the story and we are shown that all the sacrifices made did go the right way as we see that Meat Loaf becomes a success again as we are shown clips of him during interviews and his popularity at them.
Camerawork
In the documentary the camera uses extreme clos ups in some clips to signal who is the most important characters while they are speaking. The documentary also uses tracking shots when the camera moves through stage doors, this makes the audience the eye witness of the scene. The camera work follows the codes and conventions of documentaries as it uses close ups on the interviewees and uses head and shoulder shots while they are talking.
Mise en scene
The backgrounds used during interviews are relevent to the subject of the documentary or the subject mentioned for example the use of music company logos such as Virgin records being super imposed on the background of an interview, the backgrounds uses also reflect the subject as a uses of a moving background is used and in this case the music video as an interviewee is talking about the music video as a whole.
Sound
The sound used during the documentary is relevent to the subject as it has the song of the music video playing quietly in the background while the interviewee is talking about it. There is no use of of sound effects during his documentary as they are not relevent and are not needed. At times narration is relecting what is going on in the interview such as repeating what the interviewee says.
Editing
The editing follows codes and conventions of documentary as it uses shot/ reverse shots, At the beginning of the documentary we are shown a montage of the singer so this gives the audience an insight to the character and in some cases what the documentary is about as it shows clips of award ceremonies and interviews. Images are also super imposed in the background of interviews to reflect the subject mentioned and are relevent to the subject.
Archived material
The material used is relevent to the subject and at times gives the audience an insight on what is going on such as the final product of the music video, we are also shown material of award ceremonies while the narration is over it, most of the material used presents the audience with a problem as we are shown a music video of another comeback group in attempt to beat Meat Loaf. The archived material used reinforces the narrative for example the clips of the Brit awards while the narration is talking about the awards.
Graphics
The graphics used during the documentary is simple font introducing characters so that the audience does not get distracted and is focused only on the narrative, it also uses the logo of the documentary itself but is still simple. During the opening credits the graphics used give the audience an insight on the subject the opening credits is in a form of print based media and in this case a music magazine.
Documentary Analysis - The Devil made me do it
Type of documentary
The devil made me do it is a mixed documentary, this is shown as it uses a blend of documentary styles such as observation, interviews and the use of archived footage. During the documentary the story unfolds so we are unknown to what will happen next
Themes
The themes used in the documentary focus on such themes such as death and religion. Another theme of it is how music and the media can actually influence the public. The themes used are very contraversial as the crime committed is in a religious village in Italy.
Narrative structure
The type of narrative used is linear, we know this as the story unfolds in front of the audience and gives us the story step by step. During the beginning we are unfamiliar with why the crime had been commited but we are shown given the information that a nun had been killed in a small village. In the middle of the documentary we are given a balanced argument between whether if Manson and is influence with his music is to blame for the crime that had been commited. In the end all of the loose knots are tied up in the documentary and everything goes back to normal in the village, we are also shown or given the conclusion that the music is not to blame for the crime, and that the teenagers who commited the crime are sent to prison
Camerawork
During the documentary there are many different camera shots used, in one sequence there is an establishing shot of the small village and the camera pans around it as a narrative is above, this portrays the village as innocent as the camera is looking down at it. During one of the concerts the camera work uses high and low angles, it uses low angles on Manson to portray his dominance or leadership over the fans, this is balanced with the use of high angles on the crowd to show their innocence and in some cases are being influenced by the music, Also we are shown long shots from the crowds perspective so this gives the audience their own opinion on the subject and gives us an insight on what the crowd can see. During the reconstructions, cantered angles are used to make the audience feel off balance or on edge. All of the interviews are shot with close ups expect one is used with an extreme close up on the interviewees face, this portrays their importance on the interview and portrays that what they are saying is fact and is serious.
Mise-en-scene
To get the best responses from the interviewees they are interviewed in their own environment for example Manson is interviewed in his dressing room, or friends of the teenagers are interviewed at their home. During one scene we see a crowd who are wearing black clothing except for one of them, this is by the use of them wearing red clothing to make them seem more important or stand out, the use of red clothing can also signal danger or something bad is about to happen.
Sound
At the beginning of the documentary Manson's music is played while showing the crowds, this sets up the documentary for what is about to happen as it is his music that is being questioned throughout. During a scene in a chapel in Italy, choral music is played over it, this can signal the contradiction between the music played earlier and in some cases portray good vs evil. In the reconstruction sound is used to dramatise the scene such as the enhances sounds such as steps and a heart beat to give a shock factor to the audience as the audience is not shown what is happening but they know exactly what is going on through the use of the sound. The documentary also uses natural sound such as the sound of police cars and church bells during certain scenes.
Editing
The use of editing uses long takes during the documentary, at times it also portrays characteres in different ways for example it portrays Manson as negative through the clips shown such as him ripping up a bible which is contraversial. During Mansons concert it uses shot/reverse shots between him and the crowd, as he is singing it skips to the crowd mimicking his actions or words.
Archive material
The use of footage that is taken not from the documentary are parts of Manson's music videos so the footage used is relevent to the subject, it also has footage of talk shows when they are having a debate about the matter of if music is to blame, the footage used create a sense of wrong doing for the character and are portraying Manson as negative or the villian in some cases.
Graphics
The use of graphics during the interviews are plain white font so that the audience does not get distracted or put off what is going on. During the opening credits the font is white on a black screen, the font used is reflecting religion so this can portray good vs evil. Also during the concert the lyrics of the songs are subtitled for the audience to see so that they can have their own opinion on the matter or subject.
The devil made me do it is a mixed documentary, this is shown as it uses a blend of documentary styles such as observation, interviews and the use of archived footage. During the documentary the story unfolds so we are unknown to what will happen next
Themes
The themes used in the documentary focus on such themes such as death and religion. Another theme of it is how music and the media can actually influence the public. The themes used are very contraversial as the crime committed is in a religious village in Italy.
Narrative structure
The type of narrative used is linear, we know this as the story unfolds in front of the audience and gives us the story step by step. During the beginning we are unfamiliar with why the crime had been commited but we are shown given the information that a nun had been killed in a small village. In the middle of the documentary we are given a balanced argument between whether if Manson and is influence with his music is to blame for the crime that had been commited. In the end all of the loose knots are tied up in the documentary and everything goes back to normal in the village, we are also shown or given the conclusion that the music is not to blame for the crime, and that the teenagers who commited the crime are sent to prison
Camerawork
During the documentary there are many different camera shots used, in one sequence there is an establishing shot of the small village and the camera pans around it as a narrative is above, this portrays the village as innocent as the camera is looking down at it. During one of the concerts the camera work uses high and low angles, it uses low angles on Manson to portray his dominance or leadership over the fans, this is balanced with the use of high angles on the crowd to show their innocence and in some cases are being influenced by the music, Also we are shown long shots from the crowds perspective so this gives the audience their own opinion on the subject and gives us an insight on what the crowd can see. During the reconstructions, cantered angles are used to make the audience feel off balance or on edge. All of the interviews are shot with close ups expect one is used with an extreme close up on the interviewees face, this portrays their importance on the interview and portrays that what they are saying is fact and is serious.
Mise-en-scene
To get the best responses from the interviewees they are interviewed in their own environment for example Manson is interviewed in his dressing room, or friends of the teenagers are interviewed at their home. During one scene we see a crowd who are wearing black clothing except for one of them, this is by the use of them wearing red clothing to make them seem more important or stand out, the use of red clothing can also signal danger or something bad is about to happen.
Sound
At the beginning of the documentary Manson's music is played while showing the crowds, this sets up the documentary for what is about to happen as it is his music that is being questioned throughout. During a scene in a chapel in Italy, choral music is played over it, this can signal the contradiction between the music played earlier and in some cases portray good vs evil. In the reconstruction sound is used to dramatise the scene such as the enhances sounds such as steps and a heart beat to give a shock factor to the audience as the audience is not shown what is happening but they know exactly what is going on through the use of the sound. The documentary also uses natural sound such as the sound of police cars and church bells during certain scenes.
Editing
The use of editing uses long takes during the documentary, at times it also portrays characteres in different ways for example it portrays Manson as negative through the clips shown such as him ripping up a bible which is contraversial. During Mansons concert it uses shot/reverse shots between him and the crowd, as he is singing it skips to the crowd mimicking his actions or words.
Archive material
The use of footage that is taken not from the documentary are parts of Manson's music videos so the footage used is relevent to the subject, it also has footage of talk shows when they are having a debate about the matter of if music is to blame, the footage used create a sense of wrong doing for the character and are portraying Manson as negative or the villian in some cases.
Graphics
The use of graphics during the interviews are plain white font so that the audience does not get distracted or put off what is going on. During the opening credits the font is white on a black screen, the font used is reflecting religion so this can portray good vs evil. Also during the concert the lyrics of the songs are subtitled for the audience to see so that they can have their own opinion on the matter or subject.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Codes and Conventions
- Narration leads the documentary
- Archived footage is used that is relevant to the subject
- Observation unfolds the story
- Interviews
- Conflict unfolds the narrative
- Introductions
- Linear Narratives
- Close ups for interviews
- Extreme close ups/ Long shots
- High/Low angles
- Diegetic/Non Diegetic sound
- Cutaways that anchor meaning
- Captions
- Sound effects
- Shot/Reverse shots
- Dissolves
- Green screens
- Ambient sound
- Simple graphics so that the audience is not distracted
- Establishing shots
- Tracking shots
- Cantred angles
- Reconstructions
- Background is relevant to the subject
- Panning shots
- Rule of thirds
- Montages
- Exposition
- Mise en scene is relevant to the subject
- Relevance to subject
- Music bed
- Clear themes
- No light source behind interviewees
- Interviewee does not look directly at the camera
- No questions heard or on the screen during interviews
- Experts used
- Vox pops
- Opening titles
- Interviewee repeats question in a form of an answer
- Based on the truth
- Eye line 3/4 up the screen
- Variety of camera angles
- Clear beginning
- Narrative is clear
- Evidence used
- Clear endings
- Continuity is kept throughout
- Lack of special effects as they are not needed
- Interviews are never whole
- Dramatisation
- Text is in a different corner to the interviewee
Monday, 19 September 2011
Introduction to Documentaries
Types of documentary
Fully narrative: Everything that is seen is anchored by a voiceover, uses 'Voice of god' - The truth
Fly on the wall: Focuses on observation, little commentary, They are filmed when the moment is actually happening. The camera can be used to convey chilling moments. These types of documentary are all down to editing as they are built on meaning
Mixed: Mixed documentaries use a blend of interview, observation and narration. The narrator unfold the story throughout the documentary. They represent objective reality not just construction
Self reflective: These documentaries are focused on talking to the camera, this draws attention to the person, this shows the film makers rols in the view of reality, it reflects on the film maker not just the subject
Docu-Dramas: These re-anact events, they focus on real events for example JFK or Hillsborough. They try to relive truth but they deliver fiction. They can be misleading for example the program Airport.
Docu-Soaps: These follow daily lives of people, these type of documentaries were originated in the UK. These questioned on whether they are documentaries at all as they require a minimal film crew
Some documentaries are 'glossed up' , they are watered down to appeal to audiences, and example of this are Fly on the wall documentaries or Docu-Dramas. Focus is often softened so that hard hitting subjects appeal to an audience so they do not challenge the subject.
'What distinguishes documentary is a portrayal of the recorded sounds and images of actuality' - John Corner
'Truth is what you actually come away with at the end of seeing the film. I mean its your truth you're seeing. Everybody who makes a film is putting their own truth on the screen' - Diane Tammers, Film maker
Fully narrative: Everything that is seen is anchored by a voiceover, uses 'Voice of god' - The truth
Fly on the wall: Focuses on observation, little commentary, They are filmed when the moment is actually happening. The camera can be used to convey chilling moments. These types of documentary are all down to editing as they are built on meaning
Mixed: Mixed documentaries use a blend of interview, observation and narration. The narrator unfold the story throughout the documentary. They represent objective reality not just construction
Self reflective: These documentaries are focused on talking to the camera, this draws attention to the person, this shows the film makers rols in the view of reality, it reflects on the film maker not just the subject
Docu-Dramas: These re-anact events, they focus on real events for example JFK or Hillsborough. They try to relive truth but they deliver fiction. They can be misleading for example the program Airport.
Docu-Soaps: These follow daily lives of people, these type of documentaries were originated in the UK. These questioned on whether they are documentaries at all as they require a minimal film crew
Some documentaries are 'glossed up' , they are watered down to appeal to audiences, and example of this are Fly on the wall documentaries or Docu-Dramas. Focus is often softened so that hard hitting subjects appeal to an audience so they do not challenge the subject.
- The purpose of a documentary is to document an event, this must be done with evidence
- Actual footage is allowed to be used in a documentary
- Reconstructions can be added to create a meaning to a viewer
- Voice overs are used during documentaries
- Documentaries are problematic
- There can be numerous amounts of documented events. They may resemble elements of truth
- Even though documentaies are considered as 'real' we should still question them
- Five central features of documentary: Observation, Mise en scene, Interview, Exposition, Dramatisation
- Although giving a factual amount of an event does not always mean actual footage. It is important to realise that even in a documentary a high level of construction takes place. Documentary does not have analysis, they are descriptive and leave the viewer to decide an opinion
- John Grierson stated that documentaries are the 'creative amount of actuality'
- He created two documentaries: Housing problems 1935
- Coal Face 1935
- He created documentaries to give the idea that people are given a glimpse into other peoples lives. Documentaries were created in times of the war to boost morale
- Scheduling of a documentary is important - positioning of the documentary can be tricky. Mostly emotional or sensational documentaries are usually on TV. They offer a balanced view point, this leaves the viewer to make up their mind
- There are a range os sub genres that now fit into the term documentary. Despite the arguments all documentaries agree that there must be elements of recorded images and sounds of the actual reality. They are not just about facts
- Current affairs programmes are half way between a documentary and the news, they offer a deep analysis of an issue. They can range from a few minutes to 30 minutes long. The difference between current affairs programmes and documentaries are that documentaries take months to make as there are shorter deadlins for current affairs programmes
'What distinguishes documentary is a portrayal of the recorded sounds and images of actuality' - John Corner
'Truth is what you actually come away with at the end of seeing the film. I mean its your truth you're seeing. Everybody who makes a film is putting their own truth on the screen' - Diane Tammers, Film maker
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)