Documentary Analysis'

Analysis of Adam Curtis Power of Nightmares; 2004

Power of Nightmares is a contraversial, political/voice of god, series of documentarys about disscussing how politicans use fear amoung society to gain power.

Music has been used in a very powerful way within this documentary not only through the energetic music througout the beginning which engages and draws in its audience, but also through the way it influences and shapes the way in which the audience views the subjects involved. For example, when in interviews there is no music, allowing the audience to build there own oppinion about the person. However, in contrast to this when talking about politicians stereotypical horror music is played leading the audience unknowingly to have a negative oppinion on them. This has also been enhanced through juxtaposistion, placing archive clips of news shows, politicans and horror films within the same sequence along with horror music influencing the audiences oppinion.

Finaly, there is a clear signiture shot. The sequence consists of various archive footage, such as adverts, news and news footage, followed by a mid shot interview. By using this archieve footage it allows the audience to relate whats being said to what could be a familiar image or event, creating a higher understanding

Analysis of BBC's Frozen Planet; November 2011

Frozen planet is a observational/ voice of god documentary as it has no presenter, only a voice over. This also makes it an observational as there is no participation with the subjects (animals) within the documentary.

As well as this, through the editing establishing shots have become this documentarys a signiture shot. By using a signture shot such as this it not only shows the audience where abouts the documentary is taking place, but it also gives the viewer a place to relate back to, for example when the voice over is giving them more information.

However, it is not just visual elements that engage the audience, as sound is also a key element in this documentary. Music is used through out the film, especially with Frozen Planets signiture establishing shots in order to emphasise the vastness and scale of the places of the artic and antartic. By doing this the audience is instently engaged and in awe of the location.

Analysis of Life In A Day: 2010

Life in a day is a documentary filmed by people all over the world to document the 24th July 2010. However I feel that this documentary is a very political film as it uses juxtaposition to constantly portray the contrast between different cultures, showing those who have a lot, in terms of material things, to those who have nothing.

Whilst watching this documentary i also noticed that lots of mid shots and close ups had been used. I feel that this was done to create a quicker connection to the people involved and allowing the audience to relate to them. However, i feel that this is not there signiture shot, as i believe that their signiture shot is the repeating montages through out the documentary. These montages are used to drive the narrative forward in terms of the time of day and how peoples everyday routines not only differ but are the same around the world.

Even though music is not used that often, when it is used though out the montage sequences it also helps to drive the narrative forward and to create the desired atmosphere for the audience helping them to relate to the people in the documentary.

Analysis of Nick Broomfields' Biggie and Tupac: 2002

still scape at beginning (archive stills and sound)
soundscape- overlapping each other
voice of god- defining where we look (dictates what the audience does)
introducing concept and theme using archive footage (reflecting back on the footage) (never turns the camera off)
manipulating primary source/ performing for the audience , amplifying the character
ofcom rules due to entrapment
interups during interviews to get to the point that he wants
following documenatry maker (someone for the audience to follow - audience go on the journey with him)
asks questions that give the responce he wants

Analysis of James Estrins' Free and Uneasy: The First Year Out: November 2007

The first Year Out is a political stills documentary that tells the story of a mans trails and sufferings after he was released from prison after being falsely convicted for rape. However the narrative is not told through the 'voice of god' but instead the film maker has been replaced by captions between the stills. As well as this the only voice we ever hear throughout the documentary is from the primary subject himself, making him the audiences only focal point. This allows the audience to build up a relationship with the primary and develop Sympathy for him and the hardship that he has endured.

This connection is also built though the use of connecting the words said within the interview with photographs that were taken. For example when the primary is talking about going swimming for the first time, the audience is shown a photo of the him swimming. By showing the audience photographs that link with the dialogue it not only allows them hear the anguish in the primary's voice but also allows them to see it through his body language and expressions.

'Cabbie' Documentary Research

Racism within the UK against Pakistanis

'Taxi Drivers accused of racism for displaying sign saying 'English Speaking' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247944/Taxi-drivers-accused-racism-displaying-sign-saying-English-speaking.html

'Racist Taxi Slogan Banned' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8104719/Racist-taxi-slogan-banned.html

'Racism Charge in Taxi Licence Case' http://www.herald-review.com/news/local/article_13a59e46-0449-11e1-af0a-001cc4c03286.html

'Racist Thug Banned From Using Taxis' http://www.reporthatecrime.co.uk/index.php/news/65-racist-thug-banned-from-using-taxis

From reading this article I once again found that racism towards Pakistani people was apparent within the UK, and in particular Pakistani taxi drivers. Therefore again, i feel that it would be interesting to find out whether our primary has every suffered from racist abuse whilst working, and if so, why he thinks this is and how he copes with the racist remarks.

From watching this documentary, I was shocked to find how strong and vicious racism is against the Pakistani people living in the UK, and how young these abusers can be. I found this very disturbing to watch as these young children being openly violent and racist to Pakistani women, it was as though they ad completely lost their innocence. However, i had to wonder where they had got these strong racist views and whether they had developed these views from their parents, peers or from the media. Therefore, I feel that it will be necessary to find out from our primary if he has been a victim of racism both at work and through out his normal day to day activities.

Whilst researching into the topic of racism against Pakistanis in the UK i was shocked to find this question and answer on Yahoo.com. This clearly shows the level of racism with the UK. But I'm inteterested to find where these racist judgements come from and whether its passed down through generations or whether these views are expressed through todays media.

Permission is herby granted for the reproduction in whole or in part of the work set out on this website, provided that full acknowledgment is given, the copyright notice above and this notice are reproduced and that any partial reproduction gives a fair and accurate reproduced and that any partial reproduction of the whole work.