Assignment 10:Purpose, Inspiration &

Mode Theory

Laura Cuk

What is the purpose of the documentary?

The purpose of this documentary is to:

• Teach them facts that they didn’t already know

• Inform people of the impact of animal abuse

• Make them aware of the topic

What would people learn about?People will learn about:

• Animal abuse – the different types.

• The positive and negative debate on this topic.

• Why does it still exist, and which countries still allow it.

Purpose?

InspirationHow did other documentaries inspire me?

Attenborough’s Ark

In this documentary from David

Attenborough, he explored all the 10

different animals that were facing extinction.

Forms:

Background music

Voiceover

Handheld camera movement

Conventions:

Expert interviews

Animation

Supporting footage

I like the way Attenborough

uses participatory mode

and involves himself in the

subject.

Inspiration

How did other documentaries inspire me?

The X Games: The Movie

Forms:Voiceover

Non diegetic background music

Credits

Conventions:Animation

Expert interviews

I like the way the

presenter had loads

of expert interviews

with famous people.

Inspiration

How did other documentaries inspire me?

The End of the Line

Forms:

Non diegetic background music

Voiceover

Cutaways

Conventions:

Statistics, graphs and diagrams

Archival footage

Expert interviews

I like the fact that the

documentary uses the

convention of statistics

because it is hard hitting

and I would really want to

use that in my documentary

topic.

Inspiration

How did other documentaries inspire me?

Shelter Me

Forms:

Voiceovers

Non diegetic music

Titles and credits

Conventions:

Presenter and also a narrator

I like the way the documentary

uses the background music,

because the song was made for

the film and relates to the topic.

I like this documentary

because it relates to my

topic and has given me

ideas on how I can do

mine.

Mode Theory

Mode Conventions & examples Explanation of how it applies to

your documentary

Expository mode

(voice of God)

Narrator to address the

audience directly to present

E.g. Blue Planet

I will be using a presenter who will

address the audience directly.

Participatory mode

(filmmaker and

subject together)

Direct engagement with

both filmmaker and the

subject.

E.g. Bowling for Columbine

I would like the presenter to be a

participant in the documentary

Performer Mode

(filmmaker as

participant)

Emphasises emotional and

social impact on the

audience

E.g.

It relates to my topic and the

filmmaker will be participating in

my documentary.