Assignment 17
- 1. Assignment 17: Similar Products & Conventions Topic: ‘Have video games evolved for the better or the worse’ Pamela Younes Jodie Foster-Pilia Abigail Menzies Laura Cuk
- 2. Similar Products (docs I watched)
- 3. Abigail Menzies Similar Products (Docs I watched) Name of documentary TV or Film Genre & Mode How much watched Where watched Date What I learnt from this documentary that I can apply to my own Last days of Left Eye Film Expository mode All of it YouTube August Use of handheld cameras inside of tripods to maintain realism Marley Film Observational mode All of it DVD August Volume control is used so the background music is faintly heard during a interview My tattoo addiction TV Observational mode All of it 4oD September Zooming in on archival photos (ken burns) so the audience focuses on something in particular
- 4. Abigail Menzies Similar Products (Docs I watched) One mile way Film Performative mode All of it YouTube July Use of titles are to introduce the interviewee’s name and role/job Food Matter Film Observational mode 30 mins Netflix August Natural lighting is used instead of artificial lighting to maintain a sense of realism Addicted to pleasureSugar TV Participatory mode 15 mins BBC iplayer September The presenter takes part in experiments and interacts with his subjects Wal-Mart: the high cost of a low price Film Observational Mode All of it Netflix September Statistics are presented in bold text alongside a voiceover that reads what is on the screen Good Hair Film Perfomative Mode All of it Online movie website August The presenter interviews a variety of people from different ages and ethnicities so he has a range of opinions
- 5. Abigail Menzies Similar Products (Docs I watched) Fastest man who ever lived: Usain Bolt Film Participatory Mode All of it YouTube August In the beginning there is a montage of interviews from different people answering the same question Too Poor for posh school Film Observational Mode 30 mins Netflix August Expert interviews are con ducted in a professional setting e.g. their office Human Swarm TV Participatory Mode All of it 4oD July Variety of visuals are used with cutaways Biggie & Tupac Film Observational Mode All of it Netflix July Use of establishing shots to show the different locations My big fat gypsy wedding Film Observational Mode All of it Netflix October Use of cutaways during interviews so the interviewee aren't on the screen for long Catfish TV Reflexive Mode All of it TV and online movie website August Extreme close up shots are used so audience can read emails, text messages et.
- 6. Similar products (docs I've watched) Name of doc TV or Film Genre and mode How much watch ed Where/how watched? Date What did I learn from watching documentary that I could apply to mine. Branded a which TV Participatory mode 1 Television at home August That public interviews are very important, as they are not planned and give a real insight to a situation Britain's Fattest man TV Expository mode 1 Television a home May Many different shot such as close-ups/extreme close-ups should be us when someone is talking(doesn’t become boring) Food unwrapped TV Participatory mode 2 school, and television at home August Statistics are very useful for a documentary to become informative. The man with the 10 stone testicles TV Expository mode 1 Television at home September Extreme close-ups should be used to give audience more information The Human swarm TV Participatory mode 1 School August Time lapsing should be used to show time passing, this is visually effective.
- 7. Name of doc TV or Film Genre and mode How much watch ed Where/how watched? Date What did I learn from watching documentary that I could apply to mine. Catfish TV Participatory mode 6 Television at home or on computer Oct/Nov Handheld camera movement is important in order that it has that documentary feel, and seems realistic. The boy who's skin fell off TV Expository mode 1 Computer at home May Incidental Music should be used to set mood. Africa TV Expository mode 3 Television at home October If music is applied when there is a voiceover, the music should be significantly lower, so voiceover is clear. koyaanisquatsi Film Poetic mode 1 School May Sometimes footage should be shown in silence so audience can interpret things for themselves, without being told. Lady boys TV Participatory mode 2 Television at home September Expert interviews are most definitely needed as they are highly influential
- 8. Name of doc TV or Film Genre and mode How much watch ed Where/how watched? Date What did I learn from watching documentary that I could apply to mine. The iceman TV Participatory mode 1 Television at home April Scientific evidence is always significant in a documentary, as it is greatly influential. Supersize me Film Participatory mode 1 Television at home July Doing experiments as a presenter, helps to keep the documentary fun Peter Andre My life TV Participatory mode 10 school, and television at home Sept/Oct There are always establishing shots used to show were peter Andre is, this orientates audience. Riots from wrong TV Participatory 1 school July Archival footage is good for use of evidence. Turtle boy TV Expository 1 Television at home January Expert interviews are more believable if they are filmed in there professional environment, i.e. surgeon in hospital
- 9. Name of doc TV or Film Genre and mode How much watch ed Where/how watched? Date What did I learn from watching documentary that I could apply to mine. The boy who's face fell of TV Expository mode 1 Television at home January Sound bridging to ensure audience aren't just looking at someone talk to camera for long
- 10. Similar Products Pamela Younes NAME OF DOCUMENTARY TV or FILM GENRE & MODE HOW MUCH WATCHED WHERE/HOW WATCHED DATE What did you learn from this documentary that you could apply to your documentary 1. Sicko film Participatory 1 school May 13 Case studies 2. My big fat gypsy wedding TV Performative & Expository 5+ Home 11/12 Theme 3. Catfish TV Reflexive 1 Home 2013 Realism
- 11. Similar Products Pamela Younes NAME OF DOCUMENTARY TV or FILM GENRE & MODE HOW MUCH WATCHED WHERE/HOW WATCHED DATE What did you learn from this documentary that you could apply to your documentary 4. Riot from wrong Film Participatory 1 iPad 2013 Footage 5. Catfish TV Participatory 6 Home 2013 Realism 6. The boy who's skin fell off Film Participatory 1 Home 2013 Sub topics
- 12. Similar Products Pamela Younes NAME OF DOCUMENTARY TV or FILM GENRE & MODE HOW MUCH WATCHED WHERE/HOW WATCHED DATE What did you learn from this documentary that you could apply to your documentary 7. Seven dwarves: the wedding Film Participatory 1 Home 2013 Interviewing 8. Thelma's gypsy girls TV Performative & Expository 5+ Home 2013 The message behind this documentary 9. 9/11 the lost tapes, 10th anniversary, falling man, children of 9/11 Film Participatory 1 Home 2013 Interviewing/case studies
- 13. Similar Products Pamela Younes NAME OF DOCUMENTARY TV or FILM GENRE & MODE HOW MUCH WATCHED WHERE/HOW WATCHED DATE What did you learn from this documentary that you could apply to your documentary 10. 16 kids and counting Film Participatory 1 Home 2013 Message behind this documentary 11. 15 kids and counting TV Participatory 3 Home 2013 Footage 12. The Human Mannequin Film Participatory & Expository 1 Home 2013 Sense of realism
- 14. Similar Products Pamela Younes NAME OF DOCUMENTARY TV or FILM GENRE & MODE HOW MUCH WATCHED WHERE/HOW WATCHED DATE What did you learn from this documentary that you could apply to your documentary 13. 999 what's your emergency TV Participatry & Performative 4 Home 2013 Case studies 14. Educating Essex TV Participatory 3 Home 2013 Interviewing 15. The queens mother In law Film Expository 1 Home 2013 Montage photography
- 15. Similar Products Pamela Younes NAME OF DOCUMENTARY TV or FILM GENRE & MODE HOW MUCH WATCHED WHERE/HOW WATCHED DATE What did you learn from this documentary that you could apply to your documentary 16. The three day nanny TV Performative 1 Home 2013 Case study
- 16. Similar products & conventions Laura Name of documentary TV or Film Genre & Mode How much you watched Where/how watched 1. Attenborough's Ark Film Nature & Ecology All of it Plane 2. Shelter Me Film Social & Cultural 30 minutes Netflix 3. Supersize Me Film 45 minutes Netflix 4. Food, Inc. Film Criticallyacclaimed 30 minutes Netflix 5. The Blue Planet TV Series Nature & Ecology 48 minutes – episode 1 Netflix 6. Indie Game Film Social & Cultural 43 minutes Netflix 7. We Are Legion Film Political 20 minutes Netflix 8. X Games: The Movie Film Social & Cultural 50 minutes Netflix
- 17. Similar products & conventions Laura Name of documentary TV or Film Genre & Mode How much you watched Where/how watched 9. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey Film Social & Cultural All of it Netflix 10. The Crimson Wing Film Nature & Ecology 30 minutes Netflix 11. Tom Dowd & the Language of Music Film Critically acclaimed 30 minutes Netflix 12. Catfish Film 1 h 27 minutes School & Netflix 13. Bowling for Columbine Film 1 h 59 minutes Netflix 14. The Boy whose skin fell off TV Series 15. Life TV Series 16. Riot from Wrong Film Critically acclaimed LoveFilm Nature & Ecology All of it LoveFilm All of it School
- 18. Inspiration from Similar Products
- 19. Abigail Menzies Inspiration from Similar Products (The Presenter) Conducts his interviews in a natural setting for e.g.. a lab The presenter is participative throughout this documentary and takes part in various experiment Documentary: Good Hair The presenter interacts with his subjects and asks open questions so the expert can answer in depth
- 20. Abigail Menzies Inspiration from Similar Products (Titles and Credits) Use of titles and credits to Introduce the presenters and filming crew Name of the person is in bold so it stands out Titles boxes are similar to social networking chat boxes this relates to the topic of the documentary USE OF TITLES Documentary: Catfish
- 21. Abigail Menzies Statistics are presented in white, bold writing that is easy and clear to read Inspiration from Similar Products (Statistics) Statistics are supported by a voiceover Background is slightly blurred so it doesn’t distract the audience from the text Documentary: Wal-Mart: High Cost Of Low Prices
- 22. Abigail Menzies Inspiration from Similar Products (Expert Interviews) Done at a mid shot so the audience focuses on the expert rather than the background Name of expert is set at slightly bigger font than his job title Documentary: Food Matter Simple font and graphic background so the white writing stands out
- 23. Inspiration from similar products Presenter Happy, Fun, bubby presenter keeps audience engaged Camera Movement Always breaks diegesis and looks at camera, ensuring audience feel involved Inter titles Inter titles used to show who a person is. Black text is placed on white background so its clear to read Documentary: Catfish Fairly small, not distracting Handheld camera movement portrays a feel of reality and also ensure it is more documentary-like
- 24. Inspiration From Similar Products Pamela Younes He would solve the relationship between the Facebook user and the person on the other side Recording their video chat to see if the Facebook account user account Documentary: Catfish the TV show 2013 They show that they are editing
- 25. Inspiration From Similar Products Pamela Younes Depends what the crime is and the police and the fighter fighter comes Documentary: 999 What’s the emergency? 2013 The action that happened and the problem caused makes it more interesting to watch to see if it would be solved There case study’s make the documentary more intriguing
- 26. Inspiration From Similar Products Pamela Younes The font of the title makes it seem happy, exciting and girly, which gives an idea to the audience what the documentary would be about The theme is continuous on all the episodes on this documentary Around the title it has a crown and bit of material which represents the bride, s the dress is the most important thing Documentary: Big fat gypsy wedding 2011
- 27. Inspiration from similar products • Attenborough’s Ark Mode Theory: David Attenborough is both participatory and expository. Mid shots: Mid shot is used to show the framing of the character.
- 28. Inspiration from similar products • Crimson Wing Titles: Titles/captions were white and then changed to the colour white then faded to black.
- 29. Inspiration from similar products • Crimson Wing Transitions: The transition used in this clip was fade to black
- 30. Conventions of Documentaries Individual & group
- 31. Abigail Menzies Conventions of Documentaries Conventions Example from a documentary Non- linear narrative structure •‘Food Matters’ isn’t structured in order, instead the filmmaker edits this documentary so only certain parts of the experts interviews are shown when it relates to the subtopic Modern topics •‘Food Unwrapped’ explores how the food we eat are processed and are unhealthy, this is relevant as in contemporary society people are concerned about what they eat Background music •Non-diegetic background music is used in ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’ to set the appropriate mood Archival photos and footage •‘Good Hair’ uses archival photos and footage to support what is being said in the voiceover Archival photo Archival footage of the presenter and his daughter
- 32. Conventions of documentaries Conventions Example of Documentary Montage Editing (editing)is used in intro to create suspense as audience want to find out what it’s about Catfish Time lapsing (editing) is used to show time passing The human swarm Transitions (editing)used to distinguish when documentary is going on a break. Britain's fattest man Rule of thirds(CAMSAM),the boy is placed on left side of screen indicating that he feels quite distressed The boy who’s skin fell of Close-ups/extreme close-ups (CAMSAM) used to reveal greater detail to audience The man with the 10 stone testicles Establishing shots (CAMSAM) used to orientate the audience perhaps showing where an interview is. Branded a witch Expert interview is seen to be where they are most comfortable (location) Surgeon was shown in a hospital. Turtle boy
- 33. Conventions of a Documentary Pamela Younes Conventions Example from a documentary Statistics Supersize me uses statistics where it explains the amount of people that eat the food. Also shows statistics through animations where they can make the statistics easier to remember Narrator In my big fat gypsy wedding; cannot show a screen grab because I cannot show the narrator. Its when the narrator asks Thelma about her job and making the dresses. The narrator is unseen; behind the camera Presenter Catfish uses a presenter where Nev presents the show by talking about the relationships, what they are about to do, and what happens after they met (if they go there separate ways)
- 34. Conventions of documentaries Laura Conventions Example from documentary (bullet points or image) Conventions of mode theory Attenborough’s Ark Conventions of social actors Bowling for Columbine Conventions of titles/captions Crimson Wing
- 35. Similar products & their conventions
- 36. Who is doing what documentaries? Name Documentaries Pamela Younes • Catfish • 999 what’s the emergency? • My big fat gypsy wedding Jodie Foster-Pilia • Branded a witch • Africa • Riot from wrong Abigail Menzies • Good Hair • Human Swarm Laura Cuk
- 37. Abigail Menzies Similar products & their conventions Convention Use Public Interviews Develop Challenge Explanation This convention is developed as some public interviews are done in the usual way in public natural settings e.g. a barbershop, however others are done in a professional studio X Done in conventional natural setting Done in nonconventional staged setting Statistics Documentary: Good Hair X This convention is challenged as statistics are not presented on screen so its viewable to the audience but it is said by the presenter
- 38. Abigail Menzies Similar products & their conventions Convention Use Develop Challenge Explanation Time lapse (editing) X This convention is used in various ways to speed up the process of things as well as to slow it down Experiments X This convention is used and is done by the presenter, who participants in different experiments to support his topic Presenter takes part in range of experiments Cutaways X This convention is usually used when an expert has a lengthy response, so the scene cuts to different visuals that relate to what is being said in the voiceover of the expert Documentary: The Human Swarm
- 39. Similar products and their conventions Branded a witch Convention Use Develop challenge Explanation Case studies Their is one main case study which is focussed on in this documentary. It is interesting to see how the case studies develop Archival photographs Archival photos are used to give audience insight into past Inter titles These are used to introduce a particular person to audience.
- 40. Africa Convention Use Develop challenge Explanation Voiceover A continuous voiceover is used to describe exactly what is happening in the documentary Incidental music Incidental music is used in Closeups/extreme close-ups Close-ups are used in this documentary to reveal more to audience as it shows footage in greater detail this documentary to set mood, whether it is a calming (slow pace)or aggressive(fast pace)
- 41. Riot from wrong Convention Use Develop challenge Explanation Cutaways In this documentary, cutaways are used to refer back to archival footage. Handheld camera movement Handheld camera movements is used to give a sense of reality. Expert interviews Expert interviews are used to ensure documentary is more informative and perhaps influential
- 42. Similar Products & their conventions Pamela Younes – Green Level Conventions Use Develop Challenge Explanations Statistics Catfish challenges statistics, as there is nothing to point a fact about as he is just solving the person who is at the other end of the facebook chat Narrator Challenges it, as there is no need for a narrator as there is a presenter throughout the whole documentary Presenter Documentary: Catfish the TV show 2013 Always present, even when video chatting, recording or even editing
- 43. Similar Products & their conventions Pamela Younes – Green Level Conventions Use Statistics Narrator Presenter Develop Challenge Explanations They do not use statistics in this episode Narrator was present throughout the whole documentary where they would explain the situation in the background There was no presenter used Documentary: 999 What’s the emergency? 2013
- 44. Similar Products & their conventions Pamela Younes – Green Level Conventions Use Statistics Narrator Presenter Develop Challenge Explanations They develop this as they give a percentage when compared with gypsys in different parts of England, such as as comparing them if they are still traditional There's a narrator when they would ask Thelma questions about gypsys and her dresses she designs and the narrator asks the brides to be and husbands Documentary: Big fat gypsy wedding 2011 They develop it has there is also a narrator but Thelma acts like a presenter as she talks to the camera and tells the audience where she is going and what she's doing
- 45. Similar products and their conventions Laura - Green level Conventions 1. Social actors Use . Develop Challenge . Explanation Use – we will be using the convention of public interviews. Challenge – this convention will be challenged because we may not get an expert to interview. 2. Mode theory . Use – expository mode will be used at the beginning Use – participatory mode will be used when filming the presenter in certain locations or when doing interviews. 3. Titles/captions . Use – we will use this convention when we introduce the presenter etc. Also this convention will be used to introduce the interviewees.
- 46. Your product (documentary) & conventions
- 47. Conventions in our documentary Conventions we want to apply Where in documentary Use /develop/challenge Inspirational documentary Voiceover When we are explaining our archival footage of people playing videogames use Africa cutaways To show supporting archival footage (i.e. super nannies experiment on video games) use Riot from wrong Handheld footage For public interviews, may have to be done quick. use Catfish Composition Expert interviews, think about the placement. use The boy who's skin fell of Close-ups When showing the covers of video games, or when someone is talking use Britain's fattest man Expert interviews When we want to ask a sociologist about the effect of video games use Branded a witch