‘ I N W H A T W A Y S D O E S Y O U R M E D I A P R O D U C T U S E , D E V E L O P O R C H A L L E N G E F O R M S A N D C O N V E N T I O N S O F

R E A L M E D I A P R O D U C T S ? ’

Evaluation Q1…

At A2 level we were told at the beginning of the year

that we would be expected to produce the first 5

minutes to a documentary on a topic of our chose

that we felt would be insightful. Along with two more

ancillary tasks that will help to promote the

documentary, these were a radio trial that would

capture the interest of the target audience and

persuade them to watch the documentary. As well as

a TV listing article double page spread for a specific

magazine we could chose.

Our Task

We firstly conducted extensive research into documentaries as a whole to

get a feel for what our finished product would hopefully resemble in some

way. To make sure our products looked professional we studied not only

documentaries, but radio trails as well as double page spreads for TV

listing magazines.

We watched and analysed Morgan Spurlock’s ‘Super Size Me’

documentary to see what conventions he used, another we watched was ‘A

Good Smack’. My group took it upon ourselves to watch a documentary

that was closely related to our own topic of tattoos to get a feel of what we

should be including, therefore we watched ‘My Tattoo Addiction’

Real media products

To enable us to start brainstorming ideas for the documentary we must first

decided what kind of documentary it would be. We studied Bill Nichol’s theory of

documentary modes (2001) to see what our options were. We found the 6 types

were; the expository mode (Voice of God), the poetic mode (subjective, artistic

expression), the observational mode (window on the world), the participatory

mode, the reflexive mode (awareness of the process) and finally the per formative

mode (film maker as participant).

We found the most common was the expository mode as this emphasizes verbal

commentary and argumentative logic, often using a narrator (voice over). It

assumes a logical argument and a "right" and "proper" answer.

Therefore we decided our documentary would be expository.

Documentary genres

We then researched into the typical conventions of a documentary

we found that these aspects were of particularly high importance;

actuality, voice over, expert opinions, vox pops, archival footage,

interviews, reconstructions, montage of images with a variety of shot

types used throughout as well as many more conventions.

As we chose our documentary to be expository is must be factual,

and must include details that our viewer did not know before as well

as figures that would be relevant and interest them.

Conventions

I wrote the voice over script so that the viewer could be guided through the

documentary where needed. However we did not want to have an over reliance

on the voice over as we thought it would be more advantageous to gain the

interest of the audience by using more of our interview footage. The voice over

is there when needed to display facts and raise questions in the audience’s mind

to keep them actively thinking about what they are being shown.

We included facts such as: ‘Currently around 20 million people in the UK have

been inked’ as well as: ‘tattoos began thousands of years ago originally

associated with the aristocracy in England’

As well as keeping balance in the argument: ‘This is one view, however, on the

other hand many describe it as an art form’

Furthermore we included the rhetorical question of: ‘Are tattoos just a way of

expressing yourself in todays society?’

Voice Over

As mentioned previously our documentary has a lot of interview footage as this is were the

information is. We have included an expert opinion as we found in all expository documentaries this

is necessary as it shows knowledge the audience can rely and supports the point you’re making.

We also used three case studies that had information and stories to tell about their experience of

living with tattoos. Our viewers can hear about how discrimination does or does not affect them

along with employment aspects. All these interviews were framed purposely, they were medium

close ups that were filmed using a tripod therefore no shaking. The frame is tight and has mise en

scene specifically chosen. The employer Steve Brown is in an office environment in his usual attire

which conveys actuality to the audience. Ryan Jones has a background full of heavy metal band

posters which links with the stereotype of tattooed people all being into rock, also typically most of

the people in the posters have tattoos too. Katie Williams is in a living area where there are a suite

and blinds visible this subverts the stereotype of tattooed people as she could not look more

‘normal’ in how she is dressed and her environment. Finally Mike Smith also has appropriate mise

en scene of a plain green background with artwork to the side of him which links to how tattoos

are portrayed as art work. His tattoos on his arms are also visible. Following another convention all

interviews used the rule of thirds to ensure they looked professional. With the interviewees slightly

off centre allows the audience for looking room in the way that the person is facing.

Interviews included

We noticed in many documentaries it is popular to have a section where vox pops are used to

get the opinion of the general public. We only included 3 short clips as they aren’t informed

opinions but none the less add another dimension to the views already explored. They help bring

in more opinions that many may have, representing their demographic. Not only this we found

they also helped to create a breather for the audience and break up the interviews.

To again look professional we tried to keep the background consistent, however they could have

been framed better as they are in the middle of the screen yet looking to one side this is due to

cropping we had to do further into production and as they were put on the spot they were

nervous therefore some did not feel comfortable enough to look down the barrel of the camera.

As our vox pops were filmed in the college canteen there is the background noise of a busy area

but this could help to create ambience of the college as we stated what location we were filming

at.

Vox pops

Archival footage is a popular feature in the media, even on the news you

may still see archival footage of the riots from surveillance cameras. In

documentaries they help to show what you’re talking about is important and

already in the public eye. We found it added diversity to our documentary.

We used the archival footage of the introductory titles of tattoo show LA

Ink that runs without sound whilst the voice over is playing. It is fast paced

and adds excitement as well as being aesthetically pleasing as there are all

kinds of shots, also famous tattoo artist Kat Von D’s tattoos are visibly

displayed which clearly links to our subject topic. The show is something

that our viewers are probably also familiar with.

Archival footage

At the beginning of our Skin Deep documentary we used a montage of

images. We noticed that Morgan Spurlock in SuperSize Me used many montage

of images of fast food, obese people and fast food restaurants and as you can

see below images of his mum cooking, we found this interesting to watch as the

audience so therefore thought we would also include this convention.

We used tattooed people we were aware of in the public eye this immediately

is recognisable for the viewer as they are subconsciously picking out who they

know and what tattoos they have. It also helped highlight a point in our

documentary that tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, the fact so many

images are used together shows this statement to be correct.

This took time and patience for us to get right as we YouTube’d how to do it

and watched a video of somebody explaining how it is done. Getting the right

images to come in at the right time and in the right place was tricky but we

thought in the end was hopefully effective.

Montage

We also researched into narrative structures to ensure that the structure

of our documentary worked and emulated a professional style.

Todorov’s narrative theory states the classic notion that a story has a

beginning a middle and end and documentaries often follow this order that

in the end leads to the audience reaching a goal and coming to their own

conclusions.

Although we only had 5 minutes to create an opening we tried to make

what we had look as if it would follow in the same structure and follow this

feature where the audience comes to a decision on their thoughts after

hearing all the point and facts.

Narrative Structure

Shot types are extremely important when creating a documentary. After watching various

documentaries we noticed that interviews were medium close ups. When entering a relevant

place establishing shots would be used hence why we got a shot of the Solihull Sixth Form

sign and did a pan of the whole college, this makes the audience feel like they are also

coming on a journey with you.

Another shot type we used was an extreme close up of the dictionary with the definition of

discrimination stated. This is used as a cutaway. As well as an extreme close up of a tattoo

being done. We used a zoom into an extreme close up of the front of a tattoo book so you can

see the artwork clearly.

In addition I used a close up shot of the employer typing on the laptop to give the viewer

variety this is also a cutaway.

Another shot we used was the slow pan of the artwork on the wall, this was then

accompanied by a downward pan of the skeleton, this was relevant as it was a piece of

artwork as well as it being the human body which is appropriate with people getting their

bodies tattooed. We also panned the background of Ryan’s frame so all the posters were

visible, this allows the viewer to feel as if they are exploring his environment.

Camera

The lighting throughout a documentary is usually really important as it

helps to create mood and atmosphere.

However we did not have control over this aspect therefore all of our

footage was using lights that were already fixtures in the rooms we were

in or natural lighting.

In majority of places this was not a problem, however in one of the case

study interviews, the one with Mike Smith there were spot lights in that

room so it was not ideal as it creates a shadow over his face and leaves a

very bright head but he is still visible therefore is not too much of a

problem.

Lighting

All the documentaries we saw had background music however it was only evident when it was

pointed out as we decided if you as a viewer were focusing on the music when a voice over or

interview was on then the information is not interesting enough.

We used a copyright free track found from Garage Band, its main feature is the guitar this seemed

appropriate for our documentary as tattoos are stereotypically linked to music and bands so this

was perfect.

At the beginning where the title of ‘Skin Deep Tattoo Discrimination’ type writes across the screen

we have imported copyright free sound of a tattoo gun buzz to create a feel of being in a tattoo shop

and what diegetic sounds you’d hear there.

We used 2 different non diegetic sound tracks throughout the documentary to eliviate the

audience getting bored of the monotonous repetitive track. Both seemed to interchange quite nicely.

These tracks were played were we deemed necessary, below the voice over which helped make

sound levels appear more consistent, when footage alone was played and also under the vox pops in

attempt to mask the diegetic background noise of the busy canteen . Not only this we also repeated

the track on the last clip and made it come in slowly towards the end so it wasn’t an abrupt finish as

the documentary would have continued as this was only the first 5 minutes.

We used microphones and headphones in order to get a loud and clear sound from the interviews.

Sound

We predominantly used straight cuts in our documentary as this is what is used in

most documentary therefore we followed this convention in attempt to stay

professional. It was important for us to ‘snap’ the clips together on Final Cut Express

so that there were no accidental flashes of black screen where nothing was playing.

Editing

Straight Cuts

Fade to black/ Cross DissolveThe other feature we used was fade to black and cross dissolve. We thought this would be

more professional than using lots of varying transitions as then it loses it’s serious nature. The

fade to black allowed the audience to take in what had just being said and chance for them to

think about it without moving straight onto the next feature, therefore acting as a breather.

We also found fade to black helped the documentary flow better as you can tell that one

segment was meant to end and something new was beginning.

We may have challenged usual conventions of documentaries by not including certain

features. These aspects include;

Reconstruction- we felt it would be too hard to create a reconstruction that would

seem realistic and would be relevant to add to our footage, it would seem

inappropriate to have somebody discriminating against somebody with a tattoo as it

would not come across as genuine and we would lose the serious and professional

vibe.

Graphics- this was another convention we decided not to use, it can be very effective

at the right point as we witnessed in SuperSize me. However we did not feel there was

a point where computer generated images would have worked, not to mention we

wouldn’t know what images to create, as this didn’t seem fitting we decided to leave it.

Challenging Conventions

TV listings magazine double page

Research became a main factor again when

thinking about creating a double page spread for a

TV listings magazine.

We had to pick what magazine we wanted our

double page to be featured in; we chose the Radio

Times, therefore we must ensure we follow all the

correct conventions so it would be compatible.

Double Page

Radio Times

Conventions

Every magazine writes in columns

Pull quote- an important/ interesting quote from the copy that will entice the reader.

Channel 4 logo- highlights the channel

Page numbers

Main image- it is always essential to have a min image, on the Radio Times they take up majority of the page

Date of issue and magazine title

Title/ mast head- at the top of the page so is noticeable, clear and easy to read. Font is artistic to link with the topic. We chose this colour as it is a skin colour.

Text wrap- a common convention so the text goes around the image neatly

Cut out images with feathered edges so they fit together neatly

Drop capital- signifying where the beginning is.

Bold lines found in all Radio Times

Details of the documentary

Image relating to the topic, tattoos are on show for the reader to see.

Stand first

We used Times New Roman for the font at size 12 as this is the same as the Radio Times.

We did not include any other images apart from the main one, here we are

challenging the conventions of a double page spread as most have more than one image. We did cut another out ready to use however we were not sure where to place it therefore left it out as our main image is 3 main images really. I think it works fine on its own.

Before creating our radio trail we researched some professional ones to give us an idea of how

ours should sound.

We analysed David Attenborough’s Life Story, the Italian Grande Prix and Stephen Fry’s English

Delight.

After listening to these we noticed that they last approximately 40 seconds, in the end our s

lasted 36 seconds therefore we followed the time length convention.

Another aspect we picked up on was the fact that most of that time was taken up by clips from

the documentary this in attempt to interest the listener and hopefully would make them want to

tune in. The radio presenter does not say a lot, other than what it is called, maybe a little bit of

information on it, the channel, time and date. Those key features are then repeated at the end so

the viewer can try and retain the important information.

We included 5 different clips from the documentary all a few seconds long giving a quick opinion,

as you can tell it is different people’s voices I think it works quite well it’s short and sweet as well

as intriguing to what else these people may have to say in the whole documentary.

Music was also used underneath the clips and the narration, again this must not be too

overpowering as we want the audience to hear the facts. We used the same music clip that we used

in our documentary to keep a constant between the different products.

Radio Trail