Documentary Project

Week 1 - Documentary Conventions

Commonly, documentaries are created to entertain, inform, or educate the viewer, Most documentaries aim to portray a point or are based around a particular subject or object. Whilst different forms of media, such as video, image, and audio can be used in a documentary, it is important to understand the different aspects of each medium. For example, some visual ways in which information can be presented are as follows:

- The filming of events in real time

- Interviewing people that are relevant to the topic

- Compiling archived information (Photos, video, etc)

- The recreation of events (Use of actors)

When analysing documentaries, it is also important to remember these key points:

- Most documentaries do not have actors.

- Some have actors to act out the situation being described

- Most documentaries are non-fiction

- Most documentaries rely on interviews to carry the story forward

- Some documentaries have narrators, some do not

- Documentaries use different forms of media, including video, photo, and audio to explain the narrative

- Some documentaries are informative and educational, whilst also being entertaining

- Documentaries can either reflect on past events or move with a present event and actively shows the development.

- Most documentaries focus on a key subject or object and document the changes

Week 1 - Documentary Trailer Analysis

Trailer 1 - 'Blackfish' - Blackfish Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Documentary Movie HD - YouTube

The documentary, 'Blackfish' focusses on the effect of keeping orcas in captivity and how that can lead to deadly incidents. It specifically looks at the events surrounding the infamous SeaWorld orca, Tilikum, and the dangers of close, human interaction with the animals. When watching the trailer, it is clear to see that that the documentary follows a non-fiction narrative. The events that are being portrayed are true and have happened, therefore, we assured that it will be an informative and educational watch. Furthermore, this documentary focusses on a recent event (the death of the orca trainer, Dawn Brancheau, therefore, it may appear more relevant and engaging for the viewer. This documentary would be particularly aimed at those who were alive and remember the event taking place in 2010. The documentary offers the audience and unique and different look at how the event unfolded and what caused it to happen. When watching the trailer, it seems that the majority of the content in the documentary is un-staged, with it mostly including interviews and archived footage. Also, it is clear to see that this is an observational documentary; it uncovers the timeline of events leading up to the trainers death and explores the reasons behind the orcas attack.

When looking at some of the common documentary conventions that have been used in this trailer, it is interesting to see that most of the footage is uneven, hand-held camerawork. This could be due to the fact that it uses a heavy amount of archived footage which was not originally intended for the screen. However, in comparison to this, there are also elements of professional camerawork in the interview moments, for example. In addition to this, the lighting that has been used in this documentary is fairly natural, with the only professional lighting being used in the interviews. When analysing the sound in this documentary trailer, it became apparent that there were different qualities of sound that had been used. For example, the sound from the archived footage was of a poorer quality than those from the interviews. Again, this would be down to the fact that the archived footage was not professionally shot, therefore, does not have the appropriate sound to match. Unlike some documentaries, this one doesn't appear to have designated narrator, however, it seems that the stories from the interviewees appear to carry the story forward, whilst recalling and explaining their own accounts of the event. Overall, it appears that this documentary is shaped in a way that it relies on interviews and archived media to move the story forward and tell the narrative.

Trailer 2 - 'Project Nim' - PROJECT NIM | Official Australian Trailer - YouTube

The documentary, 'Project nim' focusses on an experiment which took place in the 1970s in which an American family adopted a chimpanzee in the attempt to teach it sign language. It specifically looks at how the chimp was taught human actions and the vastly different lifestyle that it lived in comparison to one it would have had in the wild. When watching the trailer, it is clear to see that that the documentary follows a non-fiction narrative. The events that are being portrayed are true and have happened, therefore, we assured that it will be an informative and educational watch. Furthermore, this documentary focusses on an event that wasn't widely publicised at the time of it taking place, therefore it may appear as a piece of new information to the viewer. The trailer implies that the documentary takes the viewer behind the scenes of a questionable experiment and the surprising results it had at the end of it, whilst also looking at the consequential effects it had on the chimp. When watching the trailer, it seems that the majority of the content in the documentary is un-staged, with it mostly including interviews and archived footage. Also, it is clear to see that this is an observational documentary; it looks at the reasoning behind the experiment and the facts which were discovered when completing it.

When looking at some of the common documentary conventions that have been used in this trailer, it is interesting to see that most of the footage that has been used is family, home videos. This is a medium that many families would be able to relate to, however, these videos focus particularly on the evolution of the chimp in a family home environment. Due to this, the camerawork is clearly hand-held and uneven. However, in comparison to this, there are also elements of professional camerawork in the interview moments, for example. In addition to this, the lighting that has been used in this documentary is fairly conventional when thinking about documentaries. The interviewees are sat in a plain, dark studio, with only a spotlight, which illuminates their faces when talking. When analysing the sound in this documentary trailer, it became apparent that there was only one, consistent quality of sound that has been used. Unlike the previous trailer that I analysed, this trailer only includes sound from the interviews, instead of sound from the archived videos. Similarly to the previous trailer, this trailer also doesn't seem to have a set narrator, but instead relies on the descriptions from those who are sharing their own stories of the events. Overall, it appears that this documentary relies heavily on archived media, such as home videos and photographs to structure the story in an informative and interesting way.

Trailer 3 - 'Capitalism: A Love Story' - CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY - TRAILER - YouTube

The documentary, 'Capitalism: A Love Story' focusses on an American filmmaker, Michael Moore, who challenges the idea of capitalism. It specifically looks at the difference between the rich and poor in America and the vast differences in lifestyles. It talks about how life has changed for the American people before and after capitalism and how the taxpayers money has been pumped into private organisations, leaving the taxpayer with very little benefit. When watching the trailer, it is clear to see that that the documentary follows a non-fiction narrative, whilst also falling under the comedic genre. Perhaps an unconventional genre for documentaries, the comedy element is used by Moore to highlight the extreme ludicrousness of the situation. Therefore, even though this documentary is informative for the viewer, it also falls under the entertainment category. The events that are being portrayed are true and are being documented in real time whilst also reflecting on the crucial climax of capitalism. The trailer implies that the documentary is recording Moore in the present day, attempting to tackle those of a higher power, and question them on the situation. When watching the trailer, it seems that the majority of the content in the documentary is un-staged, however, some parts may have loosely scripted and it clearly includes moments of improvised comedy.

When looking at some of the common documentary conventions that have been used in this trailer, it is interesting to see that most of the footage that has been used is newly shot footage, which has been specifically made for the documentary purpose. However, it is also important to note that other forms of media have been used throughout, such as, Image stills, archived video, and audio recordings. Due to the nature of the documentary, and the fast pace in which it is shot, the camerawork is clearly hand-held and uneven. However, in comparison to this, there are also elements of professional camerawork in the interview moments, for example. In addition to this, the lighting that has been used in this documentary is fairly conventional when thinking about documentaries. The interviewees are sat in a natural environment with natural lighting, according to the location. When analysing the sound in this documentary trailer, it became clear that there are different qualities of sound throughout. Even though the primary sound is clear and has obviously been recorded through a microphone, some of the audio from the archived footage appears muffled and unclear. This is to be expected when using different types of footage and the documentary would have needed to be edited in a way that the audio all sounds natural to one another. Similarly to the previous trailer, this trailer also doesn't seem to have a set narrator, however, it does rely on Michael Moore to explain the narrative and move it forward. He does this by interviewing people on the spot to get their first hand reactions and challenge their views of behalf of the viewer. Overall, it appears that this documentary is primarily for entertainment purposes, even though it tackles an important issue.

Week 1 - Documentary Comparisons

Documentaries:

'Our Planet' : Our Planet | Forests | FULL EPISODE | Netflix - YouTube

'Fahrenheit 11/9' : Fahrenheit 11/9 - Michael Moore Documentary - YouTube

In order to compare two different documentaries and the style in which they were made, I chose to watch 'Our planet', a Netflix nature documentary, and 'Fahrenheit 11'9', a Michael Moore documentary, focussing on how Donald Trump became the President of the USA. Before watching the documentaries, I was able to predict what each one might focus on, based on the title. When making documentaries, it is important to include a relevant and informative title in order to make viewers aware of what the documentary could be based around.

After watching both documentaries, it became clear that each one focussed on a different subject matter and were both made for different purposes. 'Our Planet' has been constructed in an observational way in order to inform and educate the viewer. It particularly focuses on the ever-changing climate and how this affects the Earths forests and the animals that live in them. Its key aim is to make the viewer aware of a global crisis, present them with the evidence, and encourage them to take action in order to implement change. On the other hand, 'Fahrenheit 11/9' has been structured more around a comedic genre, which is a common attribute to Michael Moore's films. Even though it includes elements of comedy, it also highlights major subjects and heavily criticises American politics. When watching this documentary, it interested me to see that a political opinion and view was being portrayed throughout. Michael Moore was not hesitant to share his own thoughts and feelings and structures his documentary around his political beliefs, showing his support for Hilary Clinton in the 2016 US Presidential race. When reflecting on the purposes of these documentaries, perhaps it appears that both have a key aspect in common; the desire of persuasion. For each documentary, the aim is to have persuaded the viewer by the end and to have given them facts and opinions to allow them to make an informed decision. It may be easier to relate to the 'Our Planet' documentary as this clearly portrays truthful evidence which strongly argues the point being made. However, Michael Moore's documentary is primarily based on political opinion, and may not have the strength behind it to challenge the viewers own beliefs. I found it interesting that, although each documentary focuses on a different subject matter, their end goal is the same.

When analysing the documentaries in further depth, I was able to recognise some of the common documentary conventions. Similarly to most documentaries, 'Our Planet' and 'Fahrenheit 11/9' both focus on non-fiction subjects. However, although 'Our Planet' portrays a real-life situation, the animals are somewhat portrayed as characters, allowing the viewer to understand their attributes and characteristics. It presents each animals own story and directs the viewer through their journey of survival. Whilst it is still considered to be non-fiction, it does include some underlying elements of narrative. When thinking some more about the message behind each documentary, I discovered that 'Our Planet' could be considered to be observational, whereas, 'Fahrenheit 11/9' could be seen as interventional. In the nature documentary, David Attenborough simply observes the events taking place, and offers facts and background of the situation. In contrast to this, Moore intervenes through the medium of voice-over throughout 'Fahrenheit 11/9' to offer his personal opinion. Despite this, both documentaries could be regarded as informative, educational and entertaining.

A key difference in both documentaries which stood out to me was the varying use of different forms of media. For example, 'Our Planet' was structured using related footage which had clearly been collected for this specific purpose, however, in Michael Moore style, 'Fahrenheit 11/9' used archived media of the video, photo, and audio mediums. A common element in each documentary is that both used the voice-over technique, which felt necessary for both. This tool can prove to be extremely beneficial when structuring a documentary as it helps to guide the viewer through the narrative. Without it, 'Our Planet' would have been a collection of footage, with no story behind it, leaving the viewer to question its purpose. This is also the same in the Michael Moore documentary - without his narration, the documentary would have been solely made up of compiled archived footage of little meaning.

one thing that surprised me about both of these documentaries is the fact that neither of them included any interviews. Interviews are a conventional tool when it comes to documentary making as it is also used to help navigate the plot and inform the viewer. Whilst I can understand that using interviews may not have been an appropriate technique in the 'Our Planet' documentary as it focussed on an event taking place in the present day with the ending unknown, I feel that it could have been used in 'Fahrenheit 11/9'. By interviewing different people and gaining different perspectives, it would have allowed a more open discussion on the subject, instead of focusing on the rise of one, and the downfall of the other. Alternatively to this, Moore could have interviewed Clinton supporters only, in order to strengthen his end goal. Either way, both documentaries relate well to the viewer without interviews, however, it would have been interesting to see a different take on the subject, should they have included them.

Overall, I think that, although both documentaries were structured in contrasting ways and focussed on different subject matters, each of them were created to instruct the same aim and deliver a message to the viewer.

Week 2 - The 6 Modes of Documentary

- POETIC

- expository

- Reflexive

- Observational

- Performative

- Participatory

Listed above are the 6 main modes of documentary making. Proposed by American Filmmaker, Bill Nichols, in 1991, each mode has their own characteristics, separating one from another. When analysing a documentary, these modes will allow you to determine the characteristics and meaning behind why it has been made.

Poetic Conventions

• Documentary-maker gives subjective view

• Not in typical narrative structure

• Particular mood/tone is created – enhanced by music

• Often designed to persuade or carry a message

• Events are under-developed and situations can be left unsolved

• Unrelated shots edited together - linked by a mood/music

• Perceived as Avant-garde (innovative, experimental, pushes boundaries)

Expository Conventions

•Expository documentaries set up a specific point of view or argument about a subject and a narrator often speaks directly to the viewer, emphasizing the relationship between the images presented on-screen and offering verbal commentary. Expository documentaries include footage that supports and strengthens the spoken argument of the film, including stock footage, archival footage, b-roll, or re-enactments of historical events.

•Expository documentaries are heavily researched and constructed to inform and persuade. Unlike poetic documentary the goal of the expository mode is to present a strong argument to the audience, convincing them to believe in or agree with a certain point of view.

Observational Conventions

•The Observational mode, also referred to as cinema verité, direct cinema or fly-on-the-wall documentary is often regarded as a purist form of documentary telling.

•Observational documentaries were essentially born out of a movement in the 1960s and 1970s by a group of filmmakers who referred to themselves as ‘actuality filmmakers’.

•Due to the advance in technology during this time, sound and camera equipment became easier to use and manoeuvre . This allowed filmmakers more freedom and the ability to observe events without being intrusive to their subjects.

•The concept of direct cinema is that the best way to see truth is to view it without any involvement or influence. To be a ‘fly on the wall’. This often means that the footage is raw and shaky or jumpy. Long takes.

•Nothing is staged and what you see is apparently natural. There are of course arguments asking how natural someone can be when a camera is present, despite how non-intrusive it is. However this does not necessarily detract from the mode itself.

Participatory Conventions

•The Participatory mode has become a popular form of documentary telling in the last 30 years or more with names such as Michael Moore, Nick Broomfield and Louis Theroux championing this technique.

•Often this is also investigative filmmaking where a question is asked or a controversial topic is explored.

•Participatory documentaries can be done by the filmmaker or director following their subject around and asking questions, a technique often employed by Louis Theroux. The filmmaker does not influence the subject but will attempt to subjectively engage with their subject despite their personal beliefs.

Reflexive Conventions

•Often calls attention to the conventions of documentary filmmaking and sometimes of methodologies such as fieldwork or interview

•Borrows techniques from fiction film for an emotional, subjective response.

•Emphasizes the expressive nature of film; anti-realist techniques e.g. re-enactments, expressive lighting, dramatic music.

•Voiceover (when present) is likely to be questioning and uncertain – rather than authoritative.

•Reliance on suggestion and implied meaning rather than fact

The genre of Mockumentary is closely related

Performative Conventions

•Documentary-maker (and crew) are/interact with the subject.

•Documentary-maker comments on the process of making the documentary.

•The documentary is often shaped into the narrative of an investigation or search, possibly without a satisfactory conclusion.

•The audience is addressed in an emotional and direct way.

•Subject matter often concerns personal rather than ‘factual’ topics.

•These personal, raw accounts may use reenactments, diaries and direct accounts of events

Defining Modes of Documentary

'Stories from the dust bowl' - Stories from the Dust Bowl (2005) - YouTube

When analysing the documentary, 'stories from the dust bowl' it becomes immediately obvious that there are several common conventions that have been used. Some of the main conventions include, using archived footage and media, interviewing individuals related to the subject matter, and the inclusion of evidence which backs up th epoint being made. Upon reflecting on these modes, it seems that this documentary has been made in an expository way. However, despite this, there are also some conventions that have been used, such as, using music to convey mood and portraying a message, which are both common elements of the poetic mode. Therefore, it seems that this documentary has been made using elements of different modes, allowing them to cross over between expository and poetic.

'Etre Et Avoir' - •https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xCJtcPDrag

When watching this documentary which records the life of those in a French school, it became clear to me that the mode which had been used was observational. I was able to determine this by looking at some of the common observational conventions, which include, a cinematic, fly on the wall style, advanced technology being able to include subtitles, and the concept that no opinion is being stated. I BELIEVE THAT THE LAST POINT IS CRUCIAL WHEN CREATING AN OBSERVATIONAL DOCUMENTARY AND ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS TO LOOK FOR WHEN IDENTIFYING ONE. It is important that the documentary does not try to persuade the viewer, but simply inform them.

'Baraka' - https://youtu.be/9MYeViUYbOY?t=660

When watching the opening of the 1992 Documentary, Baraka, it soon becomes apparent that the documentary mode that has been used is poetic. I am able to understand this due to the various shots which have been randomly cut together, with music also placed alongside this to enhance the mood. Furthermore, there appears to be no specific narrative structure to documentary, further indicating that it has been created in a poetic way, without focussing on a beginning and end point.

'Stories we tell' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlTqap_b0yk

When watching this clip from the documentary, 'Stories we tell', it seems to me that this has been in made in the performative mode. This documentary focusses strongly on the emotions being conveyed between the interviewer and interviewee. It plainly displays raw scenes of emotion and simply discusses a topic without the intention of persuasion. However, with this being said, it is also possible to identify other elements of different documentary modes in this clip. For example, in Reflexive documentaries, it is often common to rely on on others to provide information, in contrast to the security that fact might bring in a expository documentary. This convention is relevant in this situation as the interview cuttings make up most of the narrative being told.

'Catfish - Meeting the girl in the pictures' - •https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Io-djZGkc

When watching this short documentary, it became immediately clear to me that this narrative used elements of the Reflexive mode. Thinking about what we had previously discovered about this mode of documentary, it was apparent that the filmmaker and the subject were working collaboratively to create an end project. The film was not static and included some shaky shots to perhaps indicated a real life, unfolding situation. This being said, it also inhabits elements of the participatory mode, with the documentary maker and the subject having a conversation. In some other forms of documentary, this element may have been edited to remove the filmmaker and solely focus on the subject, however, as the filmmaker himself is part of the story, it is important that he remains involved.

'Louis Theroux meets the boer leader' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPbExwBJiwY

After watching this clip from a louis Theroux documentary, I believe that the primary mode that has been used here is Participatory. As is often common in a theroux documentary, the filmmaker explores the situation for himself and is not afraid to push boundaries to gather controversial opinions. This film is structured in a way in which it hopes to deliver a message to the viewer and allow them to form their own opinions on the subject being presented.

Week 3 - Vox Pops

Continuing with the theme of documentary making, this week, we began to look at the Vox Pops technique. Using Vox Pops are one of the most common technique's when creating documentaries that include members of the general public. It is the quickest and most efficient way to collect footage and data.

The way in which recording Vox Pops works, is by setting up a camera and, if possible, sourcing a handheld microphone. When watching some videos that explained the way in which to conduct Vox pops, we learnt that it is important to film the interview in a quiet surrounding and with an interesting background. For example, if you are recording a Vox Pop in London for a documentary about London, a key landmark, such as Big Ben, would be a suitable place to film this.

Furthermore, we also discovered the importance of sourcing a good microphone in order to record clear, crisp audio. In most cases, the audio quality on a camera is lower than that on a microphone which is solely used to record sound. If it is not possible to source a microphone, then it would be beneficial to place the camera as close to the subject as possible to ensure that it is recording the best possible sound.

As well as thinking about audio, it is also important to consider the visual elements that will be paired with your Vox Pop. Before studying Vox Pops in further detail, I had always assumed that it was solely an audio recording, not realising that it can also be paired with video. The key thing to remember when recording Vox pops is that the video and audio elements must be able to sync together during the editing process. In order to ensure that this is a seamless task, it is often useful to use a clapper board, or to select a specific piece of sound that can be heard in both the video and audio recording. This then helps the editor to determine at which point in the recording the sound can be synced together.

After doing some research and learning what Vox Pops are and how they are used, we were set a challenge to record our own Vox Pops. As we are learning the conventions of documentary making, we needed to formulate a series of questions which we could ask our interviewees. Our main question was based around the idea of money when asking, "If you had a million pounds, what would you do with it?". We thought this would be a suitable question as it also allowed us to ask further sub-questions from it, such as, "Would you rather earn the money, or win it?". As a group, we decided on which roles we would each take, whether that be, operating the camera, recording the audio, or asking the questions. Over the course of a couple of hours, we were able to record several Vox Pops and gather a varied amount of footage. We purposely chose to interview people of different age groups and personalities to allow us to collect a broad range of feedback.

Vox Pops Evaluation

This week, we were tasked with making a min-documentary type film, using the Vox Pops technique. After having previously studied what Vox Pops are and how they are conducted, as a group, we now felt able to experiment this technique. As a group, we needed to formulate a basic idea which our Vox Pops video could be based around. We decided to ask the question, “What would you do if you had 10 million pounds?”. We felt that, although this question is fairly specific, it was also broad enough to allow us to ask sub-questions from it. Some of these would include, “Would you tell anyone you had the money?” and, “Would you rather earn the money or win it?”. Now that we had prepared our questions, we would need to designate roles within our group. One of us would need to operate the camera, another recording the audio, and the other asking the interviewee the questions.

Before starting to record our Vox Pops, we felt it important to interview a wide range of people, whether that be based on their age groups or likes and dislikes, in order to give us a varied response. Instead of jumping straight into the interviews, we also felt that it would be beneficial to interview a member of our group first. By doing this, it would allow us to test out the questions in a real situation and get a feel of what the answers could look and sound like. Aswell as this, it also gave us a chance to remind ourselves of how we would like to position the camera and ensure that our audio levels were set to the correct setting. After checking that everything was functioning correctly, we began to record our Vox Pop Interviews. In order to gain a variety of responses, we interviewed several members of our own class, a few lecturers, and other students around the college. Whilst the recording was taking place, we all focussed on our own tasks, however, we each offered our opinion on how the recording could be improved. For example, we would discuss finding a suitable background for the subject before beginning, as well as taking it in turns to listen to the audio recordings to ensure the levels were at a suitable volume.

Once we had collected several responses, we were then challenged with editing our Vox Pops together into a mini-documentary film. Since the video and audio elements had both been recorded on different devices, we had the task of syncing the two together. In order to do this, we had to use the editing software, Avid. When uploading our files into different ‘Bins’, titled ‘Audio’ and ‘Video’, we then had to create a separate bin named ‘Sync’, which is where we would merge the two elements. We did this by adding inpoints and outpoints onto our files and then using the feature, ‘AutoSync’. This aspect of Avid allows the two files to be compiled together, ensuring that the video and the sound match together appropriately. After syncing all of the files, we then had to create a smooth sequence by adding the clips in the correct place on the timeline. Instead of using on-screen text to present the questions, we recorded a member of our group speaking them in order to give it a more natural feel.

Overall, I feel that this project has been beneficial as it has given me a greater understanding on the Vox Pops technique and has allowed me to experiment with this in my own way. Given this, should I decide to record Vox Pops for future projects, I will now have a better idea of how to conduct one and in which situations they are commonly used. If I was to complete this task again, I think that it would be useful to pay greater attention to the lighting as several of the shots were either over or under exposed. In addition to this, it would also be important to determine the audio levels based on someone’s tone and volume of voice. For example, some audio recordings sounded too quiet as the person may have been whispering, whereas others sounded slightly louder. This was not a major issue as I was able to adjust this in Avid. In conclusion, I found this task very helpful, and it has given me more confidence to use Vox Pops again in the future.

Week 4 - Documentary Piece to Camera

Loved By All - The Story of Apa Sherpa: Breathtaking Look at the Man Who Climbed Everest 21 Times | Short Film Showcase - YouTube

This week, we have been asked to select a documentary, create a short script explaining its conventions and record a piece to camera. Recording pieces to the camera are a particularly common aspect of documentary making, especially in interviews. Therefore, it is important to know how to conduct one of these and trial our skills on both sides of the camera.

When deciding which documentary I wanted to comment on, I knew that there were various documentaries of a wide range of genres and subjects to choose from. Perhaps one of the biggest forms of documentaries currently is the focus on Nature and Earth. Given this, I Decided to watch a few, however, I soon realised that these types of documentaries were possibly too complex and long in length. In our brief, it was outlined that our piece to camera must be a maximum of 2 minutes long. This would not give me enough time to cover an hour long documentary, therefore, I decided to look at shorter documentaries.

One which I discovered was, 'Loved by All', made up as part of a national Geographic mini-series. It was around 15 minutes in length which seemed a suitable time to discuss the entirety of the short film. It follows the story of a Nepali Sherpa who works as a porter on Mount Everest. THE ROLE OF A PORTER IS TO ASSIST THOSE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN AND TRANSPORTING THEIR BELONGINGS. Apa, the man who the documentary follows shares his story of how he lost his father, who was also a porter, at a young age, and also went onto to climb the mountain 21 times. Although in the beginning this is portrayed as an achievement, the viewer is soon introduced to the harsh realities of such a gruelling job. The overall aim of the documentary is to highlight the work of the Sherpas and show appreciation to how much they have sacrificed to help others achieve their dreams.

In preparation for filming my piece to camera, I have made a few notes and constructed a loose script below, outlining some of the points that I intend to discuss.

'This short documentary film tells the story of a Nepali man who lives in the ‘shadows of the mountains’, close to Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. Like many Nepali people, he was provided with very little education and was expected to grow up to become a High-Altitude Porter. This involves climbing the mountains whilst transporting equipment and working in harsh weather conditions. Since the people of Nepal are not given any education, they have very little choice to pursue anything other than porting.

The documentary strongly relies on voice-overs from Apa himself, as well as using re-enactment footage to portray the brutal reality of his life. The prominent mode of documentary that is used in this short film is the Poetic Mode. Some of the common conventions that are presented are that a strong atmosphere is being implemented to address the sensitive tone of the narrative. This is influenced by the use of background music, which changes throughout to reflect the ever-changing mood from the fearful present to the hopeful future. In addition to this, there is a bold cinematic sequence of unrelated shots which have been cut together to portray young Apas realisation of what lies ahead of him, following in the footsteps of his ancestors. This documentary is clearly, strongly driven by emotion and includes several anecdotes throughout to provide a heart-breaking backstory to the main narrative. Remaining in the poetic method, the documentary doesn’t have a conventional narrative structure, but rather explores the overall story of Apa and the journey which he has been on.

Personally, one of the moments that I found particularly striking, was when Apa spoke the line, ‘Imagine being able to chase your dream’. This powerful statement exposes the fact that Apa and the Sherpas continuously help those whose dream it is to conquer the mountain, without ever being given the chance to aim for their own dreams, let alone achieve them. At the end of the film, we see Apa change his course in helping to set up education facilities for the Himalayan people, giving them a chance at a greater future. Therefore, I feel that the message behind this film is to highlight the importance of helping others, but to also never give up on your own objectives.'

Week 5 - Documentary Piece to Camera Continued

This week, we have been continuing to work on our piece to camera, when filming ourselves talking about our chosen documentary. Last week, I wrote a brief script with some of the key elements of the documentary that I wanted to discuss. This will help prompt me when filming.

When thinking about the style in which I will film my video, I wanted to present it in a documentary type way. In some documentaries, the subject can often be seen speaking directly to the camera, or to the side of it. For my film, I chose to speak to the camera directly, as if I was analysing the documentary, and sharing my thoughts personally with the viewer. I felt that this would be the best way to present my piece to camera as it would help to keep the viewer engaged with what I am saying and feel as though they are included in the video itself. Furthermore, I needed to think about where I would film my video and what background I would use. In some cases, interviews are filmed with relevant objects in the background, relating to the subject matter, however, others are filmed against a clear backdrop. When thinking about my own video, I felt that the latter option would be the most suitable as it would allow the viewer to remain focused and not become distracted.

Furthermore, I found it useful to use a tripod when filming my piece so that the camera was steady and to refrain from any shaky movements. When considering the rule of thirds, I decided to position myself in the centre of the shot. I chose to do this as I thought it felt more natural when speaking to the camera directly. Alternatively, another option would have been to be positioned either side of the central part of the shot, however, this would commonly be used when the person is speaking to the side of the camera, and when using onscreen text to detail their name and occupation. Also, it is important that the sound on the video is of a high quality, as we learnt last week when studying the Vox Pops method. Having previously discovered that an external microphone often records better quality sound than the camera itself, I decided to use an alternative mic. Similar to the task last week, I then had to match the sound together to ensure that the video and audio elements were synced. I have included my final piece to the camera below.

Upon reflection, I feel that I was able to successfully record my piece to camera using a suitable background, and syncing my video and audio correctly. However, One of the key points that I struggled with when completing this task was the time limit/. When given the brief, we were told that the video had to be a maximum of two minutes long, however, my final video ended at 2 minutes, 10 seconds. Whilst I feel that this time is close to the aimed duration, it prompted me to think about ways I could have shortened the length of my video. One option would have been to cut some parts of my script or to make it less wordy, focusing specifically on the facts. Another would have been to use less footage from the documentary itself and not leave as many gaps between each part of the script that was spoken. Keeping this in mind, during the editing process, I decided to overlay the documentary footage on top of the piece to camera, so that there was more audio of me speaking over the footage. By using this method, it allowed me to use the time appropriately and present more information to the viewer, explaining the documentary as they were watching it. When talking to my peers and Tutors about my film, they suggested that, in order to improve the video, it could be beneficial to add some depth to the recording. A which in which I could do this would be to move further away from background, or alternatively, use 3 point lighting. This would give the shot more shadows and improve the visual element. Furthermore, I could improve depth by using a different background which is visually more interesting than a block colour. However, if I was to do this, I would need to be wary of whether it could cause distraction. Overall, I feel that I was able to clearly articulate my words and convey the relevant parts of my script through my piece to camera.

Week 6 - Interview Techniques Analysis

From Mr Bean to Blackadder, Rowan Atkinson Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters - YouTube

In this short interview by 'British GQ', comedy actor, Rowan Atkinson details some of his most well-known roles. This interview has been structurally filmed in an unconventional format, unlike most interviews which involve a conversation between two people (the interviewer and the interviewee). In contrast to this, Atkinson can be seen describing each of his characters to somebody off screen, therefore, this can be classed as an interview, as he is not speaking directly to the camera. Very little 'mise-en-scene' has been used in this interview as Atkinson is positioned in front of a block grey background. However, this does not affect the interview as a whole as it allows the viewer to concentrate on the subject and avoids distraction. It instantly becomes apparent that the interview has been filmed in a studio environment, with the use of unnatural lighting. Whilst this interview is not classed as a documentary, it does use some common documentary features such as including archived footage to back up the point being made. When analysing the interview in more depth, it becomes clear that a variety of shot types have been used throughout to prevent it from feeling static. Some of the shot types that have been used are a medium shot, a medium close up, and a close up. These shot types have been appropriately cut into the edit at relevant moments in the interview, helping the video to flow. When thinking about the sound that has been recorded for the interview, it is clear that it is of a high quality. whilst at some points it is possible, perhaps intentionally, to hear the interviewer asking Atkinson a question, it is apparent that the main subject being recorded is the interviewee. There are a few moments where non-diegetic music has been used, for example, in the opening title sequence and archived footage, however, the main source of sound is Atkinson's voice. As this is not a conventional interview, the language used is fairly informal and appears more like a relaxed conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee. Throughout the interview, Atkinson uses several bold arm gestures and body language to emphasise the points that he is making, therefore, setting a jubilant and celebratory tone to the interview as a whole. Overall, I decided to analyse this interview as I felt it was different to the common interview and explored a different way to present and share information. The tone of the film was relaxed, yet informative, which is an aspect I WILL AIM TO IMPLEMENT WHEN CONDUCTING MY OWN INTERVIEWS TO ENSURE THAT I gain the most out of my interviewee.

President Barack Obama on Tweeting and Smartphones - YouTube

In this interview conducted by Jimmy Kimmel, the former President of the USA shares his views on modern technology and reveals whether he uses it himself. Unlike the first interview that I decided to analyse, this interview has been filmed in a more conventional way as it shows two people having a conversation in a studio environment. It shows the interviewer and the interviewee clearly engaging with each other and openly discussing various subjects. One of the main comparisons between the two interviews is that in this interview, the interviewer can be seen on screen and is actively participating in the interview itself. Furthermore, although this interview is also filmed in a studio environment, it is a live, televised programme with a live audience, therefore, the mise-en-scene is slightly different. Similar to most Talk Show formats, the set includes a night time backdrop, a desk, and a sofa for the interviewee to sit on. Also, due to this being a live programme, there are a considerable amount less of shot types, with the only two shot types used being a long shot of the two subjects, and a close up of the interviewee. Although this seems like a small amount of shot types, it works well and allows the viewer to remain focussed on the subject. When analysing the sound, the main source of sound comes from the interviewer and the interviewee, however, the sound of the audience also plays a big role in this interview. The audience help to build the ambience and tone whilst also reacting to comments made by the subjects, enforcing the general view on the opinions shared. Whilst the last interview was heavily conversational, this interview was built on direct questions to Obama. This being said, the questions were asked in an informal way, much in comparison to the formal situations he may often be found in, therefore, this interviewed offered a different and unique perspective of the President. This tone can also be felt through the body language of Kimmel and Obama, providing a calm and relaxed environment. Overall, I chose this interview as it displayed the common conventions of an interview and had several contrasts to the first interview that I chose. I will remember some of the conventions used in this interview when filming my own interviews in the future.

Half Term Task - Filming a Tutorial Video

During the half term, we were tasked with filming a short tutorial video, guiding the viewer through a step by step process of carrying out a task. We were asked to specifically think about the positioning of the camera and the different shot types that we could include when filming our video. We were also asked to consider the length of the video, attempting to keep it to a 1-2 minute duration.

After some thought, I decided that I would film my tutorial based around creating a paper aeroplane. Whilst this is a basic and simple activity, I thought that it would allow me to showcase a clear step by step process. Before filming, I planned out how I would film the video and the shot types I would need to use. After doing so, I set up my camera and tripod to allow for a steady shot and begun to film.

Once I had collected all of the relevant footage, I started to edit my video together. I used several 'text cards' to introduce the video and explain each step. I have included a copy of my tutorial video below.

Overall, I was pleased with how the video turned out, however, if I was to carry out this task again in the future, I would think more carefully about the use of lighting when filming as this was an aspect that I needed to adjust during the post production process.

Week 7 - Filming and Editing an interview

This week, we CONTINUED TO LOOK AT THE COMMON INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES AND THE STEPS THAT MUST BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO FILM AND EDIT AN INTERVIEW SUCCESSFULLY. When thinking back to the examples that we watched last week, I was able to identify some of the common conventions and think about why they might have been used and how they enhance the overall interview.

We learnt that, before recording the interview, it is important to prepare several key aspects first. One of which is to conduct some research into the subject or the interviewee that you are discussing. This will help to give you a brief, background idea on the topic, encouraging you to generate relevant questions. It is essential to have prepared your questions before beginning the interview, so you know what you want to ask the interviewee and have a basic vision of what you will talk about. Throughout the interview, it is also often common for the interviewer to ask supplementary questions if necessary to the point being made. This would help to gain more information and knowledge from the interviewee, allowing for more footage to be used in the edit. We also learnt about the importance of having an interesting and appropriate backdrop for our interview. It should be relatively basic, not drawing attention away from the subject, however, could include some objects or backdrops that are relevant to what is being spoken about. Once deciding on a location, it would also be sensible to do a recce to evaluate the surroundings and identify any possible problems and how they could be solved. A location recce would also give you the opportunity to test the audio quality in the surroundings, allowing you to understand if the audio quality would be suitable when it comes to recording the interview. When recording the audio its important to remember that the audio levels should be between -6 and -12 on the recorder, allowing for some possible sudden, loud sounds. It is worth noting that it is important to have audio samples before recording any pieces of audio for an interview.

Some further things to consider when preparing for and filming an interview are the varied shot types used, the setup of the interview (whether the interviewee is standing or seated), and to set the White Balance appropriately to the setting. Another point is to ensure that the camera is focussed and aligned with the eyeline of the subject. It is common for the eyeline to be the particular focus in interviews so that it creates and intimate tone for what the person is saying. In order to check this you can look through the viewfinder on the camera to ensure it is focussed and to analyse the framing of the scene and decide if there are any background distractions. It is also important to think about filming 'noddies' when recording the interview. Noddies are short clips of the interview reacting to what the interviewee is saying. These can be filmed with the interviewer showing a range of different emotions which can then be used in the edit to help make the interview seem like a normal conversation. Like with many TV and film scenes, it is essential to consider the lighting and sound, particularly so when filming interviews. When setting up for the interview, neither person should be placed in front of a bright background as this will affect the contrast and cast a darker light onto the subject. The person should be stood or seated in front of a dark background and be well lit so that they are clearly visible. It is also important that they are not directly positioned closely to the background, however, are further forward allowing for some depth in the shot. Finally, its wise to leave a few seconds after the interview has finished, not cutting the filming immediately. This allows for a more effective end result when the interview is being edited together.

After learning this new information, we were tasked to form groups and film a short interview scene. We would need to assign roles and decide on the topic that we were going to discuss. We concluded that one of the most informative subjects that we could all relate to and understand would be, 'Film and TV'. The five main questions that we decided on are listed below-

- Why did you want to study Film and Tv?

- What aspects of the course do you enjoy?

- What has been your favourite project so far?

- Who inspires you in the Film and TV industry?

- What career path do you wish to pursue in the future?

WHEN IT CAME TO FILMING OUR INTERVIEW, WE DECIDED THAT THE BEST LOCATION WOULD BE THE RADIO STUDIO. This quiet space would allow us to avoid any distractions and concentrate on the video and audio qualities. Before filming, we took some time do conduct a brief location recce when testing the sound quality in the room. On several attempts, we discovered that we were picking up some background noise, however, if we spoke louder and clearer, this noise would deduce. This is something that we learnt about and have been able to identify in practise today. After a few more tests we were happy with how the audio sounded and set up the camera. Our first shot would be a wide, introduction shot, and would need to fit both the interviewer and interviewee in shot in order to establish the scene. We set the camera up in a central position and recorded the opening scene, both on the camera, and the sound recorder which we would then sync together in the edit. After this, we recorded the interviewee alone, answering the questions, with the interviewer out of shot. We did this several times to ensure that we were happy with all elements of filming. In contrast to this, we then filmed the interviewer asking the questions and reacting to the interviewees answers. Finally, we filmed the closing wide shot which would be used to end the interview. Whilst in production, we consistently checked the audio and video recordings to ensure that they were a suitable standard and wouldn't cause an issue when editing.

After finishing our filming, we started to edit the interview together in Avid. As we had recorded different video and audio files, the first task was to sync these two mediums together, so that the audio recording was applied to the correct video. After doing this on all four pieces of footage, it was time to place these into the timeline to form the video. When doing so, there were one or two things that I noticed could have been improved on. When looking at the scene with Molly, the interviewee, it appeared that the lighting on her face was slightly dark. The main source of light in this scene was a back light, therefore casting a darker shadow onto her face. Had we have had the opportunity to record this again, it would be useful to use either a front light or a key light to ensure that she was appropriately lit and matched the light on the interviewer. Alternatively, we could adjust the gamma and gain settings in post production to enhance the brightness. Furthermore, there were a few objects, such as plugs and wires, in the background of our shot that we had not previously noticed. This was something that we learnt about and has reminded me of the importance of checking the background of the shot before filming.

However, with this being said, I do feel that we have been able to clearly demonstrate several interview techniques in our short video and have been able to practise these skills first hand. We were able to ensure that the focus, eyeline and audio levels were correct when conducting our interview. In the future, I will continue to remind myself of the common interview techniques and most importantly, always be aware of the little details that can affect the end product.

Before starting to film, we each assigned roles for ourselves to carry out when setting up and recording in the TV Studio. Some of the roles included operating the camera, recording the audio, and performing against the green screen. One of the key roles that we all assisted on was the setting up of the studio lights. As we had previously learnt, it is essential for the subject and the green screen to be well lit, ensuring that there would be a clear contrast between the person and the screen. After recording our pieces to camera and testing the quality of the audio, we then began to edit our videos together. We uploaded our footage into Avid and created several bins which would allow us to separate our video and audio files, as well as the images we would use for our background after completing the key removal process. Overall, when reflecting on the project as a whole, I feel that we were able to successfully plan a narrative and carry this out when filming our green screen piece. When looking at the finalised video, there are a few elements which could have been smoother, particularly the green edges around the subject. The main reason for this could have been due to the fact that this specific area was poorly lit, or that a shadow was cast onto the green screen. In order to prevent this issue happening again in the future, we would make sure that the subject and background is appropriately lit, or alternatively, adjust this during the post production process. This being said, I am pleased with our first attempt at using a green screen and will keep all of the factors that we have learnt in mind for the future.

Week 8 - Analysing The News and Green Screen Task

This week, we have been learning about the common codes and conventions o News Programmes. We have been tasked with selecting several news clips and analyse them based on the points that we have learnt.

ITV News at Ten Opening - ITV News at Ten extended open - 8.9.2022 - YouTube

In this short clip from the opening of ITV News at Ten, we are immediately able to identify some of the common codes and conventions of News Reading. The opening of the programme reflects on the death of Queen Elizabeth and introduces the content which will be covered throughout the show. In many late evening news programmes, it is common that the presenter will be dressed in formal clothing and sat behind a desk. This implies the idea that there is a precise and strict tone. However, in this clip, the presenters are also dressed in black, as a mark of respect whilst also setting the sombre atmosphere. Alongside this, there are also snippets of dramatic music being played to perhaps aim to engage the viewer and catch their attention. This also allows for the stories being presented to be heightened and adds more dramatic value to them. It is interesting to note the mode of address that can be seen in this clip as it is different to the regular news tone. The presenter speaks in a manner that is confident, however, also in a calm and respectable way. Usually, presenters would chose to speak with a more persuasive tone, especially when covering a highly debatable topic. In a regular News at Ten programme, the show would cover a broad range of ‘Hard News’ topics, whilst also featuring Sport and Weather segments. This helps to break up the programme to allow for a varied range of news to be presented. These segments are sometimes presented using VT’s and linking to Field Reporters. This ensures that the News Presenter does not talk constantly and for a long period of time.

Sky News - Man arrested after eggs are thrown at King Charles - YouTube

In this report by Sky News, we are shown the moment that a protester throws eggs at the King. Whilst this is still ‘Hard News’, it is not ‘Breaking’ and therefore has been curated to act as a segment in a live programme. The reporter introduces the segment through the use of a voice over, explaining the situation and how the event unfolded. Later in the report, we then see the reporter interacting with the public and asking them questions about the scenario. This footage could be seen as a Field Interview, as it shows the reporter interacting with the potential audience at the scene of the event. When broadcasting the full programme, there would have been a live link at the start of the VT from the presenter, explaining what the viewer is about to see. At the end of the report, the field reporter would then pass focus back to the live presenter. By using ‘links’ in a News programme, it allows for a seamless transition between the presenter and reporter. This report also features ‘actuality footage’, a common convention in News broadcasting. This means that real-life footage has been used to support the story or point being made. In this case, the report uses a mixture of professional News footage, and footage which has been provided by the general public. As the report progresses, we are shown the aftermath of the event and what occurred after it had taken place. This gives the viewer an overall closure on the story and provides them with a clear arc, from start to finish.

Campmates anger as Matt Hancock enters, I'm a Celebrity jungle | 5 News - YouTube

This report by ‘5 News’ discusses the shock entry of former health secretary, Matt Hancock, into the I’m a Celebrity Jungle. Similar to the last report, it has been constructed in a way that will be used as a segment within a live programme. It begins with some actuality footage of Matt Hancock in the jungle, introducing the story and immediately showing the viewer what the report will cover. As common with these types of reports, it is paired with a narration from the reporter, which is played over the top of the footage. Furthermore, we are also shown footage from some of the other campmates, who share their own views on the situation. I believe that this report is a cross between hard and soft news, as, on one hand, the story as a whole is dominating the news and is one of the top national headlines, however, it could also be viewed as soft news as it focusses on a celebrity gossip which is in the human interest. As the interview progresses, we are also shown some ‘interviews’ from other celebrities who have a link to the story. However, these interview scenes aren’t particularly conventional, yet, just present the person sharing their thoughts and feelings with the viewer. When watching this news report, I noticed that an overall negative tone was being presented on the topic being discussed, with no positive reflections being shared. As we previously learnt, some news channels have a tendency to take different sides and approaches on particular stories as an attempt of persuasion with their viewer. This can sometimes have a negative effect on the news company and can cause them to gain a bad reputation, however, in this given report, the mood reflected is the overall atmosphere on the situation as a whole.

Also this week, we started to look at the Green Screen technique, and particularly how it is used in News reporting. Perhaps the most cliché green screen idea is that it is used for weather reports during news programmes, however, green screens actually have much wider uses. As well as on the news, green screens are also used when making blockbuster films in order to portray a different background to that which has been filmed. When working with a green screen, the subject must be positioned at a suitable distance from the screen (preventing a shadow) and present or act in the way that they are instructed. After this, the footage is then edited in post production through the Chroma Key process. Throughout this process, the background colour (often green or blue) is removed and replaced with the chosen background. However, when filming, it is important to not wear either of these colours as this will also be removed, causing some complications when editing.

After learning some of the basic rules of working with a green screen, we were tasked, in groups, to film our own news scene which we could then replace the background with a setting of our choice. after some discussion as a group, we decided on our idea and made some notes which would help us when filming. We chose not to write a specific script as the news should feel natural, therefore we felt some brief notes would be a more suitable option. I have included the notes below.

'What?

- An animal handler lost the snake after attending an event nearby.

Who?

- Snake

Where?

- Supermarket

When?

- A month ago.

How?

- Snake refused to leave and could not be escorted from the store, so instead it was given a job as an employee.

Thank you, Theresa. I am here at Aisles of Smiles, where a snake has been employed after refusing to leave. It was on the 12th of October when the snake escaped from his owner, Terry, and started to build a life of his own. Previously, the snake worked with an Animal Handler, visiting events and parties. After looking at his impressive CV, the manager decided that he should be immediately employed as the assistant manager. Jake, the snake, has proved to be a model employee and a has introduced a new rule that all workers must wear a top hat whilst in the store. I personally don’t believe that a snake is capable of running a store like this.

Snake gets closer to field reporter in air vent.

I think it’s a mockery to people who have been working in this store for years as they deserve to be promoted first.

Snake comes closer on the shelf.

I don’t think that anyone should trust this snake.

Snake appears next to reporter.

You didn’t hear that did you? Back to the studio.'

Week 9 - Short Documentary Project - Generating Ideas

Over the next few weeks, we have been tasked with creating our own short documentary, based on a topic of our choice. Using all of the knowledge that we have compiled over the past 8 weeks, we will attempt to create a documentary film which covers a subject that we feel passionate about and that has a story that we feel needs to be told. In order to fuel our thinking, we watched several YouTube videos which talked about the key fundamentals of documentary making and the attributes it must have when wanting to engage the viewer. One of the points that I took away from this was to base your documentary on a topic that is currently relevant. This will help to catch the viewers attention if it is something that they may already be slightly aware of. However, this being said, it also needs to be something that the filmmaker believes in so that the documentary is made with a strong interest in the topic being discussed. Before starting to generate some initial ideas, we were encouraged to consider the following questions about our documentaries; Why is the story that you are trying to tell important? What perspective of the story are you trying to tell? How will you make people care about your story? What is the overall message behind your documentary? If focussing on a common topic, how can your documentary be told in a unique way, differentiating from other documentaries on the same subject?

After this, I began to think about some of the possible ideas that my documentary could be based around. One of the first ideas that came to mind was the evolution of technology and social media. In todays world, social media continues to grow and adapt all of the time, therefore, there is always a new take to be had on the topic. A common argument about social media is whether it is mostly beneficial or unbeneficial, or has elements of both, to everyday life. Personally, I think it could be interesting to gain a variety of views and opinions on social media and technology as a whole, instead of focussing specifically on one person, with one view, however, this is something that I will consider in more depth, should I choose to go ahead with this idea. Furthermore, another idea that I had was to focus on the topic of climate change. Similar to social media, Climate Change is also a dominating social and environmental discussion. Commonly, climate change often discusses the ways to prevent its growing rate, however, it could be interesting and unique to look at the root of how the problem started, and how it has developed over time. Once again, this idea would allow me to convey a message to my viewer whilst highlighting some important information. Finally, my third idea would be based around the topic of, The News. When thinking about the news in the modern world, there are various different sources as to where news can be found and I personally find it interesting to think about how people can be easily led by fake news. Also, the news often reports on important topics, such as mental health, but it could be interesting to think about how the news itself influences mental health, particularly in young people. I have included a mind map below, detailing some of my ideas.

dc395020666f11edad4be5482572373a.map.jpg

Link to Mindmap: Free mind map (mindmup.com)

SWOT Analysis

Idea 1 - Technology and SOCIAL media

When thinking about the possible strengths of my first idea, I think that social media and technology is a prominent topic that would resonate with a wide audience. Furthermore, there are many different views and opinions on this subject, therefore, it would allow me to explore each of these, or alternatively, focus on one in particular. However, a weakness that this idea could present will be that it is too cliché and uninteresting for the viewer. This topic has already been widely covered, therefore it would be necessary for me to find a unique angle in which I could report this subject. The main opportunity that this idea would allow for is to spread a message to the viewer of the effects of technology and social media. I feel that it is important to understand the effects that social media can have, how it makes a personal feel, emotionally and physically, and why that is. A possible threat that this idea could pose would be sourcing a vast array of people, of all different ages and backgrounds, to participate in interviews and share their views on the topics. In order to combat this possible set back, I would need to review the amount of people that are willing to participate, determining whether the idea could progress forward.

IDEA 2 - Climate Change

When considering the possible strengths of my second idea, which would focus on climate change, I think that it allows for an interesting and intriguing argument to be made, inviting the viewer to question their own thoughts, feelings and actions along the way. With this being said, I also think that this idea would be the hardest to film in a short space of time as I don't believe it will be able to portray a true representation of long term changes. In many cases, Climate change documentaries are filmed over a long period in order to gain evidence and back up the points that are being made. This being said, this documentary would offer a chance to spread an important message, and highlight the everyday impacts of climate change. It would provide an opportunity to educate the viewer and encourage them to take action. One of the main threats of this idea is, as previously mentioned, the timescale that is available to me. Unlike some documentaries, I do not have long periods of time to record and film over, therefore, the footage that I could obtain would be limited and restricting. This could have an overall effect on the documentary as a whole, therefore, it is important to consider these aspects before making an informed decision on which idea I will progress with.

Idea 3 - The News

When looking at the possible idea of basing my documentary around news and the effects that it can have, one of the key strengths would be that I could combine a mixtures of my own, actuality footage, as well as archived footage, in order to piece together a story which presents a message. Furthermore, I am also interested in the concept of fast-changing news and the ability it has to grab the viewers/readers attention. This project would allow me to explore this in further depth and try to understand the method behind how reporters and news teams achieve this. A weakness to this project would be sourcing the correct people to interview. Even though I could speak to members of the public, it would be interesting to talk to industry professionals, however, as I do not know any personally, this could be a downfall to this idea and could leave the documentary having less of an impact. Although, this documentary would provide an opportunity to gain real life views and opinions and attempt to understand how the news effects young people and their mental health. This would allow me to present clear information on a subject, and convey a message for the viewer to consider. One of the main threats of this idea would be sourcing and gaining rights to use archived footage in my documentary. I would also need to ensure that the archived media that I wanted to use would be appropriate and relevant to the topic being discussed. This is something that I can research further if deciding to move forward with this idea.

Short Documentary Ideas questionnaire

After completing a SWOT analysis for each idea, we were then tasked with creating our own questionnaires, detailing each idea, which we could then share with our peers to gain feedback. It is important to gain others views and opinions on your ideas as it may present ideas that you had not previously anticipated. I have included a copy of my questionnaire below, as well as a few of the responses that I received.

Which Idea do you think is the strongest, and why?

Which Idea do you think is the weakest, and why?

How could each idea be improved to make it more interesting for the viewer?

Is there anything that I could explore further with this idea?

After collecting a variety of responses from my 'documentary ideas' questionnaire, I now need to make an informed judgement on which Idea I would like to move forward with. When looking at the results, the overwhelming majority lies with idea 1, which would explore the rise of technology and social media and how that has an effect on our everyday lives. In the overall poll, this idea received 8 votes, whilst idea 2, which focussed on climate change, received 4. When looking at the Reponses for which idea they felt was the strongest, it was interesting to see the respondents view. One of the ideas that particularly intrigued me was the fact that idea 1 could have an emotional effect on the viewer, as well as an educational one. This idea could have the strongest connection with the audience as it will feel relatable and understandable to the viewer. Also, it would include views and opinions from members of the public, which could also resonate with the audience. When looking at idea 3, it was the option that received the least amount of votes, along with being the most voted weakest idea. I believe that, based on this feedback, it would not be wise to progress with this idea. I have learnt the importance of closely considering feedback from your potential target audience, and if it does not initially grab their attention, the likelihood is that they will not want to watch the documentary. In addition to this, it was idea 2 that also gained a fewer amount of votes, therefore, although, some people seemed intrigued by the idea, the cons of this option slightly overweigh the pros. With all of this being considered, I think that it would be the most sensible option to progress with idea 1 as this seems to be the idea that has captured the most amount of interest. Personally, I feel that I will be able to be creative with this idea and implement the documentary skills and techniques that I have learnt over the past few weeks. Next week, I will need to begin to look at constructing a research plan to ensure that I am aware of the topics that I need to cover.

Week 10 - Short Documentary Project - Research Plan

This week, we began to look at the research section of our project when constructing an initial research plan. After discussing my idea with my peers and lecturers, and getting my idea approved, I then had to consider the elements that I would need to research in order to help to progress with my project. Some of these aspects included topic information, Documentary structures, Technical approaches and my target audience. By breaking down my research into sections, it will allow me to remain focussed on each point and ensure that I am covering each element in depth. I detailed each section of my research in my research plan, which I have included below.

This week, Now that I had created my initial research plan, I will need to conduct my own research to ensure that I am building on my knowledge and skills in preparation for the production stage. Throughout the course of my research, I will continue to refer back to my research plan so that I am regularly reviewing my progress. This will allow me to keep track on what I have researched, as well as the aspects that I still need to look into in further depth. Along the way, I expect that further research questions will arise when conducting other aspects of my research which will enhance the work that I am doing.

Week 10 - Short Documentary Project - Topic/ Target Audience Research

How does social media affect and influence the decisions that we make?

Over the past couple of decades, social media has continued to grow and expand, becoming a natural aspect of our everyday lives. However, I am intrigued to find out how much power social media has over what we do and the decisions that we make on a daily basis. As social media has advanced, it has become its own figure of power and can strongly influence what we do and how we feel. There is a widespread argument that social media can have a negative effect on a young persons mental health, however, I am interested to know how this can differ based on how different generations consume their media. When doing some online research, an article by Soft Space Solutions suggests that social media has an 'ability to provide real-time updates and information and thus it has become the main source of news for many', proving the point that social media has a dominance over all of our lives. The report then goes on to discuss that social media in general can have an overall influence on how people build their relationships and friendship circles online. Before social media, this would have been a part of life which would have been totally fulfilled in a personal setting, highlighting the strong effect that social media can have on how we live our lives and the connections that we make. In addition to this, the article also explains that 'Social media has the ability to influence our thought-process and forces us to give a second opinion on many things'. I find this point particularly interesting because it looks at the fact that, through the use of social media, we are exposed to a vast amount of sources that we might not have been without it, which then immediately encourages us to form an opinion on it, often without realising that we are doing it. A danger of this is that we are often not given the entire story, leading to our judgements sometimes being biased or uninformed. This being said, undoubtedly, we all do it, as we are so commonly persuaded or swayed by the influence of social media. When researching some more into this theory of persuasion, an article by Penn State suggests that, 'we may conform to social norms and begin to change our opinions based on what society believes acceptable behaviours to be' Over the past few years, the idea that many people choose to conform to social norms has grown, suggesting that our opinions and views are sometimes not our own, but the thoughts that society thinks to be appropriate. It is often down to social media that fuels these ideas and beliefs to spiral, however, sometimes, it can be used to highlight and discuss important issues. I will research the ideology of social media influence when watching several videos which discuss the science behind the topic.

How will my topic relate to my target audience?

Furthermore, in order to help me gain some first hand information, I decided to create my own questionnaire which would ask a range of broad and specific questions based on a persons social media usage and how it affects their lives. I have included my questionnaire, as well as its findings below.

'The Influences of Social Media' Questionnaire Link

When writing my questionnaire, the first thing that I needed to ask was for the respondents' age. This is a vital part of my research, as it will allow me to understand different generational views on social media and technology. As seen in the table below, I have been able to collect a vast variety of ages, giving me the opportunity to establish the different opinions. This piece of information will prove extremely useful to me as my research develops.

Secondly, I wanted to find out which social media platforms were the most popular in different age categories. For this question, I listed a selection of some of the most well known social media apps, and asked my respondents to tick a box next to each one that they use. Out of the 14 options that were listed, all received at least one vote, apart from one. This alone clearly shows the impact and importance that social media has on the lives of those who are in their teens, and those who are in their 60s, and how it can prove a universal platform for a range of people. Unsurprisingly, the three most common platforms used were WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube, with the least being Reddit and Tumblr. When researching this further, I might like to look into why each of these options are the most popular, or vice versa, and how they keep their users engaged on a regular basis.

Questions 3 and 4 of the survey were all about whether the respondents enjoy using social media, and how long they use it for. These two questions go hand in hand, as, you would expect, that if a person enjoys social media, then they would be inclined to use it more often. It was interesting to note that 7 out of the 8 people said that they enjoyed social media, with only 1 person choosing 'no'. The person that chose 'no', was the same person who chose the first option on question 3, proving the idea that they would use social media less. I feel slightly disappointed with the answers to question 3 as I don't feel that it gave me a clear lead on one option. In future questionnaires, I could narrow down the options available in order to restrict the choices that the person could select.

When looking at the answers for question 5, I was quite surprised by the responses that I had received. I had previously anticipated that social media could have a bigger effect on the every day decisions that we make, however, this question seemed to advise otherwise. This being said, I was able to relate to the answers explaining that it may 'prompt them to look into a subject further' and that 'ads and opinions' can sometimes influence ideas. This is something that I will research in further depth when continuing with my research.

Question 6 looked at how social media can have an influence on views and opinions in general and I was curious to see the mixture of responses that I received. The overall feeling was that it has a very little effect on influencing views, with some respondents insisting that they 'make up their own minds'. Whilst this may be true in some cases, I am keen to explore further how social media can have an influence, often without us even realising it. Some respondents also suggested that social media can open their minds to other opinions, focussing on not just their own views, but others too.

Question 7 explored the reasons behind why people use social media, and how it can be a useful tool in their lives. It was intriguing to see that every person who responded choice the first option which was to connect with others. The second most popular options were, 'Accessing the News' and 'Entertainment purposes', with the least being, 'Posting Content' I feel that, by including this question, it gives me a clear indicator for why people use social media, allowing me to discuss the thinking behind this within my documentary.

For the final question, I asked my respondents to speak about their personal views on the advantages and disadvantages of social media. Some of the advantages that were listed were that it is good for contacting people from around the world, it allows you to learn quickly on a daily basis, and that it makes it easier to shop. Most of the beneficial comments followed a similar theme throughout all of the answers, suggesting that these points are common for many people. When looking at the disadvantages that were listed, some of them included, the likelihood for being scammed is heightened, bullying is increased when people make nasty comments, and that social media can be highly addictive. The last point was extremely common throughout the answers, suggesting that, although it can be enjoyable, social media can also be a large distraction. When continuing with my research, I will endeavour to discover why social media can be so addictive, and explore ways that this can be tackled.

I found this research task extremely useful as I was able to gain both primary and secondary research on how social media can influence our views and opinions, and explore how it can have an affect on our everyday lives. Through conducting this research, I WAS EXPOSED TO SOME FURTHER RESEARCH QUESTIONS WHICH I will focus on further into the project. Overall, I am pleased with the information that I have gathered and think that it will prove very helpful when constructing my final documentary.

Week 11 - Short Documentary Project - Topic Research

What are the pros and cons of advancing technology?

When doing some online, secondary research, I aimed to uncover how technology has evolved and adapted over time, and whether it is beneficial or unbeneficial in our every day lives. When studying an article about the affects that technology has on society, I discovered an interesting point that I had not previously considered. We often view technology as the common devices, such as, mobile phones, computers, or iPads. however, it is easy to forget that technology has also advanced in many other ways, benefitting various sectors. One of which being the healthcare industry. Throughout the years, technology within the health sector has continued to grow and advance, and will continue to do so in the future, often helping to increase a persons wellbeing and lifespan. When looking at past documents and censuses, it is clear to understand that healthcare for the older generations was not as advanced, leading to an increase in illness, resulting in shorter lives. However, this has improved over the last few decades, and is expected to advance further in the future when new technology is discovered and new medicines are formed.

In addition to this, the technological growth also causes fear amongst many people when discussing the possibility of advanced robotic machines. One of the main concerns of this is that many people could be left without jobs, leaving robots to fill the positions AND COMPLETE TASKS MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN HUMANS COULD. This then raises the question of what humans will do when they are left jobless - with little or no income, how will they be able to afford to live and provide for themselves and their families? When reading an article from Planet Expat, they describe this term as 'technological unemployment', arguing that technology is actually removing more jobs than it is creating. Whilst this seems a disadvantage in the growing technological world, the article also argues that robots could have a 'positive impact on society' as we progress. Interestingly, they explain that, as technology evolves and adapts at a faster pace, humans will also do so, simultaneously. This point links to the idea of how people of a younger generation are more comfortable when using technology, as opposed to an older generation. Those who had grown up when modern technology was a fairly new concept and just starting to shape a glimpse at what the future could look like, would be less likely to adapt and learn at a quicker pace. In contrast to this, younger generations, such as Millennials' and Gen Z's, would be able to adapt to this quicker, as technology has now become more widespread, and is available to them in every corner of their lives. This is a point that I am keen to cover within my documentary and will aim to do so when discussing this idea with members of an older and a younger generation.

When thinking about how technology has developed over the years, it is clear to note that it has made a drastic impact on how people live their lives nowadays. The advancement in technology has undoubtedly made it easier for people to conduct research at a much faster pace, extract breaking news at the moment it is released, or, on a more wider scale, it allows quicker and easier access to various locations across the globe. In the past, without technology it would sometimes take days or weeks to travel from one destination to another, however, it is now possible for this to happen in a matter of hours. Therefore, technology has obviously made a large impact on the modern lifestyle. When producing my documentary, I am interested to speak with my interviewees and gain their own takes on whether they feel that technology in the modern world has allowed them to do more, and build on their knowledge. Whilst all of this information is now at our fingertips, it would also be argued that this has had a negative effect on many peoples motivation. Are younger people viewed as lazy for not having to work for longer periods of time to uncover the information they are aiming for? Or, are they fortunate and better educated because of the sources that are available to them? These are all questions that I will put to both my younger and my older interviewees.

Through conducting this exercise, I have discovered that for every advantage of technology, there is a disadvantage which goes hand in hand. For example, technology can physically improve equipment in the health sector, however, it can also have a negative effect on mental health. As much as technology can provide assistance in our lives, it can also be extremely costly, making it difficult to afford. Even though technology can offer a platform for connecting and advertising, it can also be hugely destructive and have a lack of privacy, exposing hackers to confidential and personal information. Even though I did not draw a simple, one sided answer from this research, I found it incredibly insightful and interesting, leaving me feeling more informed on the pros and cons of technology. I have uncovered that most of these views and opinions boil down to personal opinion, therefore, I am excited to learn more about this from my interviewees, hopefully allowing me to compare and analyse their answers.

Week 11 - Short Documentary Project - Project Proposal

In order to progress with our projects, it is essential to present a project proposal pitch to our lecturers to ensure that they, and we, had a clear vision of what our projects will look like, and how we will aim to create them. I have included my project proposal pitch below, alongside the feedback that I received.

Short Documentary Project Proposal Pitch PDF:

Project Proposal Pitch Feedback:

After presenting my project proposal pitch for my short documentary in front of my class and lecturers, I gained some feedback that I could think about and consider when moving forward. When speaking with my lecturer, they suggested that the idea of following my subjects around during their daily lives would be an interesting concept to see on screen. They spoke about how it would give a first hand and realistic view of how social media and technology can have an affect on someones day. Additionally, in terms of moving forward, they encouraged me to think carefully about the questions that I will ask my interviewees, and consider whether they are relevant to the topic being discussed. This is something I will look into further when conducting some more research on interview techniques. Overall, I was able to clearly present my idea to a larger audience, detailing various aspects that I will cover throughout the project.

Week 11 - Short Documentary Project - Analysing Similar Documentaries

As part of our research, we have been tasked with selecting two existing documentaries that have some relevance, and are similar in some way to the documentaries that we want to create.

Gen Z Discuss How They Use Social Media - Bing video

When watching the first video that I will analyse, I am aware that this short film only covers the interview aspect and is not regarded as a documentary as a whole. However, I decided to choose this video as they are certain elements of it which could be very beneficial to me when it comes to thinking about how I will structure my own documentary. For example, this simple, 5 minute video presents a mixture of Gen Z individuals who are then asked to discuss their thoughts and feelings on social media. Although we do not see or hear the interviewer, we can assume that they asked relatively open questions to allow for the individuals to discuss and expand on the points that they wish to make. It was interesting to see a variety of ideas and opinions being shared; something that I hope will be evident throughout my own documentary. This aspect alone allows for the viewer to consider their own views, and make judgement about whether they agree or disagree with the points that the people are making on screen.

From a stylistic point of view, this short documentary has been filmed in a bright, yet plain setting to avoid any background distractions, focussing solely on the interviewee. As I had previously discovered when studying interview techniques, filming against a block background can provide some challenges, particularly in the lighting department. Therefore, in order to prevent this I will choose to film my own interviews in a natural setting, however, I will ensure that the background is blurred and the person is focussed to allow for them to be the main subject. Furthermore, when thinking about Target Audience, this documentary is clearly aimed at a similar age range to those on screen. The Gen Z's discuss both their own positive and negative experiences with social media, which will no doubt attempt to resonate with their viewers. Contrastingly, the film could also interest those of an older generation who are interested to see how social media has had an effect on the lives of many young people. The prominent documentary mode that has been used in this film is participatory, as it focusses on the views of the interviewees, however, it also has elements of the poetic mode when using background music to reflect the topics being discussed. Having watched this video, there are several aspects that I have talked about here which I will endeavour to include in my own documentary.

A Drug Called Social Media | Short Documentary - Bing video

For my second documentary, I chose to analyse 'A drug called Social Media', as I was interested to identify the message behind this film. The title negatively portrays social media as a drug, therefore, I was intrigued to discover the way that it had been presented. Unlike the previous documentary, this film is much more informative and relies heavily on B-Roll footage. Although there are a few interviews throughout the film, it has mostly been created to display the dangers of social media usage and how it can negatively effect your everyday life. This information is presented through the use of a voice over - a technique that I also aim to include in my own documentary as a way of conveying facts and statistics. However, this information could be regarded as one sided and biased, focussing on its many disadvantages. Although this is an aspect that will be discussed in my documentary, I would like to structure mine from a more open viewpoint, relying on interviewees to share their personal opinions and experiences. One of the elements of this documentary that particularly intrigued me was the idea which is known as, 'The Magic of Maybe'. This concept explains the action of continually reaching for your technological device, in hopes that a notification awaits. The documentary explains that by doing this, it can cause a major distraction in your everyday tasks and can lead to mental health issues. This is an idea that I would like to research further and possibly explore in my own documentary.

As previously mentioned, this documentary relies on the use of B-Roll footage whilst attempting to convey an argument to the viewer, therefore, this film would be seen as an expository documentary. Similar to the expository conventions, the narrator speaks directly to the viewer, sharing factual, and obviously well researched, information in an attempt to inform and persuade the viewer in a clear call to action. In addition to this, at the end of the documentary, the narrator strongly encourages the viewer to re-evaluate their own social media usage, after having just educated them on the possible dangers. Personally, I found it difficult to pinpoint a possible target audience for this documentary, as it explains the effect that social media can have on us all. I believe that, from watching the documentary, it aims to connect with the viewer and make them feel and understand a sense of familiarity with what the narrator is saying. When producing my own documentary, I would like to portray a range of facts and figures, however, I aim to do so in a way that will inform the viewer, and allow them to conclude their own opinions on the topic.

Week 11 - Short Documentary Project - Topic, Target Audience Research

What effects does social media have on different age groups?

For this part of my research, I am keen to develop a greater understanding of how social media and technology can have varying effects on different age groups. In order to uncover some more information, I will create a questionnaire which will be sent to those in a younger and an older generation. The questions asked will be the same so it will clearly allow me to identify the similarities and comparisons given. I will ask the respondent to state their age so that I am able to determine the different answers. I have included my survey, along with the feedback that I received below.

Questionnaire Link: How does Social Media affect different generations? (office.com)

When writing my questionnaire, the first thing that I needed to ask was for the respondents' age. This is a vital part of my research, as it will allow me to understand different generational views on social media and technology. To begin with, I would like to look at the responses which were given from those aged 16-18. I sent my survey to people of this age, as this is the age range that I would like to interview when it comes to producing my documentary. I will look in more depth at their answers below and try to identify any common themes throughout their answers.

When structuring this survey, I wanted to understand whether my respondents were employed or unemployed, and whether that had any effect on their social media usage. Interestingly, four out of the five young respondents are employed, therefore, the idea that social media prevents young people from working or being lazy seems to oppose these answers. Although these young people clearly all use social media, this diagram shows that they are still capable of working, indicating that it is not a huge distraction to them.

Studying question 3, I asked my respondents to select how often they use their phone. I decided to make this question as a broad as possible, as I understand that phone usage and social media usage are two different things. This question would also give me some further indication on the process behind the 'magic of maybe' idea that I previously discovered. Unsurprisingly, the results were similar to those that I expected, showing that young people do use their phones fairly often.

Question 4, which asks the simple question, 'Do you use social media', provided an unsurprising answer. All of the young people that answered my survey selected 'yes', reinforcing the facts that most youths have social media accounts on various platforms.

The answers that I received for question 5 particularly picked my interest as they all followed a similar tone. The responses felt 'average', in a way, with a lack of enthusiasm for social media. Drawing from this, it makes me consider how social media has just become a natural part of young peoples lives, and is no longer passionately enjoyed as it perhaps once was. One person also explains that they feel social media can be 'toxic' at times, even though it is useful. This point backs up the idea, that although it provides more ease in many cases, it can cause or contribute to mental health problems.

For question 6, I asked my respondents the question, 'Do you think that social media has a positive or negative impact on your life, and why?'. Although the feedback was varied, the overall response was that it can have a negative impact, with some explaining that it can be 'addictive', and can 'ruin your social life'. I found this an interesting point as surely the primary aim of social media is to build on your social life and connect with others? As I previously discovered, it has been known that social media can cause a feeling of isolation and insecurity within young people, leading me to question how social media has expanded and in a sense, become uncontrollable.

When conducting some secondary research, I discovered that some young people create an online persona, which can often be different to who they are in reality. This could be due to feeling insecure about who they really are, or by attempting to conform to social norms that are portrayed on social media. I asked my young respondents, 'Do you present a different or altered personality when using social media?', and 3 out of 5 selected 'maybe'. This allows me to find some factual proof behind this idea, which I would like to discuss further with my interviewees, hopefully gaining some stories of personal experiences.

For question 8, I asked my respondents to select, on a scale of 1-10, how confident they feel when using social media and modern technology. All of the responses that I received were higher on the scale, with the average answer being 9. Commonly, there is an idea that those in an older generation feel much less confident when using technology as they are perhaps afraid of how to operate it correctly, whereas younger people have been brought up around technology, therefore, it feels more familiar to them. It will be interesting to compare these answers with those of the older generation.

For question 9 of the survey, I simply asked how often my respondents posted something on social media, whether that be a status, an image, or re-sharing a post from somebody else. All of the five respondents post something on social media at least every month, if not weekly or daily. I would be intrigued how this differs within the older generation. I will analyse this once I gain some more answers.

For question 10, I was intrigued to see how many 'celebrities' my respondents followed. According to various sources, it is more common for those in a younger age bracket to follow celebrities, compared to those in an older age bracket. This can depend on how often the individual uses social media, and how much attention they pay to other peoples posts. The majority of people suggested that they followed 30-50 celebrities, with one person saying that they follow 100+. I will compare these answers with those from an older generation when I receive them.

interestingly, FOR QUESTION 11, I received all of the same responses, when asking the respondents, 'Has social media affected or changed your relationships with family and friends, and in what way?'. None of the young people who answered my survey believe that social media has had an effect on their personal relationships in reality, however, they do state that by using modern technology, they are opened up to new ways of contacting people, allowing them to build contacts from all over the world.

For the final question, I simply asked my respondents, 'Would you consider yourself to be 'addicted' to social media?'. I decided to include the 'maybe' option in this question as I was intrigued to see how many people would select it. Most often, some people refuse to admit that they are addicted to social media, even though deep down, they might believe that they are. When looking at the responses from the older generation, I would predict that less people would say they are addicted to social media, selecting the 'No' option.

When reflecting on the answers provided from my younger respondents, some of the feedback was expected, however, elements of it did surprise me, encouraging me to reconsider my own views. Moving forward, I will now evaluate the answers given to me by the older generation and compare them with those from the younger generation.

Week 12 - Short Documentary Project - Topic/Target Audience Research

What effects does social media have on different age groups?

This week, I am continuing with the topic research which I started last week when reflecting on the responses that I received from my older generation respondents. For this part of my research, I am keen to develop a greater understanding of how social media and technology can have varying effects on different age groups. In order to uncover some more information, I have created a questionnaire which was sent to those in a younger and an older generation. The questions asked will be the same so it will clearly allow me to identify the similarities and comparisons given. I will ask the respondent to state their age so that I am able to determine the different answers. I have included my survey, along with the feedback that I received below.

Questionnaire Link: How does Social Media affect different generations? (office.com)

When writing my questionnaire, the first thing that I needed to ask was for the respondents' age. This is a vital part of my research, as it will allow me to understand different generational views on social media and technology. After having studied the responses given by those of a younger generation, I now had to look at those which ranged from the ages of 43-73. Although this age gap is slightly larger compared to the last one, it allows me to determine the differences between the generations. I am expecting that some of the following answers will compare to those of the previous answers, so that I will be able to clearly identify how those of an older age feel about social media.

When looking at the responses to question 2, which asked, 'Please state your employment status', the majority of answers were 'unemployed'. This was already the option that I had anticipated that those of an older age would pick as it is likely that they are in retirement, giving them more time and opportunities to use social media on a daily basis. It will be interesting to see how this continues to have an affect on their lives, and whether they think it distracts from the real world around them.

I found the answers to question 3, which asked, 'How often do you use your phone?', particularly interesting as there is a stark comparison between the previous answers from the younger respondents, some of which had chosen the 10-15 minutes option. However, when looking at the responses from those in the older category, they stated that they only use it every hour, or every couple of hours. This shows that perhaps social media is not as big of a distraction in their lives, as it is in younger peoples.

Similar to the first responses, every single respondent selected 'yes' for question 4, which asked, 'Do you use social media?'. Unsurprisingly, this just highlights the fact that social media and technology has become so universal that a vast range of people use it in one form or another, no matter their age. One question that I could have included would have been to ask the respondents to select the social media platforms that they use. This could be something that I can ask in my target audience research.

When looking at the responses to question 5, which asked, 'How do you feel when using social media?', the answers were relatively similar to those from a younger generation. The answers follow an average theme, with no specification of whether they enjoy social media or not. This feedback reinforces the idea that social media has become much more of a normal aspect of life, rather than a 'luxury'.

For question 6, I asked my respondents the question, 'Do you think that social media has a positive or negative impact on your life, and why?'. Although the feedback was varied, the overall response was that it can have a positive impact, the opposite average response given by the younger generation. Some of the respondents claim that it allows them to interact with others, keeps them connected with current affairs, and allows them to feel relaxed. Although this was the most common answer, some people did suggest that they feel it can become 'mind numbing and boring', concluding that it can depend on each person and what is happening around you at the time of using social media.

For question 7, I asked my respondents the question, 'Do you present a different or altered personality when using social media?'. For this question, all but one selected the 'No' option, perhaps suggesting that people of an older generation feel less intimidated to conform to social norms, seeking validation through social media. When filming my documentary, I would like to ask my older interviewees to explain why they think some people, particularly younger people, present different personalities on social media.

I was slightly surprised by the answers for question 8, which asked, 'On a scale of 1-10, how confident do you feel using social media and modern technology?'. Personally, I had anticipated that more people within the older generation category would have felt less confident when using technology, as it has not been something that they have lived with for their whole lives, but something that they have had to adapt to over the last few decades. However, one person did select 3, which is considerably low, therefore, I would like to discuss this further within my documentary.

When comparing the answers for Question 9, there has clearly been in a change, juxtaposing the answers given by the younger respondents. This diagram shows that those in an older generation post content a lot less often to those in a younger generation. This could be due to the fact that they are using social media for different things, such as keeping in touch with family and friends, instead of sharing posts or photographs.

I was very intrigued to see the answers for question 10 which asked, 'How many celebrities do you follow on social media?' as nearly all of the respondents selected the lowest option of 0-10. When looking back to the answers given by the younger people, they were more likely to select, 30-50, or 50-100, clearly showing that different generations use social media in different ways and for different reasons. Perhaps the reason why older people feel less of an influence from social media is because they are not following as many celebrities who present themselves to look and have perfect lives, therefore, not forcing an unlikely sense of reality into their everyday lives.

For Question 11, I asked, 'Has social media affected or changed your relationships with family and friends, and in what way?'. Most of the older respondents said that they feel social media has not affected their friendships or relationships. This could be due to the fact that when they were building initial relationships, social media did not exist, therefore they were brought up to interact socially in a real environment, unlike those in a younger generation. This is a point I will discuss within my documentary.

For the final question, I simply asked my respondents, 'Would you consider yourself to be 'addicted' to social media?'. Unlike my first set of results, most of the older generation said that they were not addicted to social media, which, as a whole, could be considered true. The question to ask now is why are they not as addicted to social media as perhaps younger people are, and why do they think younger people rely on it so much?

After completing both parts of this piece of topic research, I feel that I have been able to collect a vast amount of information, allowing me to explore the similarities and differences between the responses from both a younger and older generation. This research has fuelled my thinking and has encouraged me to think more about what I would like to present and discuss within my documentary. It has also allowed me to learn more about how social media and technology has an effect on every body's every day lives.

Week 12 - Short Documentary Project - Technical and Documentary Structure Research

Which style/mode will I structure my documentary with?

Now that I have conducted several pieces of research based on the topic of my documentary, I need to think about how I will structure my film, and the conventions that I wish to include in it. When thinking about the six documentary modes, which include, POETIC, expository, Reflexive, Observational, Performative, and Participatory, there are elements from a few that I would like to overlap within my documentary. When analysing two short documentaries, there were some aspects that particularly interested me, leading me to think about how I could include these in my own short film. One of these elements is to speak with a variety of interviewees, asking them broad questions which will allow them to expand on their responses. This idea would fall under the participatory mode, allowing for the topic to be openly discussed. If I was presenting an argument, either for or against social media, this might be considered as expository, however, as the viewer would be left to make their own conclusions on the subject, it would be seen as participatory.

Furthermore, when looking at this from a stylistic point of view, I want my film to have a light-hearted and observational tone too, therefore, I would think about how I could use bright lighting and interesting backgrounds. When interviewing my subject, I will place them in front of a background that is relevant to the topic they are discussing, to ensure that what is seen on screen, matches the dialogue. However, with this being said, I want my interviewee to feel comfortable and relaxed in a setting that is familiar to them, so I would need to keep this in mind when setting up the background. I also want to make the point that I would like to include some relevant B-Roll footage within my production to help provide smooth transitions between points and to physically show the viewer how social media and technology is having an impact on our every day lives. Another technique that I would like to use is a voiceover - a common reflexive convention, which allows the viewer to be informed about something, whilst they are watching it happen on screen. I will use this skill as a way of navigating the documentary throughout its stages and sharing facts and statistics with the audience.

Also, it is essential that I structure my film in a way that will engage my target audience, and will keep them interested throughout. Having already conducted some questionnaires, I have concluded that my film will mostly be aimed at those of a younger age and an older age, as I think it is important for the opposing generations to understand each others views. As well as this, I would also aim the documentary at anyone who wants to learn more about the generational differences when it comes to social media. I understand that it will be a challenge to create a piece that will appeal to two completely different categories, however, I hope to identify the similarities within the film and make those connections prominent during the edit.

When watching and analysing the previous short documentaries, there was one point which was discussed that I would like to talk about within my own film. The Magic of Maybe, a theory that suggests many people often pick up their phones without having received a notification, in the hopes that a text message or alert might be waiting. Experts have shown that these actions can potentially have an effect on mental health, especially within the younger generation. I would be keen to discuss this theory within my documentary, before asking my interviewees if they feel that this is something that affects their own lives, and the problems that it causes.

Overall, when thinking about how I will structure my documentary, I know that I would like it to be presented as an open conversation, with no specific intent of persuasion throughout. However, I would like the viewer to stop and reflect on their own opinions on how social media and technology is advancing, and whether it is having a greater impact on their lives than they had realised. I aim to convey a variety of facts and figures, as well as interviews from members of a younger and older generation, in an attempt to ensure that the audience is well informed and have learnt some valuable points by the end of the documentary.

Week 12 - Short Documentary Project - Technical Research

What interview techniques do I need to consider when filming my documentary?

When researching an article by 'Desktop Documentaries', I was intrigued to find some of the key things to remember when conducting an on screen interview. For this part of my research, I will study these points and think about how I will address these within my own interview. For example, one of the main points that the article makes is to ensure that you are prepared for your interview. It is essential that, as a filmmaker, you are able to plan ahead and create your questions beforehand so that you have a basic idea of what you would like to discuss with your interviewee. For my own interview, I will need to think about whether I will ask the same questions to both sets of people, or whether I will alter them slightly. I need to have a sufficient amount of questions to ensure that I cover all areas of discussion, however, I will also need to be prepared that new questions may branch off whilst the interview is taking place. I will need to be aware of this and think on the spot about any follow up questions that I could ask.

Furthermore, continuing to think about the questions I will ask, I must ensure that I avoid asking simple 'Yes' or 'No' questions. This is due to the fact that I do not want to receive one word answers, therefore, I will need to ask broad, open questions which will give the interviewee the chance to expand and elaborate on the topics that they are talking about. With this being said, I also understand the importance of allowing my interviewees time to consider and form their answers. I will aim to do this by creating a natural and comfortable environment so that the interviewee feels relaxed, and hopefully more willing to speak about their personal experiences.

As I had previously learnt when filming my piece to camera, it is important to consider the positioning of the camera when filming my interview. Although I will be acting as both the director and the interviewer, I would like the person who I am interviewing to refrain from looking directly down the camera. This can give a direct feel and might portray to the viewer that the interviewee is talking directly to them, however, this is not the case. Therefore, in order to prevent this, I will need to position my camera to the side of where I will be sat, to ensure that it becomes clear that the interviewee is looking at me whilst answering the questions. In addition to this, whilst studying the article, I know realise the importance of asking the interviewee for a final comment, before leaving the camera running for a few minutes after the interview has finished. The article discusses that it can be beneficial to ask for a final word as it could cover some elements that you had not previously considered, as well as providing a fitting end for the interview. It also suggests that it can be useful to leave the camera running as the interviewee might feel more relaxed once they realise that the 'official' interview is over, and it is now more of a conversation between two people.

After having read through this article, I now feel that I have a refreshed knowledge on some of the key interview techniques to consider when filming my documentary. I will make sure to keep these points in mind when it comes to working on my pre-production documents, which will include my interview questions, in the coming weeks.

Week 12 - Short Documentary Project - Research Reflection

Having now completed all of my research tasks, I feel that I have been able to successfully gain some more knowledge which will help me when it comes to filming my documentary. I feel that, by using both primary and secondary methods of research, I have been able to follow the targets that I set out within my research plan when thinking about my topic research, target audience, and how I will technically structure my documentary. I also compared and analysed two existing documentaries which were similar to the one I would like to create. This helped me to think about the content that I would like to portray in my film, and how I want this information to be conveyed. I have been able to gather a mixture of qualitative and quantitative research when conducting questionnaires and reading online articles. I also now have a greater understanding of who my documentary will be aimed at and why it will relate to them. When thinking about how I could have conducted my research differently, it might have been more beneficial to speak with my possible interviewees in person to allow me to have a greater understand of their views and opinions, however, this is something that I can still do when it comes to filming my documentary. I will now begin to work on my Pre-Production documents to ensure that I am ready for filming in the next couple of weeks. I have included a list of my research references below.

Week 12 - Short Documentary Project - Research Bibliography

Anon, (n.d.). Social Media Influence On The World | Power of Social Media. [online] Available at: https://softspacesolutions.com/blog/social-media-influence/.

‌Alive, Y. (2018). How does social media affect our daily life? [online] youthaliveportal.org. Available at: https://youthaliveportal.org/magazine/articles/how-does-social-media-affect-our-daily-life.

‌www.luciadore.com. (n.d.). How social media affects decision making. [online] Available at: https://www.luciadore.com/blog/how-social-media-affects-decision-making#:~:text=How%20social%20media%20affects%20decision%20making%201%20Social [Accessed 8 Dec. 2022].

‌teacherscollegesj.org. (n.d.). How does social media affects your decision making? – TeachersCollegesj. [online] Available at: https://teacherscollegesj.org/how-does-social-media-affects-your-decision-making/.

‌Still, S. (n.d.). How does social media affect our decisions? [online] MoodBelle. Available at: https://moodbelle.com/how-social-media-affects-our-decisions.

‌Anon, (n.d.). Social Media Influence On The World | Power of Social Media. [online] Available at: https://softspacesolutions.com/blog/social-media-influence/.

‌Psu.edu. (2012). Our own thoughts VS. Media Influence | Applied Social Psychology (ASP). [online] Available at: https://sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2014/10/26/our-own-thoughts-vs-media-influence/.

‌Planet Expat. (2017). Planet Expat. [online] Available at: https://planetexpat.org/2017/11/16/the-advancement-of-technology-and-how-it-will-impact-our-future-in-the-workplace/.

‌Ayres, C. (2017). 12 Pros and Cons of Technology. [online] Vittana.org. Available at: https://vittana.org/12-pros-and-cons-of-technology.

‌Blog, F. (n.d.). 33 Social Media Survey Questionnaires. [online] https. Available at: https://www.formpl.us/blog/social-media-survey-questionnaire.

‌Desktop-Documentaries.com. (n.d.). Top 10 Video Interviewing Tips for Documentary Filmmaking. [online] Available at: https://www.desktop-documentaries.com/interviewing-tips.html#:~:text=How%20To%20Interview%20Someone%20for%20a%20Documentary%201 [Accessed 8 Dec. 2022].

Week 13 - Short Documentary Project - Pre-Production Documents

Below, I have included all of my Pre-Production documents that are needed to continue with the project. Some of these include a synopsis, treatment, Project Timetable, Key Personnel, health and safety, and a contingence plan.

Synopsis:

When deciding that I wanted to create a documentary which was focussed on social media and technology, I knew that I wanted to interview those would provide a first-hand account of their own experiences. Throughout my film, I aim to speak with a variety of different people, of all ages, to gain their views and opinions on the topic, and analyse the similarities and differences between them. I thought that it would be interesting to speak with different people, instead of focussing solely on one person to allow me, and the audience, to understand multiple perspectives on the subject. Some of the questions that I will ask my interviewee will include, ‘do you think that social media has a positive or negative impact on your life, and why?’, ‘Has social media affected or changed your relationships with family and friends, and in what way?’ and, ‘How comfortable do you feel when using social media and modern technology?’.

Throughout the film, I aim to include facts and statistics through the use of voice overs, to ensure that as well as being participatory, the documentary is also educational and informative. The documentary will be aimed at those in both a younger and older generation and will hopefully encourage the viewer to think about how social media has an effect on their every day lives, and whether they might need to make any changes. I will aim to present my film as an open discussion, avoiding having a one sided argument which would be used for persuasion. I am genuinely interested in the topic, therefore, I think it will be beneficial to look at the subject openly from two different points of view.

Treatment:

Unlike most Social Media documentaries, my film will not be used in attempt to persuade or sway the viewer into thinking it is either good or bad, but rather discuss the concept as a whole and how it can have both positive and negative effects on our lives. As I have previously mentioned, I hope to use voice overs within my documentary to present factual information, therefore, I will begin my film with a brief overview of the information that I have learnt throughout conducting my research. As the documentary progresses, I will start to infiltrate clips from the interviews I will have conducted to offer different points of views and opinions on the subjects. I will include this alongside my voice overs to ensure that there is a structure to the video and that what the interviewees are discussing is relevant. Toward the end of the film, I will present less of a closing argument, yet, more of a closing statement. I will ask my interviews to briefly discuss how social media and modern technology has had an effect on theirs and what they think the world will look like in the future, due to the continuing advancement in technology. This will hopefully allow an effective end to the documentary, encouraging the viewer to reflect on the stories shared and think about their own personal experiences.

When thinking about how I will structure my documentary from a technical aspect, I want my main sources of media to be B-Roll footage, and Interviews. These two visual elements will make up a lot of what is seen on screen and will be used strategically to relate to the information that is being shared. As well as this, I would also like to use a few pieces of archived footage to back up some of the points being made. This will be an aspect that I will need to consider further during post-production. When it comes to filming my interviews, I want my interviewees to feel relaxed and comfortable so that they are more willing to share their personal experiences. Depending on the stories that my interviewees share, I will need to think carefully about the overall theme that my film will follow, however, at this stage, I would like it to have a light-hearted and comedic feel, especially when portraying the challenges that many old people face when tasked with adapting to modern technology. I will also use a variety of documentary conventions within my film, such as the use of background music, voice overs, and fly on the wall footage when following my interviewees around their daily lives.

Project Timetable:

Pre-Production-

Production-

Post-Production-

Key personnel-

Location Recce Sheet -

Health and Safety Sheet -

Contingence Plan -

Shooting Script -

Visual Outline -

Opening Voiceover -

Over the past few decades, the world of social media and technology has undoubtably advanced in ways that seem unimaginable. Although perhaps not as we know it today, Stone tools are widely regarded as the first technological invention, used nearly two million years ago by the cavemen. Fast forward to present day, and a variety of modern electronic devices are available to us at our fingertips whenever we need them. Throughout this documentary, I want to discover how technology has developed and the impact that social media has on our every day lives. I will speak to those of both a younger, and an older generation, and gather their views and opinions on the topic. I will analyse their responses and hopefully conclude the influence that the modern world has on the human race.

Below, I have included the list of my initial interview questions that I will ask my interviewee. I am aware and prepared that further questions may become relevant during the time of filming.

Interview Questions –

What social media platforms do you use?
Do you enjoy using social media?
How does social media influence your decision making?
How does social media have an influence on your views and opinions on various topics?
What are your own personal views on social media as a whole? (Positive? Negative?)
How do you feel when using social media?
How confident do you feel when using social media?
Has social media affected or changed your relationships with family and friends, and in what way?
Would you consider yourself to be 'addicted' to social media?
How do you feel about the rapid advancement of technology?
Do you wish that social media didn’t exist?
Please state your overall closing opinion on social media and technology.

Week 14 - Short Documentary Project - Production

Having now completed all of my pre-production documents, I am now ready to move on to the production stage of my project. Even though I have already drafted an initial shooting script, detailing each scene, I now needed to write a script for the voice overs that I will use within my documentary. I have included this script below to give me an idea of the structure that my film will follow.

Voice over script -

Now that I had a clear vision of the structure that my documentary would take, I now needed to source several pieces of archived footage which would be inserted between the interviews. I was able to get most of my footage from the BBC archive, specifically from 'Tomorrows world', which was a television show aired between 1965 and 2016, showcasing the advancement in technology, offering a glimpse at what the world could look like in the future. After compiling my footage, I also needed to conduct my interviews. As I had previously planned, it was essential for both of my interviewees to be apart of different generations, therefore portraying varying views and opinions. I was able to conduct these interviews successfully and maintain some interesting footage which would prove useful during the editing process.

I have included the final product for my documentary project below, as well as an overall evaluation.

Week 15 - Short Documentary Project - Final Documentary

Week 15 - Short Documentary Project - Evaluation

Over the past few weeks, we have been working individually on our own Documentary Projects after taking some time to learn more about the key documentary conventions, and how to use them in our own work. To begin with, we were tasked with forming some initial ideas to allow us to think about what topics our documentaries could cover. The three main ideas that I devised were based around Climate Change, The News, and Social Media and Technology. Whilst these ideas were quite broad, I knew that they would allow me to expand and research a variety of different avenues, hopefully leading to an informative end product. After conducting a SWOT analysis for each idea and gaining feedback from both my peers and lecturers, I decided that the best option would be to explore the Social Media and Technology route. This would allow me to include a range of facts and statistics, as well as interviewing others to present a variety of different views and opinions.

When starting to develop my idea, I knew that I didn’t want to solely discuss social media in general as I was aware that this had been done many times before and could be seen as cliché. Therefore, I needed to include a unique element in my documentary to make it different from all of the rest. After some consideration, I thought that it could be interesting to do some further research into how different generations consume their media and the effects that it can have on their everyday lives. There is a common assumption that young people are better skilled at using modern technology than those in an older generation, and I was interested to see whether this was true and identify the knowledge behind it. Before I could delve into this any further, I needed to create a research plan which would detail the different aspects that I needed to look into in further depth. Some of my research questions included, ‘How does social media influence the decisions we make?’, ‘What are the pros and cons of advancing technology?’ and ‘What effects does social media have on different age groups?’. In order to gain a vast range of research, I would need to make sure that I conducted several primary and secondary tasks. As well as researching the topical elements of my documentary, it was also essential that I identified my target audience and thought about how I would structure my documentary to tailor their interest. Although I already had an initial idea in mind, I decided to create a questionnaire which was based around the ‘influences of social media’. This survey allowed me to ask my possible target audience questions about the social media platforms they use, whether they enjoy using social media, and whether they think it can have an influence on their decision making. I found this task very useful as it gave me a good insight as to who my documentary might interest.

Throughout the course of several weeks, I was able to conduct a variety of topical, technical, and structural research activities, as well as learning more about my target audience. After I had a gained a greater knowledge on my chosen subject, I now felt ready to move forward with my pre-production planning. This aspect of the project would allow me to carefully consider how I want my end product to look, and the steps that I would take in order to achieve that. Some of these steps included a synopsis, treatment, key personnel, location recce, and a contingence plan. Each of these aspects encouraged me to think about my overall vision for the documentary, as well as identifying some of the possible difficulties that I could face during the production stage. Once I had completed all of my pre-production documents, we were then asked to create both a written and a visual outline. This encouraged me to think about my documentary, shot by shot, and remind myself of how I would like it to be structured. I found the visual outline to be very beneficial as it gave me a clear insight of how the documentary would look, and the aspects that it would include.

For the final two weeks of the project, it was time to move on to the production stage, which would allow me to start filming parts of my documentary, such as interviews and B-Roll footage, as well as sourcing a variety of archived footage which would be used to support the points that I was making in the short documentary. It was essential for me to include archived footage in order to give my viewer a visual representation of the topic that was being discussed. I found the majority of my archived footage from sources such as, the BBC and various other news channels. The reason that I chose these sources was because they are consistently updating and reporting on new information, and have been for many decades, therefore, it shows a clear contrast in how technology has advanced and adapted. Once I had compiled this footage, I also needed to film my two interviews. I decided to interview both my mum and my sister as I felt it would offer a personal account of their own experiences, as well as touching on the fact that they are part of different generations and possibly view technology and social media in different lights. Upon reflection, I would have ideally liked to have interviewed someone of an older age, increasing the age gap between the interviewees. However, with this being said, I think that my interviews still work nicely with each other, showcasing a variety of thoughts and opinions.

When thinking about the skills and techniques that I incorporated within my documentary, I feel that I have successfully been able to relate back to the documentary conventions that I had learnt and display them within my own work, with one of these being the voice over technique. In the beginning stages of the project, I thought carefully about whether I wanted to present a piece to camera or use voice overs, concluding that the latter option would allow me to share facts and figures, whilst also visually displaying footage at the same time. This would allow me to add to the informative nature of the documentary, ensuring that it was also educational. Furthermore, another technique that I used was the Green Screen when carrying out my interviews. When I previously recorded some experimental interviews, I received some feedback that the backdrop was rather dull and uninteresting to look at. I took this point onboard and so was focused on creating a more visually interesting background. I knew that I could do this using the Green Screen technique, another skill that we had learnt during the project, as I could chose my own background and decide which one worked best. Over the course of the project, I feel that I have learnt a variety of new technical skills which I wasn’t aware of before, and will help me when moving forward and making more documentaries in the future.

Personally, I feel that my short documentary does reflect the professional standard of documentaries in the modern day and showcases a range of the common conventions. When watching similar documentaries during the research process, I thought carefully about how I could essentially replicate a similar structure to ensure that my film looked and felt professional. In some cases, an informative documentary can become boring or uninteresting, therefore, I knew that I had to keep it fresh and fun. I did this by adding some upbeat background music throughout the documentary, as well as splitting it up with interviews and archived footage. These short interludes between the interviews offered a chance for more information to be shared, fuelling the next point of discussion. I also felt that I was able to achieve my aim for my target audience, creating a documentary that could be enjoyed by everyone, but specifically those who were interested in the advancement of technology. When presenting my final documentary to my lecturers and peers, they shared the fact that they felt engaged and entertained throughout the documentary, adding that they found it to be extremely informative. However, they did also suggest that I might have been able to ‘clean’ the green screen up a bit more – a fair point which I will take on board when using the green screen again in the future. Should I be able to do this, it would certainly make the footage appear more realistic and overall more professional. They also added that, whilst the documentary does make the viewer consider their own social media usage, this could have been pushed even further, deliberately asking the viewer a series of rhetorical questions to think about. Again, I feel that this is a fair judgement and will definitely be an aspect that I consider in more depth in the future.

Overall, I have found this project to be incredibly informative, educational, and fun. I have been able to learn about how documentaries are made, the common conventions and modes that they use, and the themes that they often follow. Moving forward, I would love to research more into documentary making and will continue to experiment and adapt within my own work. In conclusion, I am pleased with how my final documentary ended and will take on all of the feedback I received when creating more documentaries in the future.