In order to gain ideas on how to create a professional and effective documentary I have deconstructed 3 existing documentaries. From this I have been able to decide what works effectively, and therefore I will include in my own, and elements which I don't feel worked as well.
Firstly, I deconstructed the documentary 'Born To Ride' as it is based upon the same topic as my documentary will be.
SOUND
- Although there is an independent narrator, some parts of the documentary are narrated by the cast themselves. As they are talking/telling a story, the camera is showing the audience something other than the face of the person talking. This narration from cast members is also used at the very beginning, although the camera is showing the face of the person that is talking, it is just showing them smiling rather than an interview format. I am definitely going to consider using this when first introducing my main cast member at the beginning of my documentary.
- Quite often throughout the documentary you don't hear the interviewer asking the questions, just the interviewees responses. As well as this, the interviewee may repeat the question and this is something I have also noticed when watching documentaries in the past. Due to this, this may be a convention I would have to include in order to make my documentary appear professional and realistic.
- Background music has been used effectively in the sense that the same tune is used each time shots of them riding are shown. I believe this creates a sense of structure and familiarity with the audience and holds the documentary together. Prior to this I was unaware of how important my choice and use of music would be however I am now aware that this is something I am going to have to decide upon with great care and consideration.
- The most common sound throughout the documentary is motorbike engines. This is something which would be of interest to the audience however I will have to ensure the volume is appropriate as in the above documentary people are talking over the engine noises and you can hear them speak clearly. I would like to be able to create the same effect without drowning out their voices.
CAMERA SHOTS/ANGLES & EDITING
- An establishing shot was used at the beginning and at each change of setting to introduce the scene. I believe this is important so the audience are aware of where the interviews/action is taking place and therefore will be sure to include these within my main task.
- Close-ups were also utilised effectively, showing detail to elements such as badges on the bikers jackets. As well as this, they were used when introducing the cast members by providing the audience with a close up of their face. I feel this is important as they are guided through the documentary by these people so they should be given an opportunity to familiarise themselves with them. Due to this, I have decided I will use close ups within interviews.
- Effective over-the-shoulder shots have been used when the bikers are riding which I would like to use in my own documentary however feel this may be too dangerous to achieve. As a result, I may use a go-pro camera attached to the bikers helmet or front of his bike to create a point of view shot.
- The above documentary also includes shots taken into the mirror of the motorbike. Although this, once again, may be too dangerous to do whilst the bikes are moving. I could include a shot like this taken on a stationary motorbike.
- Tracking shots have been used frequently throughout and due to this it appears as though this is a relevant and suitable convention for me to utilise myself.
- One of my favourite camera movements used throughout is the reverse zoom used to show one biker then zooming out to show the full extent and vast size of the rally. Although this is creates a great effect within this situation, I am unsure as to whether this will be relevant within my own documentary as it will not be taking place at a rally. However, if I can find a way to incorporate this movement into my main task I will be sure to do so.
- The editing shifts between showing the person talking to showing them riding whilst maintaining their interview as a voiceover. This is something that appears within many documentaries and I feel is necessary in order to ensure my documentary appears professional.
- Title cards have been used to introduce the locations, the letters appearing one by one. I believe I will include title cards such as this within my own documentary however I may not have the letters appearing individually and create a new way of doing this in order to make it original.
- As documentaries are informative, there is a part within the above where a fact appears on the screen. However, instead of the writing appearing on a black background as the title cards do, the background is an unfocused shot. This allows the text to be read easily whilst not taking the focus away from the documentary. This is one of my favourite parts of the documentary and something I am eager to use myself.
- I like the way in which the names of the people speaking appear along the bottom of the screen in the same format throughout. I am therefore going to attempt to create a similar effect within my main task.
MISE-EN-SCENE
- The 'props' used may not necessarily be referenced to as props as, due to the fact that it is a documentary, they are all naturally occurring elements. However, it could be said that the bikes themselves are props and one which will feature in my own documentary.
- Protective motorbike clothing such as leather pants, jackets and helmets are worn throughout and my main cast member will also be seen wearing this clothing.
- Various different locations have been used such as simply standing outside, coffee shops and on the road. I will definitely be including outside shots and on the move features within my main task.
- The lighting used is all very natural as the majority of it is shot outside. Due to the fact that it is a real documentary lights haven't been used to create a particular effect and therefore I will also attempt to use as much natural lighting as possible.
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Next, I deconstructed the second episode from the docu-series 'Grayson Perry: Who Are You?' aired on Channel 4. I looked at this until the first advert break as I felt this was enough for me to grasp the way in which the documentary was formulated and pick out relevant and helpful features.
- As this is a docu-series rather than a single episode documentary, the introduction shows various clips from throughout the series with the voiceover, who is also the presenter, explaining what it is about. Prior to this I had not thought about making my documentary a part of a docu-series however this is now something that I may consider.
- Some of these clips, and other images, appeared side by side almost as if a split-screen. This was an effective way of condensing the series without taking up too much time.
- This all appears before the title card and as a result I will attempt to include a small clip from the documentary or some sort of moving image prior to the appearance of the title.
- In this case the title appears word by word and moves around a lot with an accompanied drum roll-esque sound. As a result, it creates a dramatic effect and may provoke excitement within the audience resulting in them wanting to watch the documentary rather than turning the channel over. I will therefore attempt to create a moving title sequence within my main task.
- It shows the presenter speaking as a voiceover whilst showing him doing other things such as drawing or looking at pictures. As a result, the speech is clear and easily audible rather than him speaking whilst drawing. I will attempt to adopt this effect within my own documentary by using interviews with the main cast member as a voiceover whilst showing clips of him when he is not talking.
- I was introduced to a new concept when watching this documentary in the way in which it sets the scene. Usually, I have noticed that establishing shots tend to be used initially when changing locations in order to introduce it to the audience. However, when introducing the Jesus Centre a low angle was used first followed by an establishing shot. The use of a low angle expresses the importance of the location and could be something I choose to include within my main task if I feel it is relevant.
- As well as the presenter being a narrator, there are also shots of him talking to the camera utilising camera shots such as mid-shots and close ups. This allows the audience to identify with Perry more, as it appears as though he is talking to them on a more personal level compared to when he is just a voiceover.
- It was effectively expressed when a night had gone by as it showed a building from the outside at night then the screen faded to black. When it faded back to light and was daytime it was accompanied by bird sounds which clearly informed the audience that it was morning without having to state this fact. I really liked the effect of fading to black and then back to light and will consequently attempt to fit this into my main task. However, I will try not to include it if it is not relevant or appears pointless.
- Point of view shots were used such as when Perry was taking a photograph and the audience is allowed to see the screen on the camera in the same way he would. This further allows the audience to identify him which is also done through the use of over the shoulder shots. These were used when Perry was talking to Matt. The camera flipped between being over Perry's shoulder looking at Matt, and Matt's shoulder looking at Perry. I will also use these shots if there is a part of my documentary where two people are conversing.
- Due to the fact that it is a documentary, and everything that is seen is real, natural diegetic noises (such as the stirring of a teacup) occur throughout. My own main task will also include noises such as this as I am creating a real documentary.
- At one point, other people within the programme take over the role of narration. This is only for a short period of time however whilst this is happening there is also a change in the visual elements. The image appears as dull in colour and out of focus. Not only this, but it is in slightly slow motion. As I am going to have my cast member as the narrator this may not be something I am able to use within my own documentary but I feel it was aesthetically pleasing, original and worked very well in this instance.
- As it comes up to the
break, the hashtag #graysonperry appears in the bottom right hand corner
of the screen. This would encourage the audience to tweet about the programme
which could create hype and work as a free advertisement. As a result, I have
decided I will include a link to social media within my main task.
- The title card which
appears before the break is the same as the title card which appeared at the
beginning. Not only does this create a sense of structure but it would also
create less work in having to make a new one for the end of each part. As a
result, if I choose to have my documentary going to a break I will use the same
title card that I use at the beginning.
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Finally, I looked at a Channel 5 documentary 'World War II In Colour' which differs greatly to the two previously mentioned documentaries. This is because it is strictly educational and consists only of a narrator dictating over old war footage. Due to the fact that this is extremely different to the direction I am planning on going with my documentary, I am aware that I will not gather a lot of inspiration from this documentary. However, I felt that it was useful to look at this as it allowed me to identify what conventions are relevant to documentaries as a whole, no matter what kind, and as a result what it is necessary for me to include in my main task.
- It began in the same way as the Grayson Perry documentary in the sense that it had introductory footage prior to the appearance of the title card. Due to the fact that this appears to be a recurring convention if I choose to have my 5 minute clip coming from the beginning of a documentary I will also utilise this feature.
- Although I would use very different music within my work, watching this documentary allowed me to see how important music is in creating the mood. The patriotic and powerful tune at the beginning instantly constructs a sense of comradery. This has let me know how important my choice of music and sound will be and I will therefore ensure I allocate a suitable amount of time for music choices.
- This is further reinforced through the way in which the music suits what is being shown on screen. For example, the music crescendos when a bomb goes off and when a missile takes off.
- Text appears along the bottom of the screen to inform the audience of what this part of the documentary is about (e.g. "The Soviet Steamroller"). A similar feature was used within the first documentary I looked at whereby it informed the audience of the location. Therefore, if I feel it is possible to include this within my own work I will be sure to do so in an attempt to make it appear as professional.
- The narrators voice is clear throughout and his speech is relevant to what is being shown on screen. I will use the most high quality microphone I have access to in order to ensure that the speech is clearly audible as muffled speech would make my documentary appear as amateur.
- Contrasting to the two previous documentaries, this documentary utilises animation. This is used when a map appears on screen. The map is translucent and therefore the audience is still able to partially see war clips beneath it. Although I don't feel that it will be necessary for me to include animation within my documentary it is helpful for me to be aware that this element can be included if I feel the need to.
