Documentary mini-task

What is a documentary? Well, a documentary is a form of recording facts into a visual media like films or TV shows. The contents of these can range from documentaries of various locations and events, to specific people as well, essentially being a kind of bibliography for the person.

Expository documentaries are essentially “voice of God” documentaries, which show the life of people in a specific place or of a specific group of people, essentially giving the viewer’s more of an opinion of said object or location, while having a commentator talk over the video, often giving opinions and facts to the viewers.  A common example of this kind of film is the David Attenborough documentaries, such as “Trials of Life” which looks at animal behavior through different stages of life.

Observational Documentaries is similar, in the fact it shows information about certain people or locations, however, while expository has some voice giving us information, observation removes any external observation from anyone, including the recording crew, with even the recorded location and/or group of people not interacting with the camera. An example of this is “Big Brother” to a degree, this is because they barely react to the fact they are being recorded, and it could be said there is a “voice of God” In the confessional room.

Interactive documentaries are documentaries in which we know there is someone involved, usually a kind of presenter, due to the fact he is in the cameras field of view most of the time, actually asking questions to the people in the documentary. It often presents multiple arguments, and editing is seen a lot more. An example of a series of documentaries is the “Louis” films (Louis Theroux), such as “Louis and the Nazis”. There are issues though, if the people being documented don’t want most of his/her life being delved into in detail, essentially locking out some parts of what could possibly have been recorded. An example of this is, again in “Louis and the Nazis”, was when he was conversing with a “Skinhead”, the “Skinhead” was not willing to disclose anything about his Life to Louis because Louis himself was unwilling to state his religious orientation. Code 8.1 from the Ofcom code states that “Any infringement of privacy in programmes, or in connection with obtaining material included in programmes, must be warranted.” (http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code-2008/privacy/)

Reflexive documentaries are more “artistic” documentaries, due to the fact they often end up making something that may seem strange, but it still conveys its message. But, it’s strange design makes it a bit confusing. This is due to the fact that unlike most other documentaries, it feels more like a mish mash of things that are meant to represent other things, people or areas. This ends up making some people unable to understand the message relayed. An example of this is “man with a movie camera”. The reason for this is due to the fact it is seen from the perspective of someone watching the main “Character”, it seems like we are watching a chain that is also happened while the documentary was being made.

Finally, there are performative documentaries.  Unlike what the title displays, this is more informative than the other documentaries, due to the fact that it ends up using dramatizations, for example, recreations of past events. This in-turn is the reason the name “preformative” is given. This makes it subjective, since we also see it from one point of view at a time. The reason for this is due to the fact that sometimes, only one side has the whole story, even then, it’s arguable. These end up adding a good twist on the whole documentary genre, due to the fact that most of the documentary types mentioned don’t end up explaining in this great amount of detail. This can however cause issues since it can be a bit gory, dependant on what is shown. It also involves multiple interviews with people. An example of this is actually the “Crime watch” this is due to the fact that this show ends up following the main parts of the “Sub-genre”

My own documentary filmmaking philosophy is to keep it as close to the truth as possible, essentially making a documentary of the performative or interactive sub-genres to allow me to show more facts, and I will keep it as close to the facts as plausible, even if there ends up being some kind of random action had occurred during the recording.  It does, however, bring questions if this is the case due to the fact that no one can tell if what they are saying is the truth.

 

 

Is Television News a “Window on the world”?

Let’s start with the opening sequences. The opening sequences often have multiple imagery that imply that you are watching the news as it happens, such as the “Ticking clocks”. To show that the news is worldwide, they also often use iconography that represents places from different countries, such as big Ben, the tajmahal, and similar other things. The same effect can be done by showing the globe, which is done in several intros such as the BBC news intro. The intro, and at parts the set itself also end up having a glass like design, further representing the fact it should be a “Window on the world”

However, the sets does have some issues with displaying this imagery in my opinion. The reason for this is that at times, or at least on some intros of the news, you end up seeing the equipment in the background, seeming like there is more work being done in the background than just showing us what is there, also adding the realism of the news broadcast a bit.

The presenters (Also known as Studio news readers) often have to be non-biased in their opinion while on screen. The reason for this is because of the “Impartiality laws”, which I will explain in a bit. Though, it does end up further strengthening its claim as the “Window on the world” There are also field reporters, which give us a view of the event where It is, most of the time at least. When they are on the field two things often occur, they are often seen interviewing people on the scene, and there is a link to the studio, so they have a method of doing live recordings, which is mainly for major events, such as bombings, Major global events, and several other aspects. There is also another thing that also is done by the studio news readers. They have a specific mode of addressing to viewers. They often are seen facing the camera at eye level, as if talking to them directly, this is to enhance the realism, and make it seem like they are talking to the viewer (you)

There are a few rules that have to be maintained in news reporting. There are seven main Laws, and two key regulatory bodies. The Laws (Which I have taken from the Btec Media blog, more due to fact the following being facts) are the impartiality laws, which says “ITV news will show due impartiality” the BBC Royal charter which says “The corporation shall refrain from expressing its vies on matters of public concern”, The Official secrets act, which prevents broadcast or publication of material deemed to be detrimental to the security of the nation.

Then there is the Prevention of terrorism act, which prevents the broadcast of material likely to promote terrorist organizations or causes, The Libel laws which prevent the publication or broadcast of any unfounded accusations, the sub-judicy laws, which prevent publication or broad cast of anything to do with ongoing court cases which may influence the jury, and the D notices, in which defense notices may be issued by a committee consisting of members of the ministry of defense, the military and the media, where the government think that to publish or broadcast information will be detrimental to British defense interests.

The Regulatory bodies are Ofcom, which regulate terrestrial TV, so channels like ITV, C4, and C5 as well as cable and satellite channels, some parts of the BBC and radio, while the other is the BBC trust, which is the main regulatory body for the BBC, though it’s not really independent.

The news selection process is a bit strange, considering if id doesn’t hit any one of several key points, it is thrown into the “Dust bin of history”, These key points can include stuff such as “How often does this event happen?”, “How it affects people” and “Are elite people affected (VIPs)”. This process is essentially made by using “Galtung and Ruge’s study of news values” Which still holds true today. These news values end up making a minor bias, since they really priorities stuff that don’t affect the general area, if its local news, the exact opposite occurs if it’s global.

The process of making a news story can be considered long, since it takes a day to really set it up. The process often starts from around 10 am, and finishes just before 10pm, so that any last minute changes can occur if needed if a breaking story occurs. During the day, they start off with a time table for the news broadcast, including what camera angles, what clips, and so forth to use. All these end up making it seem realistic, though that can be put under subjectivity, considering mistakes can happen on air that make it seem like you are watching a blooper reel of a TV show.

All these points end up showing that the creation of a news report is not really a “window” to the world, since everything is modified to show us what they want us to see. Nothing more than that. It doesn’t really change much about it though, since it is just following something we have seen over and over again, only when they do something that seems off, we only notice the realism break, and even then, it’s only temporary, meaning there is not much we can do to change it. The news is still accurate, so why change it?

Now, there are also alternative methods of getting news. By using Social media networks such as face book, twitter and several other things, it is possible for News teams to get news faster, and cheaper. It also allows for them to get send out people quickly to clarify these events, since I doubt that the limited amount of characters from twitter would help much. It does however help relay people’s reactions to the public from events such as the Boston marathon bombing and also any other key events. These feats are made easier due to upgraded technology. Both, ranging from better handheld recording equipment to smart phones ended up helping record major events and spreading the word about these events. This does end up showing a more realistic feel, since it can show it as if you were recording it yourself, or even if you are there. You can visualise the voices from the “text speak” from those who were there, helping keep the “Window of the world” objective the news attempts to keep.

Production Diary: Three minute wounder

Tuesday 30th April 2013

1. We started a contact list (Quite litterally, a list of people and their contant details so we can have easy access to them), and actually started preparing questions to ask certain people. and so forth.

2. we started doing research on the subject, I.E Scoliosis, and started gathering images including an x-ray of what a person's (Connor, in this scenario) spinal cord was like before and after the operation to help it.

3. Started planning for recording, including locations, what visuals to use, and how to organise the clips and interviews

4. We also done multiple pieces of paperwork that are involved in pre-production, such as risk assessment. I will be uploading them slowly over time.

Thursday 9th May 2013

1. We started recording, and we managed to record Connor's interview and Antonella muscat (the Physiotherapist) was interviewed aswell on a later date.

2. We also continued our planning, where we started plans for our final shoot, worked on the questions for all three interviews (Some of the original questions were altered near the recording itself.)

3. Finally, we continued to work on the editing, working more on the transitions aswell as how the filming links with one another.

Idea For Three Minute wounder

Title: "Gamers, The second Family"
As the title suggests, this is a documentary of family, to a degree. The main thing my documentary is meant to show is that gamers, though they bicker a lot, tend to be like a huge "Secondary Family" at times, doing stuff that the person's normal family could not. They seem to be easier to befriend due to the similar interests, and they can even act as a single force. At times, their bond links to this "Familial" state.
What I want to do, is prove this. To a degree, at least.

For this, I have two possible sources for interviews: The internet (Small group of friends) and the magic players at boundless realms (a shop + weekly event)

News report Examinination.

For this, I will be using the first two things mentioned on a Monday morning news broadcast, due to in-ability to do research on 6 o’clock news or 10 o’clock news.

The first news story was one that affected People all over the country, though of one particular group. This leads for the reason its hard hitting; it mentions that hardships will be occurring for the community, both, those who are part of this particular group and the people related to them. The reason it affects so many people is due to the fact it involves monetary matters. Though, To help people out, they brought in a professional in the matter to help give the viewers ideas on how to work around these hardships.

They did this, by mentioning ideas several methods on how to save money and links to multiple websites. All in all, this news report was a range of worrying (To a specific group of people) and comforting (to the same group of people.)  To me, this must be the reason it was put as the first show broadcast. It’s hard-hitting enough to grab people’s attention, and it calms people down enough to lead into the next broadcast.

The second broadcast was part of a large list of events that has been happening over the last few weeks, since it was involving North Korea and its current leader. For this news report, they brought in VIPs, such as the former UK ambassador in North Korea. He was brought in to explain an event that is happening in North Korea, as well as explain a minor bit of history, involving the founder and why the day in-itself was special and essentially was held as a day of peace.

This broadcast was also extremely political, since it also had multiple implications that the US is opening up talks with North Korea if they “Put down their arms” (I.E the nukes they claim to have.) They also have opened up talks with the countries giving aid to North Korea, in case of emergencies.

This news report also is hard hitting due to it mentioning several laws in North Korea, and one that the BBC may have broken in itself (News reporters from other countries are not allowed access, I believe if it is for work purposes.) they did this by sneaking this reported in with a group of university students, and though they told most of the students, they didn’t tell 3 due to one specific reason: If they were questioned if they knew about this, they would say no if they were one of the three.

This puts people’s lives at risk. However, around this time they also mention a similar event has occurred before, and the last group was lucky enough to just not be allowed into North Korea ever again.

To me, the reason this report was put second was due to the fact it is part of a chain of events that has been occurring of late, and the fact it involves multiple parties. However, the reason it was put second is also due to it being of no immediate importance to a large group of people in the country, unlike the first report.

Connotations of News Reports (The Written work)

Well, let's first go with the key common aspects seen in the intro itself, shall we? First of all, it has a beaty fast paced musical track. Heard from the first second, it keeps a beat that is similar to the ticking of a clock, essentially referencing the fact that it is showing news from that point in time. The rushing graphics have a similar effect, though they also end up forming the world from space, causing another double-whammy of simultaneous effects. And finally, Transparent objects. These are meant to represent the fact we are seeing the news as it is, not altered or anything.

In the BBC there are often two newsreaders, an over 50 Man and a woman that seems around her 30s. this implies the "Sexist Connotation" As that the males that are older are often seen as the more wise, while the women, who are often younger, are essentially there as the "Sex appeal" (Not really the right word in this scenario, but still.), They also often have an extremely limited range of facial expressions, Until they reach near the end of their allotted time (Usually seen when they say "and finally" is when they change to the larger emotional range)

They are also often wearing business clothing which often imply formality. They also look at the screen as they say the news, often seeming as they are talking to you directly. They are also, finally, Often seen as just news readers, Nothing more. They just tell us the news, not give their own spin on it.

Connotation of News reports (The intro)