Practical production research 1,2 and 3

1) 'Dying to be thin’

Written, Produced, and Directed by Larkin McPhee

Target audience: Are women 12 -30 years old. The age range for this target audience is extremely large but is justified. The documentary ‘Dying to be thin’ includes examples of anorexia from all ages covered in the target audience age range. For instance, it is stated that anorexia can start as soon as puberty and also shows archive footage of a dancer who died from the disorder at 32 years of age. The documentary aims to create awareness of the disease to women of the above age group as well as to offer support to its victims. I think that the documentary has a secondary target audience of adults (parents) who are provided with information on the disease and how to cope with it. Also a moral panic is created through archive footage and real life examples which immediately grabs both audiences.

I would expect to see the documentary ‘Dying to be thin’ on BBC 1 (a public service broadcaster) as it successfully persuades, educates and informs its target audiences on the subject of Anorexia. I feel that there is a strong likeliness of this documentary to ‘Panorama’ documentaries which are shown after the news on BBC1 which is a further reason for my conclusion on where this documentary would be viewed. Additionally, I think that the documentary should definitely be shown after the watershed due to the sensitivity of the issue involved and its images.

The documentary includes distinctive shots such as shots where the camera appears to be placed in a corner on the floor. I think that this type of shot was extremely effective as it made it look like the camera wasn’t even there which was like a fly on the wall type convention. Also, I found this shot interesting as it looked unique. Other typical conventions that the documentary uses is expert analysis and interviews, statistics and visual medical information, interviews and recounts with victims and a variety of archive footage. The documentary also uses contrapuntal diagetic music were appropriate to create the desired effect of sympathy and reflection.

We had already decided to use a female voiceover in our documentary in order to directly appeal to our target audience. The use of a female voiceover in this documentary has further enforced our idea to use this convention due to its evidently great impact. Additionally, we were also planning to use an expert in our documentary but were not completely sure about how we were going to present it. By viewing this documentary, we now have more ideas as we have the option to have our expert’s voice running over footage before he/she is introduced. I think this is a good idea to use as it is an effective way of enforcing the expert’s message by forcing the audience to focus on their voice. Also, it creates slight tension as the audience waits to see the face of the voice. A further element which I would like to appropriate in our documentary is the low angle corner shot, (when the camera looks like its lying on the floor). I think that we could possibly use this when one of our characters is walking (showing their feet). Other things that I noticed about this documentary (and would like to possibly include in my production are) the use of questions as the documentary progresses (to involve the reader as well as steer a clear line of argument). And the way in which the documentary is split into different phases but still has a few recurring scenes and ideas to maintain interest.

2) ‘A day in the life of a teenager’

Documentary produced by ‘Greg’ an AS media student. (Uploaded on ‘Youtube’ on March 2006)

Judging on what the voiceover says in the very beginning of the documentary, I think that the original intention of the documentary maker was to educate adults on what it is really like to be a teenager. However, the final result of the documentary in terms of editing, music and content steers more towards a teenage audience.

I would expect this documentary to be shown on ‘Channel 4’ primarily due to its content as most teenagers watch ‘Channel 4’ documentaries. Also, it is the institution that is shown at the very beginning of the documentary. I’d expect this documentary to be shown after the watershed as some scenes are impressionable to young children such as the drinking scenes.

Shakey hand held camerawork is used to create a sense of authenticity, specifically highlighting the fact that this text is a documentary. Also uses lots of point of view shots which seem really effective in the documentary by allowing the audience to identify with the character. It uses parallel diagetic and non diagetic music to create desired effects. Indie music is used to appeal to the target audience of teenagers who like that genre of music.

The elements which I would like to appropriate for our production are:
The walking scene where shots of the boy’s feet (from a point of view shot) are contrasted with long /medium shot filming of the boy walking. I thought that this was a good technique as it made it look interesting. A further element which I thought was quite effective was the point of view shots as a whole. Also, I’d like to possibly incorporate spilt screens into the documentary in order to show contrasts as well as maintain visual interest.

3) 'Paedophilia in the catholic church'

This documentary is not of the highest standards as it has been uploaded on to ‘You Tube’ be just a member of the public (lacking professionalism). The date that it was made is not known however, it was uploaded in December ’06.

In this documentary I think that the original target audience was supposed to be young boys as it states “Beware boys”. However, the content and moral panic created would be far to distressing for a child audience as a result I believe that the target audience is adults.

The documentary aims to warn adults about the issue of paedophilia in the church. I would expect to see this documentary on BBC 1 as it tries to strongly inform and persuade the target audience. Also, it covers an extremely sensitive and serious issue. Additionally, I would expect the documentary to be shown after the watershed due to the sensitivity of the issue and its inappropriateness for young viewers.

The documentary incorporates a great amount of archive footage of priests, victims and news clips which it uses to successfully create a moral panic amongst the target audience. Shaky hand held camera shots are also consistently used which applies to a major documentary convention through the sense of authenticity that is created. Parallel non diagetic music is used when still images are shown in order to heighten the message of the documentary by creating an eerie effect.

The elements which I would like to possibly appropriate for my production is the shaky hand held camera shots which add authenticity. Also try to imitate the impact of the archive footage had in creating a moral panic within our own documentary. The documentary also uses statistics when archive footage is shown which would be a good thing to put in our production as it provides evidence for the target audience.

-Rohini