Observational Documentaries

Definition

• Documentary maker follows the person around to observe the events that happen in their life

• Equipment can be informal, such as the use of hand-held cameras

• Usually no interviews are include and there is no voice over

• Long takes are used• Synchronous sound incorporated

MTV’s Teen Cribs

• This is a reality TV/documentary programme originally airing on MTV. The basis of the show features tours of houses and mansions of very wealthy families and teenagers.

• Before it was Teen Cribs it was just MTV Cribs, which featured the very big houses of really rich celebrities.

• This show classes as a observational documentary because it follows the teenagers around as they do a tour of their house. The camera focuses on all of the wealthy items and furniture that is inside the house as well as outside.

• Interviews aren’t included but the teenagers and parents do talk about the house whilst they’re doing the tour of the house.

Techniques

• Editing: The speeding up of clips helps to show the less interesting parts of the house quickly and emphasises the good parts of the house when the speed returns to normal

• Sound: Music makes it more interesting to watch

• Camera shots: Long takes used to show everything

16 and Pregnant

This is a reality TV/documentary programme following the lives of pregnant teenage mums and how they deal with high school and being pregnant.

The episode usually begins with the teenage mum being around 5 months pregnant and ending with the baby, having been born, about 3 months old.

It is produced in a documentary format with an animation on notebook paper showing highlights during each episode.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:16andpregnantcard.png

• This show is classed as an observational documentary because it follows the pregnant teens around and observes their every day life and how they deal with it.

• They’re aren’t any interviews but the girls do talk through what they are doing, how it makes them feel and the effects it will have on them and their babies.

• Long takes are used

Techniques

• Editing: Post-production editing using a notebook-style format is used to emphasise the main parts of the show and also makes it more interesting visually for the viewer

• Sound: Music helps to engage the viewer

• Camera Shots: A variety is used especially long shots.

Examples of Observational Documentaries• 16 And

Pregnant• MTV’s Teen

Cribs• Teen Mom• Big Brother• Jersey Shore?