Planning: List of shot types

As part of my planning process for my documentary I have put together a list of all the shot types I hope to include in my footage. I believe that this will help me be more organised, and also avoid missing anything vital out. I then know which shots I plan to film in what location, so everything will run more efficiently. 

This is something that I have done differently this time around in comparison to last year when bathing the type of shots I needed for my magazine, as I found myself having to return back to the location to get more shots in different outfits. 

Generic Research: Song request

Here is a screenshot of the email I have sent to the owner of the song that I plan to use in the background of my documentary. As of yet, they haven't got back to me with permission.

Generic Research: Textual analysis (3)

What have I taken from this analysis?

• This particular extract from a documentary is based on the topic of lifeguards, which is what I also want to focus my content on. 

• It was helpful to watch how they approached filming each section, which therefore has given me some inspiration on how I can film my documentary.

• I liked the way underwater shots had been filmed as cutaways when action was taking place. I could film this with a GoPro and use the footage as cutaway shots when filming a rescue. 

• Also, the handheld camera movement throughout looked very effective as the aim was to mirror the panic that would be felt during a real rescue.

•  In addition, when interviews took place there was a bar that appeared at the bottom of the screen which told the viewer who they were. This looks really professional and provides information for the audience too.

Generic: Textual analysis (2)

What have I taken from this analysis?

• This analysis is also relevant to my idea due to the fact that this documentary focusses in on a particular occupation. 

• I like the way there are several close ups of the extravagant cakes, the camera pans up and down the creations to show the amount of skill that it has taken to make them so good. 

• Also, the creator has used many rule of third angles when carrying out the interviews. I think this looks very effective as well as being slighting more creative.

Final second analysis from ellachapman123

Generic Research: Textual analysis (4)

What have I taken from this analysis?

• The editing of this documentary is very quick paced, I plan to mirror this idea in my documentary due to the fact that I want to film a trailer. 

• The rhythm of the music also adapts to what the situation is. For example it is more fast paced when the lifeguard is carrying out a duty that needs to be done quickly. This makes the audience feel more involved because they can understand what the lifeguard is feeling in time of panic. 

Generic Research: Textual analysis (1)

Click here for a link to the documentary

What have I taken from this analysis?

• I have learnt many of the techniques that the creators of documentaries use in order to keep the audience engaged, as well as applying to the logic of the topic.

• A prime example is the amount of interviews that were included throughout just one episode, this allowed the facts to be perceived as more reliable.

What aspects could you include in your work?

• I am planning to include many of the effective aspects that stood out for me when watching the documentary. I plan to make sure that I interview professional lifeguards so the information I  display comes across as being reliable as well as trustworthy for the consumer. 

• Furthermore, I also plan to use still images of the pool itself, this will mean that my audience can get a feel for the surroundings that a lifeguard has to stay fixed on when on duty.

•  In addition, I thought it also looked really effective when text was placed over the top of images, especially the facts and figures. This made it easier to link what the narrator was explaining with the image being directly on the screen and at the same time ensured the narrator was perceived as being professional in regards to the topic.

Generic Research: Old style documentary

This is a short clip that I found of a documentary that has a very old style. It is in contrast to the style that I hope to achieve.

However, it proves that the role of a lifeguard has been around for such a long time and still remains something that is very important and worth a discussion about.

 Click here for a link to this

Audience Research: Focus group

What is the definition of a focus group?

This involves a group of people that have been chosen to help towards feedback of an object being put through production.

What is the purpose of a focus group?

Focus group research is used to develop or improve products or services. The main purpose is to provide data to enhance, change or create a product or service targeted at a specifically chosen audience type. 

Why have I chosen these specific people?

I have decided to choose 3 girls and 1 boy for my focus group. Two of these people are in my class and also study Media. However, Olivia is still interested in consuming media, she just doesn't tend to create it herself. In addition, I also chose Charlotte because she studies Journalism at Degree level, so she is familiar with the codes and conventions I wish to achieve. 

Generic Research: actors permission

In preparation for filming my documentary, I send this text message to the group chat with my work friends in it. This then allowed me to have time to make new plans if for some reason they were not working that day. Luckily, everyone was happy to participate which then meant my filming could go ahead.

Here are some images of the actors I have asked to participate in my documentary, they are all lifeguards at Clements Hall, which means they have a lot of knowledge regarding the subject I want to look into and are all reliable sources.

I have also added some extras, in case on the day one of the original participants cannot be there.

Research: Audience profile

The audience that I plan to aim my product at are teenagers. I have chosen this age demographic due to the fact that many lifeguards are around 17 plus years old on average. This will be they can relate to the content more, and get the most of it.

 I think this is also a good audience to aim my documentary towards due to the fact that I am a teenager myself and know which sort of codes and conventions will catch their eye the most. Furthermore, now I have chosen my audience age bracket, I can now ensure that this is the age bracket that I ask my questions to. The feedback I receive will then be valid and I can put this into play in order to improve my product. 

Generic Research: Academic article notes

Expository conventions- 

Rich Kids of Instagram shown on Channel 4- Link here

1. Voiceover, which is aimed at audience directly 
2. This is often heard but not seen but could also be seen and heard
3. Images can be used to illustrate this
4. Continuity editing is used to link the footage together 
5. Interviews, stills and archive materials are used 
6. Logos is a technique used in attempt to persuade the audience of a point of view

Observational conventions-  

The Secret Life of 4 year olds shown Channel 4- Link here

1. Hand held cameras are used
2. Many longer takes tend to dominate the footage
3. The sound recorded is often synchronous
4. There is sometimes no voiceover recorded
5. No interviews are included
6. The subjects pretend they're not being filmed

Participatory or interactive conventions- 

Michael Jackson documentary- Link 

1. The makers and crew interact with the subject
2. The interviews tend to be more relaxed and 'on the run' questioning
3. Lots of archive material is included e.g. stills and news footage 
4. Hand held cameras as also used
5. Long takes dominate the shot types
6. Synchronous sound is also used
7. The maker of the documentary is often the voiceover 
8. The maker therefore, participates in the action of the documentary

Examples of documentary from each type...


Performative: Super size Me Link here

Reflexive:Behind Bars Link here




Poetic: Life in a day- Link here

Generic Research: Treatment

Writing a treatment documentary from ellachapman123

What has influenced the aim of this idea?
I found an article on how the role or a lifeguard is shown in a light that does not reflect how it really is. This therefore, has encouraged me to inform people how important the role really is, and how much of an impact it would have on people if lifeguards weren't around.
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