Documentary Analysis

March of the Penguins by VealeDoc

BBC- Frozen Planet by VealeDoc

Discovery- Gold Rush by Livvy Veale

National Geographic Channel- Banged Up Abroad by Livvy Veale

Below are analyses of examples we watched in class.  

March Of the Penguin                                                          Mode: Observational

1.Film Language a)    What types of shots are used? Is the camera static? b)   Does any type of shot dominate or is there a variety? c)    Is the editing fast or slow?	An array of angles and movements. Most effective being close up and extreme long shot. Slow paced editing to mirror serious focus ( life & death).
2. Documentary techniques a)    Does the documentary include interviews? If so, who with? b)   Is there a voiceover? What information is given in it? c)    C) Are we aware of the     documentary- maker? (Do they appear on camera? Do we hear their voice?	No interviews. Informative voiceover by Morgan Freeman. Not aware of the documentarian.
3. Sound a)    What different types of sound are used? b)   What is effect of any music used? c)    What is the relationship between the voiceover and the image? Does the image illustrate what the voiceover says?	Only diegetic sounds. Slow & emotional- depressing/ uplifting and calm.  Image illustrates voiceover

Kids Behind Bars                                                      Mode: Expository

1.Film Language a)    What types of shots are used? Is the camera static? b)   Does any type of shot dominate or is there a variety? c)    Is the editing fast or slow?	An array of angles and movements.  Handheld Long shot dominates. Mid-paced
2. Documentary techniques a)    Does the documentary include interviews? If so, who with? b)   Is there a voiceover? What information is given in it? c)    C) Are we aware of the     documentary- maker? (Do they appear on camera? Do we hear their voice?	Interview with protagonists. Informative in to specific subject matters. Not aware of the documentarian.
3. Sound a)    What different types of sound are used? b)   What is effect of any music used? c)    What is the relationship between the voiceover and the image? Does the image illustrate what the voiceover says?	Only dietetic sounds. High/ Mid-paced music creates a tense atmosphere. Image illustrates voiceover

Ross Kemp On Gangs                                                            Mode: Reflexive

1.Film Language a)    What types of shots are used? Is the camera static? b)   Does any type of shot dominate or is there a variety? c)    Is the editing fast or slow?	An array of angles and movements.  Handheld. Mid shots and close-ups. Mid-paced/ Fast-paced
2. Documentary techniques a)    Does the documentary include interviews? If so, who with? b)   Is there a voiceover? What information is given in it? c)    Are we aware of the     documentary- maker? (Do they appear on camera? Do we hear their voice?	Interview with protagonists, a number of gangs. Informative voiceover by Ross Kemp. We are aware of his presence in front of camera and in the voiceovers.
3. Sound a)    What different types of sound are used? b)   What is effect of any music used? c)    What is the relationship between the voiceover and the image? Does the image illustrate what the voiceover says?	Both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds; non-diegetic sounds to create tension. Tension  Image illustrates voiceover

When we where planning our documentary we decided to have a strong presentation of our chosen topic, to do this we decided to look at pother documentaries presenting tough topics, and see how they presented their impression , we also decided to have 3 different presentations of the topic so that we would create a fair and balanced documentary so the audience can decide for themselves their opinion. This Prezi presents some of the other documentary that influenced. 

The english Riots 
This documentary uses a similar format to what we have used, blending archive footage, interviews and other interesting media from the riots. They have interviews with numerous insiders who portray the riots in their opinion leaving the viewer to determine their own thoughts upon the riots which is what we would like to achieve, by portraying the riots for what they are and not being overly provocative to any side of the story. With the use of blending in all of these media sources it gives the documentary an overall feeling and presents an interesting view on the riots. Critical interviews with people who have been directly affected gives really good insight for the viewer to understand.