Genre Analysis:
Researching into Examples of different types of Documentary looking at the codes and conventions that can be used in the Documentary that I am going to create in a group.
Title of Documentary Researched:
The Devil Made Me Do It
This documentary is a mixed documentary as it has a combination of voice-overs that pushes the narrative over. The observations give the views and opinions evidence. The themes that come across in the documentary where very broad as different factors where dealt with, Religion was important because the story was surrounded by the death of a nun. Also the Gothic representation and music related to Marilyn Manson as an opposition to the catholic religion. Youth is also a topic as we see how the youth of today is portrayed, and shows how they can be easily influenced by the media.
he beginning confuses you at the start because it sets out the exposition as the nun dies and we look for a link to the problem. The middle then goes on looking for a puppet master for this murder and the reason that it becomes an investigation that leads the documentary to point the finger at Marilyn Manson. The resolution is that the Murderers of the nun go to jail and the town goes back to normality. It gives us a conclusion that we can believe is good.
Different camera skills was used to create an Impact on the audience, Low angles where used on Marilyn to make him look important, whereas the High angles looking down to the audience makes them look inferior. High Crane shots where used over the town to make it look very vulnerable as the brutal attack happened in such a small town in Italy. Canted cameras where used in the interviews to capture the raw emotion of the interviewee's, two shots where used to represent a feeling of coming together to support each others views, such as the interview with the Woman and the man, discussing about the brutal attack and how the girls killed the nun. The expert was being interviewed and the use of a Close up of her face reinforces the fact shes an expert and this is important because her views are based on more evidence than others that could of been hear-say.
For mise-en-scene, The devil made me do it creates a dark atmosphere for the topic, as the topic discusses violence and death, the documentary uses alot of Mise-en-scene to construct an image that they wanted to convey. Backgrounds behind the interviews where dark and light upon their faces, as such in Marilyn's interview he has a light shining upon his face. The directors of the documentary uses colour and imagery in a interesting way to contrast two very different sceneries, The empty villiage is used at the start to show a pieceful setting of a community, with not many people roaming the streets, apposed by the attitude of the "youth of today", the next shot shown is the cahos of the concert of Maralyn manson who is controversial in a setting so peaceful. The teenagers dressed in all black and swearing at the camera makes us think that they are disrespectful. These very different combiations makes the audience make an automatic judgement at the beginning, that could be swayed the other way more into the documentary the audience watches.
The expert woman, wore a red suit that connotes that she is important and power dressing, she stood in front of a crowded area and she stood out from the face everyone around her was wearing darker clothing that created a contrast. We are taken to the place where the murder had been take place that creates that feeling of remorse for the nun, because the place was brutal and out in the open connotes that the 3 girls who killed her are cold hearted and did it with no remorse.
Most of the interviews where conducted inside, which most looked like it was a homely situation, this could be to create a comfortale situation for such a brutal storyline.
People at the concert dressed up in Marilyn's clothes and gothic clothing, this is seen as stereotypical of a fans everyday dress, but this could be because they are getting in the spirit of the show.
Non diagetic sounds are used to dramatise the storyline, it is used in this documentary when the dramatisation of the sound of the stone smacking against the nun is used to get a reaction out of the audience to make them feel the pain, also the use of heartbeats during interviews make you feel on edge and nervous. Spiritual music is used to create a religious moral towards the storyline, it is embedded under voice-overs, and heard against outrageous images of cursing teenagers show the contrast. There is alot of long takes, and establishing shots for narrative, at the start they use an example of a shot of the town where the voice-over was introducing the documentary. Match on action was used against the two shots of Marilyn Manson and his audience at the concert, Shot reverse shot was also used during this clip as it went back and forth to show the fanatic that is around this type of music.
The graphics title has a religious font, that is reflective of the theme, white graphics where used over coloured images, plain and simple to not distract the audience away from the situation in hand.
Title of Documentary Researched:
Marketing Movies
This Documentary is a Mixed, as it has a combination of archive footage of movies and narrative. The themes that are dealt with are The media influence where it shows how marketing effects movie sales, also marketing with film industry, experts tell the audience about how it effects the overall film industry. Target audience is also addressed as they see its important to target at specific people. In the beginning there is a posed question about, why marketing is important? which discusses how it is seen by others. In the middle of the documentary shows conflict, for the movies overcoming bad reviews, it takes us to the case study of mouse hunt that we study in detail. In the End it shows us how mouse hunt was marketed successful.
Camera angles where used effectively and in kept with the code and conventions, Mid shots where used in the interviews to show importance of the topic. Static cameras where made useful in the cutaways as such as dynamic camera angles where used too, to create a visual effect for what most people may view to be a "boring" subject to watch. High angles of London was used to connote the importance of the city in the subject of Marketing as it is the capital and also the most important due to marketing success. Panning shots of merchandise where done as a cutaway from the interviews. The interviewee was positioned to the side of the camera. Close-ups where also used of money and tickets exchanging hands to show the actual narrative to the Documentary.
The Interviewee's where interviewed infront of a set-up of posters that where relevant to marketing in a way that it was marketing in itself. Showing London shows that it is relevant to being the capital film industry of the UK, where Mouse Hunt would be released.
Upbeat music was used for light entertainment for the audience, the sound of the music continued over the new visuals when they cut to each other. The natural sound of the interview with a music bed makes sure that it is kept quirky and not too formal. The sound wasn't used to create any emotion as it wasn't the type of documentary to create it.
Lots of cuts where used between the action of the Interviews, they also used dissolves between interviews and cutaways that creates a flowing effect, fades where used in the same way, this is usually seen as amateur. Chapters where used with fades to and from interviews at cutaways.
Archive Material was used such as Film trailers to give supportive evidence to the context also what was used was footage from premiers to show the fanatic about film and to show its success, supportive evidence was then used at the end, it shown that it was successful.
Graphically, there was use of simple introductions in the interviews and some colourful graphics for chapters to keep the entertainment factor visually.
Title of Documentary Researched:
The Music Biz
This Documentary is also a Mixed, as it uses voice-overs, archive footage of premiers. The themes that are dealt with are Marketing Music, where artists are battling for Christmas number one, Also a Resurrection of
careers.
The beginning presents meatloaf and his resurrection into the music industry, the set up of people are important as it sets the question of will his comeback be successful or not? In the middle it presents a problem of the video costing alot which presents the problem of budgeting. In the end, it shows that, Meatloaf was successful as he was number one at Christmas.
Zooms where used at Meatloaf to show his importance in this documentary, it was used when filming his music video, as he was amongst a crowd the camera quickly found him. There was a use of an unconventional nod of the camera as Meatloaf asked a question to the camera man, this shows that this part is self reflected, as its all about him. A 2 shot and panning shot between Meatloaf and Michael bay shows the relationship & power struggle between the two. A zoom is also used at the lake of virgin records to establish the meeting that then cuts inside to a boarding room. Pans where used in the board room to show the i
mportance of the music industry and tells us its a business we are looking at. Close-ups of Meat loaf show that he is important.
The Mise-en-scene fits perfectly with the theme, as the use of green screen enables them in interviews to put up promotional images and cutaway of articals. On the set of the music video shows that the action is going on and that the audience is there to witness it. Set in the Capital of music in London. The red carpet in the premier cutaway, symbolises is it just music that they set out to present or is it the fame which is more important for them in the long term?. They shown cutaways to Radio presenters such as Pat Sharpe who was very popular at the time, shows that the use of media is important and how the music industry uses it is, Meat Loaf appeared on Pat Sharpe and Good Morning Britain, which where very important shows, and by these visits and appearances it shows that they can be successful for the singer.
Natural sounds are used in the Interviews, that creates realistic viewing. The soundtrack imbeds under the natural sounds. There was non-diagetic sound used when a heartbeat noise was put in when there was trouble with the Meat Loaf spending budget, this questioning us will they be able to make his comeback work?.
Shot-Reverse-shot is used to show the relationship of Meat Loaf & Michael Bay, cut aways where used to show people putting on bets on Meat Loaf being number one, Press Interviews. Fading and Dissolves where used on the Interviews.
Archive Footage of Meat Loaf music video gives the audience a view on what Meat Loaf brings to the music industry. Also the use of Mr Blobby's music video and Take that's to show the competition, and kind of showing the audience what Meat Loaf had for competition. Cut aways to Top of the pops show that the music was a big deal at the time, and that Meat Loafs presents changed his position on the charts.
Magazines where super Imposed as if they are focal with the interviewee on the front of the magazine in the picture, showing their view on the music industry. Use of a grey banner around the Interview introduction, shows how official the documentary is.
Title of Documentary Researched:
That Thing: Lara Croft
This was a Mixed documentary, although only a small part of narration it makes sure that it is well directed to the audience. The themes which are represented are , Post-Feminism as Tomb raider goes away from the stereotypes.
The beginning introduces Lara Croft, and shows the game as it is. In the middle, it presents a problem about the revolution of Lara from her small breast size and bottom size, to then a full figured bust and bottom, it created an ethical difference. Also the makers of Tomb Raider where scared that Angelina Jolie would dictate the way Tomb Raider goes. In the end , It concludes that the game is successful and that Lara is celebrated as a character.
Over-the-shoulder shoots where used with the people playing computer games to show the audience the type of audiences playing these games, we saw men of the age of 20+ and a couple of girls too playing the game. Close up of interviews where used to make sure that people are taking attention to the interview. Some camera work was canted, Angelina Jolie and the Creator of Lara Croft, showing that they are the main people. Pans where used to look at the keyboard action going on as the players are playing on Lara Croft.
The Mise-en-scene was relevant as the Interviewee's where interviewed in a dark background, it gave the impression as they where apart of the computer game, in contrast with the Main people such as Angelina Jolie who was in a lit up background.
Sound was relevant as Natural sound was used from the interviews, sounds in the computer game gave an interesting viewpoint of the question posed, as we heard grunting from Lara, gave us the conclusion that she has been sexualised. Madonna's music and techno music was linked in, because of the age range that may have been watching, it will make the audience relate to that kind of music so then will look more into the documentary.
Cutaways where used during the interviews, and they where fast pace and fast cuts when people where playing the game to fasten up the speed of imagery. some of the editing was fast motion at times to suggest an urgency for this product that is Lara Croft.
The Archive Material used was game material, which gave us an insight into what the hype is about. Film material was also used to show Angelina Jolie's portration of the character Lara Croft.
The graphics used where basic and explanatory, The name That thing is a gimmick because its a theme to all the documentaries they make under this name, Laptop and television graphics was used to put the creator of Tomb Raider interview inside it to make it relevant to the topic.
Title of Documentary Researched:
Secret Life of the Classroom
This was a Mixed documentary, there was a heavy use of narrative to explain what is happening, and also interviews where used from the parents and teachers to give their views on what was happening in the classrooms. Themes that where discussed/presented was Education, as it was set in a school location and also the children of today, how its changed from early. Disciplinary is also an aspect covered as it shows the teachers disciplining the children as they are being disruptive. Behaviour in the classroom is important as it shows how the children act towards eachother that teachers or parents wouldn't find out either way. The narrative structure begins by asking the question Do parents know what happens in school time?, this opens the documentary up to suggestions that parents do not know and that the teachers are dealing with day-to-day situations that parents do not find out about. Also it shows how Parents don't need to worry as the children are being taught the responsibility of growing up. In the middle of the documentary it shows the children are troubling with the idea of friendship, communication skills with others and also behavioural problems that where discussed. The end it shows that Parent's don't have to worry about their children as at the end of the school term, it shows that the children are settled into their classroom surroundings and are behaving in a much civilised way.
An establishing shot was used to show where the documentary is set, the establishing shot was used to show the Primary school at the start. A hand held camera was used alot during the classroom footage, as the camera came down to the children's level, it shown the confusion from the children as the camera is alien to them, and they do not understand. Fly on the wall footage was used as it goes with the title of the film "Secret", this camera work made it feel as if you where spying on the children whilst they where doing their daily activities in school. A mid-shot was used in the interviews to enhance the importance of what the interviewee was saying, an example of this was the Teacher in the primary school as she gave her own opinions about the children and helped us understand why they are acting like they do in the documentary. High angles where used on the children to look down on them as inferior to the teachers, as they where filmed with low angle cameras shots to make them look official in their job title and an authoritative figure. A two shot was used when the mother and child where in the kitchen and it shown them having a close conversation with eachother, it shows how close they are and shows the relationship well. To show the emotion of a child who was crying on the documentary, it was shown using a zoom to emphasize the emotion the child.
It was relevant that the documentary was in the classroom, there was an unconventional shot where in the interview the Teacher of the primary school looked directly into the camera, this is unconventional because the subject, "Interviewee", is looking the the interviewer whilst answering questions but this shot was more direct at the audience as if she was trying to communication clearly. The parents where interviewed at home, this is more relative as you wouldn't see a parent in the school on a daily basis only to pick their child up. The conventional eyes to the interviewer was used by the parents who where directing their answers to them.
Natural sound was used in this documentary as its set in a real place where alot of sound is created by the children, and the teachers in the classroom and playground. The voice over was prominent from the beginning to direct us through the documentary. Interviewees spoke over the cutaways of the children to allow the audience to get a visual of what the interviewee is talking about. Sympathetic music was used with the main child Isaac when he says that his father died, the documentary makers want us to feel compassion for this boy as he has gone through alot at home and can relate this to why his behaviour has been effected.
Cutaways to children are used relativity in the description of what the interviews are talking about, the used of a Fade was used to cut from day to day, to pass the time within the documentary. a cut away to dinosaurs in a pot was to re ensure what the teacher as the interviewee was talking about.
The graphics are simple white to not distract from the importance of the documentary, also the white title of the documentary over moving graphics was at the start of the documentary.
Title of Documentary Researched:
Loose Change 9/11
This documentary is mixed as it has a mixture of Narrative and interviews, supported with alot of evidence to back up the theories discussed. The themes that where discussed was Terrorism, as 9/11 is all about the terrorist attacks that happened on the World Trade Centres in 2001, it is important as this documentary picks up upon conspiracy stories that makes the audience think that terrorism wasn't a part of the 9/11 attacks, yet the government in America made this story up so that they could attack the middle-east. Also it picks up the face that there are alot of conspiracy stories, not just one. In the beginning of the documentary, it gives us facts to make us think: is it just a conspiracy? or is this actually a terror attack?, it then goes on in the middle of the documentary, giving peoples thoughts and evidence that this could be a conspiracy. At the end, it presents us evidence in the form of archive footage to show us that there was a conspiracy, and gives us what they think rather than a two sided explanation.
Pans where used on materials on the to make us read articals, also it zooms into articals for the audience to read. Canted cameras where used in the interviews and still camera footage, also the camera was used in a mid-shot or a full body shot whilst doing the interviews.
An Ariel shot over New York sets the scene that the documentary is going to be about something in New York which is relevant because the 9/11 attacks happened there. Interviews where also used in offices with technology surrounding them. The Interviewee's are dressed in uniforms to reinforce that they are honoured to be apart of what happened that day as people where saved.
Music was imbedded under the narrative to add meaning and to create an atmosphere. Also sound archive was used of screaming people fleeing the Twin Tower buildings, Natural sound was used in the interviews, and an unconventional interviewers voice was used to add meaning to what the interviewee was talking about.
Fade was used in this documentary to go from one image to another, also cross faces where used of the interviews and cutaways to shots of archive footage. Zooms where also used to promote expression on the interviewee's face.
Alot of archive footage was used in this documentary as alot of explanation needed evidence to support their view that they are trying to promote to the audience. The use of the planes crashing into the two buildings to create a drama visually for the audience. A cutaway to Osama bin laden, relates to the two World trade centre, as he was seen as the culprate of the terror attacks. Amateur footage of point of views where important as we got to see different views that created more of a visual shock factor, as we begin to see what the documentary makers want to convey.
The graphics where white and simple, Pictures of people who where important in this documentary where zoomed in upon for us. Computerised graphics where used to give more visual meaning to understand the intensity of the interviews and footage.
Loose Change 9/11
This documentary is mixed as it has a mixture of Narrative and interviews, supported with alot of evidence to back up the theories discussed. The themes that where discussed was Terrorism, as 9/11 is all about the terrorist attacks that happened on the World Trade Centres in 2001, it is important as this documentary picks up upon conspiracy stories that makes the audience think that terrorism wasn't a part of the 9/11 attacks, yet the government in America made this story up so that they could attack the middle-east. Also it picks up the face that there are alot of conspiracy stories, not just one. In the beginning of the documentary, it gives us facts to make us think: is it just a conspiracy? or is this actually a terror attack?, it then goes on in the middle of the documentary, giving peoples thoughts and evidence that this could be a conspiracy. At the end, it presents us evidence in the form of archive footage to show us that there was a conspiracy, and gives us what they think rather than a two sided explanation.
Pans where used on materials on the to make us read articals, also it zooms into articals for the audience to read. Canted cameras where used in the interviews and still camera footage, also the camera was used in a mid-shot or a full body shot whilst doing the interviews.
An Ariel shot over New York sets the scene that the documentary is going to be about something in New York which is relevant because the 9/11 attacks happened there. Interviews where also used in offices with technology surrounding them. The Interviewee's are dressed in uniforms to reinforce that they are honoured to be apart of what happened that day as people where saved.
Music was imbedded under the narrative to add meaning and to create an atmosphere. Also sound archive was used of screaming people fleeing the Twin Tower buildings, Natural sound was used in the interviews, and an unconventional interviewers voice was used to add meaning to what the interviewee was talking about.
Fade was used in this documentary to go from one image to another, also cross faces where used of the interviews and cutaways to shots of archive footage. Zooms where also used to promote expression on the interviewee's face.
Alot of archive footage was used in this documentary as alot of explanation needed evidence to support their view that they are trying to promote to the audience. The use of the planes crashing into the two buildings to create a drama visually for the audience. A cutaway to Osama bin laden, relates to the two World trade centre, as he was seen as the culprate of the terror attacks. Amateur footage of point of views where important as we got to see different views that created more of a visual shock factor, as we begin to see what the documentary makers want to convey.
The graphics where white and simple, Pictures of people who where important in this documentary where zoomed in upon for us. Computerised graphics where used to give more visual meaning to understand the intensity of the interviews and footage.
Research into Scheduling:
After a lot of research into the scheduling of programs, it has helped me to decide where I am going to schedule my documentary when it has been completed and edited for Channel 4. There are a few different time categories that the programs can be put into. The morning programs are often scheduled for those getting ready for work who are watching tv for highlights of what happened the day before and updating the public on forecasts. Despite social differences not being so evident, daytime television is still primarily for "housewives" and often consist of cooking programs . Evening television is often for housewives again as the soaps appeal to them a lot. Late night television is also for students. In addition, channels such as Channel Four screen a lot more repeats than ITV 1 as the cost is not as much, so they import programmes from different countries to fill in the
BBC 1 is a channel intended for "everyone" but this is debatable. The general public pay a TV License toward the BBC and therefore it should screen programs that everyone can watch and enjoy. However, it is often associated with Southern, middle-class people as it all seems very "well-educated" which means that there is a social divide when it comes to television programmes.
BBC 2 was opened for educational purposes and this still runs to this day with programmes for GCSE students, and also Primary school education. They are renowned for screening programs intended to educate and help to develop morals, etc in people. Documentaries were often screened on this channel in the beginning of television.
ITV 1 is often regarded as the working-class channel. A large variety of the programs appeal to many different people e.g. Jeremy Kyle, etc.
Channel Four is viewed as being for students. It has a lot of imported programs such as Friends and Fraser and this is often because it is a lot cheaper to a channel to do this. It compensates for a lack of filming equipment and facilities that BBC1 and ITV1 have to facilitate their programmes they create.
Channel Five was released in much excitement as it was intended to be a big contender with ITV 1. However, it is not as successful today yet tries to appeal to everyone with different channels that it produces and imports it reaches out to different audiences. Most people believe that this is where the tv channel goes wrong as it is difficult to keep a sustained audience with such a big variety of programmes.
