- High angle shots and hand held shots of club/bar showing people having night out. Low shutter speed so that action and lights blurred, may create drunken affect.
If I wanted to use the crane this wouldn’t be possible due to permission and accessibility. Therefore I would have to get on a table or somewhere high to take the what which would be dangerous for me and the equipment.
- Hand held shots asking teenagers in this club/bar about drugs.
People may not want to be filmed or if they do might not be truthful.
- Reconstruction of someone selling drugs, to illustrate how easily accessible they are.
Actors would be needed for these shots. Easy to film but would need to arrange for actors to be involved.
- Interview shots of teenagers on views and experiences of drugs, range of shots needed. Permission letters and forms needed from the teenagers taking part. Again teenagers may not be honest in the interviews.
- Interview shots of recovering addicts in rehabilitation centre (Thames Reach).
Permission letters from the addicts also Thames Reach. They may not react well to some of the questions and they also may not be entirely truthful.
- Film some of the work that goes on in the rehabilitation centre i.e workshops.
Permission letters from Thames Reach and participants. Gaining permission may be hard and getting people to igmore the camera and act normally.
- Interview a Thames Reach worker in order to get another view on the problems. Filmed in other environment than the recovery addicts.
Permission letter from worker and Thames Reach.
- Interview recovered addicts to highlight how lives have moved on.
Permission Letter from participant. Again may not be truthful.
- Back to club/bar footage to highlight nothing has truly changed. Refer to first shot.
In the end I decided not to go forward with my initial idea of a drug documentary. I think it would be hard to arrange and even if I got permission it would be hard to know if my participants were being truthful. I think this idea had lot of potential and for that reason disappointed that I was unable to proceed.
Thursday 16 October 2008
Product Rsearch- Analysing types of Doccumentaries
The Expository mode- “Streetdancer” (Josephine Baker)
-Interview used to move point on
- Sound bridge used between location shots and interview to introduce the interview. This works as we hear the voice before we see the person but we expect to see it therefore are prepared. This also works other way where maybe diegetic noise comes over interviewee which then prepares use for next shot ie noise of car then see image of street.
-Voice of narrator heard throughout
Although I do not wish to make an expository mode documentary, there are numerous conventions I can take from this documentary such as voice over. However I would employ a voice over from my participants rather than myself. The use of sound bridges that are used in “streetdancer” may also translate nicely into my documentary. The editing is simple and doesn’t take away from the content which is crucial to a documentary as you want audience to focus on issues raised.
The Observational mode- “Clown Children”
- Establishing shots showing the hustle and bustle of the city, Audience shown busy main road, it illustrates uninterrupted everyday life as there isn’t much editing.
- Over this is diegetic sounds of birds and transport (city sounds) which builds creating true representation of this environment.
- Children shown getting ready (putting on face paint), although camera close to them they ignore it in order to illustrate that this is their normal routine.
-Only see face full on through shot of mirror- building on idea that camera isn’t there.
-Continuously returns to close up of traffic lights that continue to change this is important as creates idea that city isn’t stopping we are simply dipping into their world.
I really liked the feel of this documentary as the shots gave the piece an authentic feel. The participants ignoring the cameras presence worked well and this is something I would like to transfer into my own documentary. There are many abstract shots within this documentary which are achieved through extreme close-up, playing with focus and iris shutter speed, also altering the lighting. I thought this style of shots worked well as it was visually interesting and didn’t enable audience to be passive they had to interact with images. This style of filming mirrors styles from other genre which made the documentary interesting and appeal to wider audience. I think parts of this doc were reconstructed however is filmed as the participants would acknowledge camera otherwise. However its filmed so doesn’t seem so.
The interactive mode- “my kid could paint that”
- The documentary starts with the film maker and follows his journey.
- Child shown playing with camera functions
- Child and interviewer shown sitting together as he shows her how to use camera and they test the microphone together.
- The camera switches from the camera man to the view from camera.
The good thing about this style of documentary is that it doesn’t pretend to be anything else. The process and product isn’t hidden of perfected, which allows the audience not only to enjoy the issues raised but appreciate the process. The shots explicitly show the documentary maker interacting with participant; I do not wish to be featured in my documentary as I want the focus to be on subject. I also think that the time allowed is too small to shows the making of the doc; either I make as small doc that will be simply be about the making process or will featured in a snippet of a larger doc but ultimately take away from overall issue.
Ethnographic film- nail parlour
- Voice over of many voices all talking about same topic. Shows what they have in common.
- Repeatedly closer shots of nail varnish, all same just closer.
- Lots of fades used between shots of the same topic
- Many shots that come in and out of focus of the topic.
- Most shots were reconstructed as were extreme close ups of items and not actually of people.
I like the use of numerous voice over’s in the beginning of this documentary, it almost becomes a sound scape of different views. This is a successful opening of the documentary as the audience don’t know what the participants are referring to but the snippets of words and phrases draws them in as they want to know more. The extreme close ups and jump zooms are visual interesting while complimenting the voice over. However if you don’t have such a direct focus as this doc does I am not sure if it would work.
I t was extremely useful to examine different styles documentaries as it made the conventions of each of them clear. I also think it was very helpful for me to see what I like from each and begin to think about how I could apply them to my own documentary.
-Interview used to move point on
- Sound bridge used between location shots and interview to introduce the interview. This works as we hear the voice before we see the person but we expect to see it therefore are prepared. This also works other way where maybe diegetic noise comes over interviewee which then prepares use for next shot ie noise of car then see image of street.
-Voice of narrator heard throughout
Although I do not wish to make an expository mode documentary, there are numerous conventions I can take from this documentary such as voice over. However I would employ a voice over from my participants rather than myself. The use of sound bridges that are used in “streetdancer” may also translate nicely into my documentary. The editing is simple and doesn’t take away from the content which is crucial to a documentary as you want audience to focus on issues raised.
The Observational mode- “Clown Children”
- Establishing shots showing the hustle and bustle of the city, Audience shown busy main road, it illustrates uninterrupted everyday life as there isn’t much editing.
- Over this is diegetic sounds of birds and transport (city sounds) which builds creating true representation of this environment.
- Children shown getting ready (putting on face paint), although camera close to them they ignore it in order to illustrate that this is their normal routine.
-Only see face full on through shot of mirror- building on idea that camera isn’t there.
-Continuously returns to close up of traffic lights that continue to change this is important as creates idea that city isn’t stopping we are simply dipping into their world.
I really liked the feel of this documentary as the shots gave the piece an authentic feel. The participants ignoring the cameras presence worked well and this is something I would like to transfer into my own documentary. There are many abstract shots within this documentary which are achieved through extreme close-up, playing with focus and iris shutter speed, also altering the lighting. I thought this style of shots worked well as it was visually interesting and didn’t enable audience to be passive they had to interact with images. This style of filming mirrors styles from other genre which made the documentary interesting and appeal to wider audience. I think parts of this doc were reconstructed however is filmed as the participants would acknowledge camera otherwise. However its filmed so doesn’t seem so.
The interactive mode- “my kid could paint that”
- The documentary starts with the film maker and follows his journey.
- Child shown playing with camera functions
- Child and interviewer shown sitting together as he shows her how to use camera and they test the microphone together.
- The camera switches from the camera man to the view from camera.
The good thing about this style of documentary is that it doesn’t pretend to be anything else. The process and product isn’t hidden of perfected, which allows the audience not only to enjoy the issues raised but appreciate the process. The shots explicitly show the documentary maker interacting with participant; I do not wish to be featured in my documentary as I want the focus to be on subject. I also think that the time allowed is too small to shows the making of the doc; either I make as small doc that will be simply be about the making process or will featured in a snippet of a larger doc but ultimately take away from overall issue.
Ethnographic film- nail parlour
- Voice over of many voices all talking about same topic. Shows what they have in common.
- Repeatedly closer shots of nail varnish, all same just closer.
- Lots of fades used between shots of the same topic
- Many shots that come in and out of focus of the topic.
- Most shots were reconstructed as were extreme close ups of items and not actually of people.
I like the use of numerous voice over’s in the beginning of this documentary, it almost becomes a sound scape of different views. This is a successful opening of the documentary as the audience don’t know what the participants are referring to but the snippets of words and phrases draws them in as they want to know more. The extreme close ups and jump zooms are visual interesting while complimenting the voice over. However if you don’t have such a direct focus as this doc does I am not sure if it would work.
I t was extremely useful to examine different styles documentaries as it made the conventions of each of them clear. I also think it was very helpful for me to see what I like from each and begin to think about how I could apply them to my own documentary.
Product Research- Types of Documentaries
The Expository mode
-Interviews used by filmmaker only in support of film’s argument
-Direct relationship between images and voice- over
-A conversational narrative formation
-‘voice of god’ narration directly addressing viewer
-The narrator may also appear as ‘character’ within documentary (such as David Attenborough)
The expository mode would not be relevant for the style of documentary I wish to make. As I am aiming to do a ‘workers profile’ I think the voice of the participants is crucial and certainly more important that a voice of god narrator, the two wouldn’t work successfully.
The Observational mode
-Editing which gives the impression of ‘real’ time
-Relatively long takes connoting that nothing has been ‘cut out’
-Overheard speech which is not directed at camera
-Only diegetic music (originating in the documentary’s world)
-Fly-on-the-wall style presentation (non-interventionist)
-Hand-held camera or zoom lenses used to follow action
-Unobtrusive camera work, appearing to offer a window on the world
I think that the observatory mode could work well with my subject as I want to show john (my participant) in his natural surroundings. I think it is imperative that my documentary highlights his capability in the workplace therefore a fly-on-the-wall style will allows me to achieve this. However I can not afford to have a very long shots and ‘real’ time editing as this only a short documentary.
The Interactive mode
-The filmmaker speaking directly to interviewee
-The acknowledged presence of camera and crew
-Lots of monologues and dialogues
-Editing maintaining logical continuity
-No definite argument enables audience to choose
-Represents many and alternative viewpoints
I do not think that it would be appropriate to have the camera and crew acknowledged in my documentary as I want the focus to be on films issues rather than the filming process. If my documentary was full of monologues it would get boring, take up most of the time allowed and give it an acted feel, whereas I want it to be genuine and real. However I do want there to be no definite argument so that the audience can form there own views on the subject.
The Reflexive mode
-Discuses the problems of making a documentary
-Making explicit the process of representation
-Clearly showing the institutional issues (such as who is funding it)
This mode isn’t relevant to me as it would be an independent documentary made by a student film maker for channel 4’s three minute wonders hence doesn’t need funding. And as this is a short documentary there is no time to show the problems of film making, unless that would be my chosen theme/issue.
The Performative mode
-This is where the ‘maker’ stars in the film and becomes the protagonist, it also has an element of the reflexive mode.
If I was to be featured it would take away from the issue I am examining. I also question weather I would be able to follow my story in a short documentary this may be more relevant if I had chosen to only create a snippet of a documentary.
Ethnographic film
-motivated by the desire to understand the ways of life and perceptive of a culture or sub-culture.
-they focus on a group, or an individual, or object or place that relate to that culture
-They are primarily focused on the human experiences and how people interact with world around them.
-On the whole they have been known to look at diverse and uncommon places in the world, but are very relevant to our culture also.
I do wish to focus on a subculture in society therefore emy documentary could be classed as an ethnographic film. Again I do wish to show how john interacts with his surrounding world more specifically the world of work. However I will be examining within our own culture and not travelling to search for an unusual group as I am restricted in what I can achieve. Although my documentary can be classed as ethnographic film I want to include elements from other genres.
-Interviews used by filmmaker only in support of film’s argument
-Direct relationship between images and voice- over
-A conversational narrative formation
-‘voice of god’ narration directly addressing viewer
-The narrator may also appear as ‘character’ within documentary (such as David Attenborough)
The expository mode would not be relevant for the style of documentary I wish to make. As I am aiming to do a ‘workers profile’ I think the voice of the participants is crucial and certainly more important that a voice of god narrator, the two wouldn’t work successfully.
The Observational mode
-Editing which gives the impression of ‘real’ time
-Relatively long takes connoting that nothing has been ‘cut out’
-Overheard speech which is not directed at camera
-Only diegetic music (originating in the documentary’s world)
-Fly-on-the-wall style presentation (non-interventionist)
-Hand-held camera or zoom lenses used to follow action
-Unobtrusive camera work, appearing to offer a window on the world
I think that the observatory mode could work well with my subject as I want to show john (my participant) in his natural surroundings. I think it is imperative that my documentary highlights his capability in the workplace therefore a fly-on-the-wall style will allows me to achieve this. However I can not afford to have a very long shots and ‘real’ time editing as this only a short documentary.
The Interactive mode
-The filmmaker speaking directly to interviewee
-The acknowledged presence of camera and crew
-Lots of monologues and dialogues
-Editing maintaining logical continuity
-No definite argument enables audience to choose
-Represents many and alternative viewpoints
I do not think that it would be appropriate to have the camera and crew acknowledged in my documentary as I want the focus to be on films issues rather than the filming process. If my documentary was full of monologues it would get boring, take up most of the time allowed and give it an acted feel, whereas I want it to be genuine and real. However I do want there to be no definite argument so that the audience can form there own views on the subject.
The Reflexive mode
-Discuses the problems of making a documentary
-Making explicit the process of representation
-Clearly showing the institutional issues (such as who is funding it)
This mode isn’t relevant to me as it would be an independent documentary made by a student film maker for channel 4’s three minute wonders hence doesn’t need funding. And as this is a short documentary there is no time to show the problems of film making, unless that would be my chosen theme/issue.
The Performative mode
-This is where the ‘maker’ stars in the film and becomes the protagonist, it also has an element of the reflexive mode.
If I was to be featured it would take away from the issue I am examining. I also question weather I would be able to follow my story in a short documentary this may be more relevant if I had chosen to only create a snippet of a documentary.
Ethnographic film
-motivated by the desire to understand the ways of life and perceptive of a culture or sub-culture.
-they focus on a group, or an individual, or object or place that relate to that culture
-They are primarily focused on the human experiences and how people interact with world around them.
-On the whole they have been known to look at diverse and uncommon places in the world, but are very relevant to our culture also.
I do wish to focus on a subculture in society therefore emy documentary could be classed as an ethnographic film. Again I do wish to show how john interacts with his surrounding world more specifically the world of work. However I will be examining within our own culture and not travelling to search for an unusual group as I am restricted in what I can achieve. Although my documentary can be classed as ethnographic film I want to include elements from other genres.
Intial Documentary Ideas- further planning
I now have numerous potential ideas for my documentary; however I only have so much time and resources to make it. So I have decided to do some further planning that should enable me to see which ones are suitable and consequently come to a final choice. I have put each documentary into relevant categories to organise my planning but also to see which aspects would work and which wouldn’t.
Changing Southbank
Groups
-People involved in the London film festival
-Members of the Tate and other cultural institutions
-BFI employee- Alisha
-Londoners who enjoy the Southbank space.
Spaces
-BFI
-Tate
-Areas along the river (Royal Festival Hall)
-London eye
Visual symbols
-iconic buildings
-Southbank landscape
-clips from Southbank archive
Sounds
-Talking
-Music (composed)
-Theatre (clapping)
-Traffic
I would have access to the people needed in this documentary due to the work I did with the BFI during the summer. However gaining filming permission for the Southbank can be problematic as I would need to go through the local council. Therefore I have decided that this idea will need too much organisation and would result in me needing large amount of limited resources and teacher’s time thus is not fair to other students.
Out to play
Groups
-Parents
-Children
-‘playground community’
Spaces
-Schools
-Dulwich Park
-interviewee’s home/street
Visual symbols
-playground structures
-low shutter speed shots of children playing
-tracking shot of child’s hand running along railings
Southbank archives
Sounds
-playground noises
-children laughing
-ice cream van
-Old nursery rhymes
I was initially really interested in this idea as “out to play” highlight how different it is to grow up in today’s society and it would be interesting to explore why this may be. All the spaces and people should all be reasonably accessible as I know several parents of young children and there is a very family orientated park near where I live. Although I would need to consider how I would arrange this as I live quite far from school. Therefore my filming would need to be completed on the weekends, so I would need my teacher’s commitment. If I was to go ahead with this documentary the sound would be crucial to the over affect and I could either use diagetic sound from the park (however may not be very good quality due to the camera’s we have access to) or I can download sound affects from website: In the end I have chosen not to progress with this idea as I was ultimately more interested in another theme.
Exams
Groups
-A level students
-Primary school students
-Teachers
-Parents
Spaces
-My school
-Primary school
-Interviewee’s house
Visual symbols
-Exam papers
-Children playing
-Clock
Sounds
-School bells
-Clock ticking
-People talking
I came up with this idea over the summer while I myself was apprehensively waiting my AS results. I wanted to examine the pressure that young people are put under due to the examination process. Although most of filming spaces would be achieveable as would mainly be in my own school this was never truly plausible as results come out before school term starts.
Class
Groups
-Upper class/middle class family
-Primarily Abigail’s family
Spaces
-Abigail’s house
Visual symbols
-Family style portrait
-Quills
Sounds
-Classical music
-Piano (Abigail playing)
This idea was based upon my friend’s unusual family who came from upper class background, however now live in state of poverty. As based on someone I knew all access would be very easily gotten. However as I am good friends with her I think I would be too personally involved and the documentary may become biased. This idea would have also needed a lot of commitment from my teachers and having good access to equipment as the family live very far from school.
Disability in the workplace
Groups
-People with disabilities and their helpers
-Employer and businesses
-Charity workers/ organisers
Spaces
-Businesses along Lordship Lane
-The Plough pub- his place of work
Visual symbols
-Close ups of hands
-Shots in interview not focused on face
-Closed shutter shots of pub- time lapse?
Sounds
-Silent?
-Voice over- if so who’s voice
-Classical? Graceful
Gaining filming permission shouldn’t be too problematic as I intend to film where I work. However I would also need permission from the organisation that work with john which may be more complicated. The shots that I intend to take are all rather straight forward as I want to show john in his working environment, its also important that they correspond with the speech from interview.
In the end I decided that I wanted to go forward with “disability in the workplace: A workers profile” as I am strongly interested in the related issues. The filming should be accessible and easy to complete within the time period given. I feel that the theme gives me room to explore and experiment with filming and documentary styles.
Now I need to further think about how I wish to construct the documentary thus which genre and style I will want to achieve. The style of documentary determines which channel it would be most suited to therefore will outline my institutional research.
Changing Southbank
Groups
-People involved in the London film festival
-Members of the Tate and other cultural institutions
-BFI employee- Alisha
-Londoners who enjoy the Southbank space.
Spaces
-BFI
-Tate
-Areas along the river (Royal Festival Hall)
-London eye
Visual symbols
-iconic buildings
-Southbank landscape
-clips from Southbank archive
Sounds
-Talking
-Music (composed)
-Theatre (clapping)
-Traffic
I would have access to the people needed in this documentary due to the work I did with the BFI during the summer. However gaining filming permission for the Southbank can be problematic as I would need to go through the local council. Therefore I have decided that this idea will need too much organisation and would result in me needing large amount of limited resources and teacher’s time thus is not fair to other students.
Out to play
Groups
-Parents
-Children
-‘playground community’
Spaces
-Schools
-Dulwich Park
-interviewee’s home/street
Visual symbols
-playground structures
-low shutter speed shots of children playing
-tracking shot of child’s hand running along railings
Southbank archives
Sounds
-playground noises
-children laughing
-ice cream van
-Old nursery rhymes
I was initially really interested in this idea as “out to play” highlight how different it is to grow up in today’s society and it would be interesting to explore why this may be. All the spaces and people should all be reasonably accessible as I know several parents of young children and there is a very family orientated park near where I live. Although I would need to consider how I would arrange this as I live quite far from school. Therefore my filming would need to be completed on the weekends, so I would need my teacher’s commitment. If I was to go ahead with this documentary the sound would be crucial to the over affect and I could either use diagetic sound from the park (however may not be very good quality due to the camera’s we have access to) or I can download sound affects from website: In the end I have chosen not to progress with this idea as I was ultimately more interested in another theme.
Exams
Groups
-A level students
-Primary school students
-Teachers
-Parents
Spaces
-My school
-Primary school
-Interviewee’s house
Visual symbols
-Exam papers
-Children playing
-Clock
Sounds
-School bells
-Clock ticking
-People talking
I came up with this idea over the summer while I myself was apprehensively waiting my AS results. I wanted to examine the pressure that young people are put under due to the examination process. Although most of filming spaces would be achieveable as would mainly be in my own school this was never truly plausible as results come out before school term starts.
Class
Groups
-Upper class/middle class family
-Primarily Abigail’s family
Spaces
-Abigail’s house
Visual symbols
-Family style portrait
-Quills
Sounds
-Classical music
-Piano (Abigail playing)
This idea was based upon my friend’s unusual family who came from upper class background, however now live in state of poverty. As based on someone I knew all access would be very easily gotten. However as I am good friends with her I think I would be too personally involved and the documentary may become biased. This idea would have also needed a lot of commitment from my teachers and having good access to equipment as the family live very far from school.
Disability in the workplace
Groups
-People with disabilities and their helpers
-Employer and businesses
-Charity workers/ organisers
Spaces
-Businesses along Lordship Lane
-The Plough pub- his place of work
Visual symbols
-Close ups of hands
-Shots in interview not focused on face
-Closed shutter shots of pub- time lapse?
Sounds
-Silent?
-Voice over- if so who’s voice
-Classical? Graceful
Gaining filming permission shouldn’t be too problematic as I intend to film where I work. However I would also need permission from the organisation that work with john which may be more complicated. The shots that I intend to take are all rather straight forward as I want to show john in his working environment, its also important that they correspond with the speech from interview.
In the end I decided that I wanted to go forward with “disability in the workplace: A workers profile” as I am strongly interested in the related issues. The filming should be accessible and easy to complete within the time period given. I feel that the theme gives me room to explore and experiment with filming and documentary styles.
Now I need to further think about how I wish to construct the documentary thus which genre and style I will want to achieve. The style of documentary determines which channel it would be most suited to therefore will outline my institutional research.
Intial doccumentary ideas and influences
Changing Southbank-
-Examine how the landscape of the river has transformed, looking at this now thriving and iconic setting.
-Interesting as is the centre of the London’s media scene (BFI)
Influenced by Jaques Brunius’s “Brief City” (1951) which documents a very different Southbank that is desolate and abandoned. The documentary is in Black and white and employs generic documentary feature such as voice over. There doesn’t seem to be any reconstruction in the documentary and the editing comprises of simple cuts. Although the techniques used are still used alone they seem rather dated therefore I wouldn’t use them like this in my own documentary. I would want mine to be an update of Southbank’s activity.
Out to play-
- This will focus on the culture that children now grow up in compared to their parents childhoods
- Aim to highlight and question the fears of parents
- Focus on the ‘playground community’
This idea was influenced by a documentary I watched- “Out to Play” 1936- in the BFI’S media tech which is an archive of thousands of movies from all genres. Although “out to play” was filmed in black and white using very simple shots and documentary conventions what was being documented caught my attention. The documentary was showing the life of young children, London was their playground and sanctuary. There weren’t any reconstruction shots meaning that it was probably filmed over a long period of time, which wouldn’t be relevant to me as I have small time period. This completely contrasted my experience with growing up in London as I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere by myself until I was at least 11. However I did have a taste of this freedom when I went to Ireland to visit family and I would be allowed out to play on the green and go out with my cousins. So I grew up with a mix of these cultures and I thought it would be interesting to look at parents views of how their childhoods contrast with their children’s or if they did at all.
Exams-
- I want to examine the pressures that public exams but on young people today.
- It would aim to highlight the voice of the people sitting the exams rather than the people who makes the laws.
- Also wish to look at the effect exams have throughout ages, meaning that I would want to interview range of students.
I didn’t watch any documentaries about this issue in order to influence me. Instead it was my own anticipation of my forthcoming results which spurred the idea. Although I am aware that several documentaries surrounding the question of public exams, I knew that this idea wasn’t truly possible as results come out in the summer therefore I would have access to resources.
Class: upper class family in poverty
- I wanted to document the life of a family who come from wealthy background however now finds themselves living in poverty.
- I aimed to subvert some people initial views of people who appear to be upper class.
- I wanted to illustrate that the social boundaries are becoming more and more blurred.
- I think the documentary should address prejudices and stereotypes.
I was strongly influenced by a channel 4 documentary called “The f**cking Fulfords” which followed the life of an upper class family. The documentary showed this family who lived in large Aristotle estate that was crumpling away. Many voice bridges were used between the interviewee and the corresponding images on the screen, I found this worked well as made what was being said more interesting. The images also reinforced what the audience was hearing. This is something I would like to employ in my own documentary.
Disability in the workplace: a workers profile
- Want to question and subvert the prejudices surrounding disability in the workplace.
- I aim to illustrate the worker and not the disability
- I want to get a view of an employer on the disability rights act
During the summer while on my BFI course one of the mentors- Edward Owles- showed one of his documentaries he had made about ‘deaf dj’s’ It created a window into the deaf community and more specifically the deaf raving community. The documentary had a voice over and sound bridges that were of the voice of participants and not documentary maker. This gave the documentary a truthful feels as the voice of the participants was clear; I would like my documentary to also achieve this as I do not want ,voice to shadow the issue I am documenting.
-Examine how the landscape of the river has transformed, looking at this now thriving and iconic setting.
-Interesting as is the centre of the London’s media scene (BFI)
Influenced by Jaques Brunius’s “Brief City” (1951) which documents a very different Southbank that is desolate and abandoned. The documentary is in Black and white and employs generic documentary feature such as voice over. There doesn’t seem to be any reconstruction in the documentary and the editing comprises of simple cuts. Although the techniques used are still used alone they seem rather dated therefore I wouldn’t use them like this in my own documentary. I would want mine to be an update of Southbank’s activity.
Out to play-
- This will focus on the culture that children now grow up in compared to their parents childhoods
- Aim to highlight and question the fears of parents
- Focus on the ‘playground community’
This idea was influenced by a documentary I watched- “Out to Play” 1936- in the BFI’S media tech which is an archive of thousands of movies from all genres. Although “out to play” was filmed in black and white using very simple shots and documentary conventions what was being documented caught my attention. The documentary was showing the life of young children, London was their playground and sanctuary. There weren’t any reconstruction shots meaning that it was probably filmed over a long period of time, which wouldn’t be relevant to me as I have small time period. This completely contrasted my experience with growing up in London as I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere by myself until I was at least 11. However I did have a taste of this freedom when I went to Ireland to visit family and I would be allowed out to play on the green and go out with my cousins. So I grew up with a mix of these cultures and I thought it would be interesting to look at parents views of how their childhoods contrast with their children’s or if they did at all.
Exams-
- I want to examine the pressures that public exams but on young people today.
- It would aim to highlight the voice of the people sitting the exams rather than the people who makes the laws.
- Also wish to look at the effect exams have throughout ages, meaning that I would want to interview range of students.
I didn’t watch any documentaries about this issue in order to influence me. Instead it was my own anticipation of my forthcoming results which spurred the idea. Although I am aware that several documentaries surrounding the question of public exams, I knew that this idea wasn’t truly possible as results come out in the summer therefore I would have access to resources.
Class: upper class family in poverty
- I wanted to document the life of a family who come from wealthy background however now finds themselves living in poverty.
- I aimed to subvert some people initial views of people who appear to be upper class.
- I wanted to illustrate that the social boundaries are becoming more and more blurred.
- I think the documentary should address prejudices and stereotypes.
I was strongly influenced by a channel 4 documentary called “The f**cking Fulfords” which followed the life of an upper class family. The documentary showed this family who lived in large Aristotle estate that was crumpling away. Many voice bridges were used between the interviewee and the corresponding images on the screen, I found this worked well as made what was being said more interesting. The images also reinforced what the audience was hearing. This is something I would like to employ in my own documentary.
Disability in the workplace: a workers profile
- Want to question and subvert the prejudices surrounding disability in the workplace.
- I aim to illustrate the worker and not the disability
- I want to get a view of an employer on the disability rights act
During the summer while on my BFI course one of the mentors- Edward Owles- showed one of his documentaries he had made about ‘deaf dj’s’ It created a window into the deaf community and more specifically the deaf raving community. The documentary had a voice over and sound bridges that were of the voice of participants and not documentary maker. This gave the documentary a truthful feels as the voice of the participants was clear; I would like my documentary to also achieve this as I do not want ,voice to shadow the issue I am documenting.
Audience research- second questionaire and focus group
Advanced Production Questionnaire- Disability in the workplace
When do you think the Disability Rights Act was passed?
1950’s
1960’s
1970’s
1980’s
1990’s
Since 2000
Do you think that Disabled people should be given the right to be employed?
Yes
No
Explain why
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you believe that people with disabilities are employable?
Yes
No
Explain why
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you think the legal duty employers have to their employees with disabilities?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is your occupation?
________________________________________________________________
Do you work along side anyone with Disablity?
Yes
No
In your opinion how well do they fulfil this position?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you think the rights of people with disabilities are important?
Yes
No
Explain why
_____________________________________________________________________
When do you think the Disability Rights Act was passed?
1950’s
1960’s
1970’s
1980’s
1990’s
Since 2000
Do you think that Disabled people should be given the right to be employed?
Yes
No
Explain why
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you believe that people with disabilities are employable?
Yes
No
Explain why
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you think the legal duty employers have to their employees with disabilities?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is your occupation?
________________________________________________________________
Do you work along side anyone with Disablity?
Yes
No
In your opinion how well do they fulfil this position?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you think the rights of people with disabilities are important?
Yes
No
Explain why
_____________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Audience reserach- results
UPLOAD IMAGES OF RESULTS!
Fourteen out of twenty people said that channel four was their preferred channel. This was an interesting result as I didn’t give the participants options but left it blank for them to identify their favourite. As my target audience mostly watch channel four I should aim to create a documentary that would be suitable for this institution.
However only six people out of twenty actually said that documentaries were their favoured genre. They were more likely to watch dramas or comedies so perhaps it would be possible to touch on some of their conventions to appeal to my audience. But this could be problematic, as my target audience don’t particularly like this genre; therefore I should try to aim for a time slot that they would be likely to watch. This may encourage them to watch as it’s convenient. It also crucial that the documentary is based on a topic that would interest them in order to encourage them to watch.
Only one person, out of twenty, said directly that they didn’t actually like documentaries. This is good as shows that although not favoured they do all watch documentaries.
The majority of the participants said that they preferred ‘real life’ documentaries. However this isn’t a conceivable style for me to attempt due to the time restrictions and limit on resources. I would have a large enough time period and access to equipment as have to share with other students to create a successful real time documentary. Alternatively I would create a window into real person’s life or way of living, which would be classed as an ethnographic film.
All participants identified the function of a documentary was to either give insight into a persons life or highlight key social issues. I would hope to have an idea that would aim to achieve both.
Fourteen out of twenty people said that channel four was their preferred channel. This was an interesting result as I didn’t give the participants options but left it blank for them to identify their favourite. As my target audience mostly watch channel four I should aim to create a documentary that would be suitable for this institution.
However only six people out of twenty actually said that documentaries were their favoured genre. They were more likely to watch dramas or comedies so perhaps it would be possible to touch on some of their conventions to appeal to my audience. But this could be problematic, as my target audience don’t particularly like this genre; therefore I should try to aim for a time slot that they would be likely to watch. This may encourage them to watch as it’s convenient. It also crucial that the documentary is based on a topic that would interest them in order to encourage them to watch.
Only one person, out of twenty, said directly that they didn’t actually like documentaries. This is good as shows that although not favoured they do all watch documentaries.
The majority of the participants said that they preferred ‘real life’ documentaries. However this isn’t a conceivable style for me to attempt due to the time restrictions and limit on resources. I would have a large enough time period and access to equipment as have to share with other students to create a successful real time documentary. Alternatively I would create a window into real person’s life or way of living, which would be classed as an ethnographic film.
All participants identified the function of a documentary was to either give insight into a persons life or highlight key social issues. I would hope to have an idea that would aim to achieve both.
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