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Textual Analysis

How Racist are You

This documentary has many features which connote to the conventions of a documentary as well as some specific channel 4 conventions. Firstly we see this through the camera work. A key shot used in may documentaries is a medium close up or ‘head and shoulder shot’, this generally occurs during interviews. The speaker covers 1/3 of the screen to one side (most commonly the left), this allows the viewer to get a clear view of who is speaking however it is not so close as to emphasise a specific expression, a generic background suiting the speaker is also used, for example in ‘how racist are you’ when interviewing a participant they use the background of room within their location. This documentary connotes to the channel 4 documentary style in that it uses a voice over with a high angle of the people present in the documentary, this long shot showing them simply entering gives the viewer an idea of how many people are going to be involved, the use of both genders and also a mixed amount of ethnicities , this gives them instant proof that the documentary topic has been thoroughly researched to gain as much accuracy as possible, this therefore means the documentary its self is more convincing to the audience. Extreme close ups were also used to specify areas specific to the documentary, in this documentary eyes were being specified throughout therefore by using this emphasis their importance to the viewers, various examples of eyes are used in order to emphasise the variety of people being used and how they fit into specific categories.

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‘How Racist are You’ use many sound techniques such as voice over, the use of a voice over allows the director to add in extra information about what is happening in the documentary without having a presenter, this incorporates Nichols dour ‘Documentary modes of address’ – Interactive Mode. This mode uses different kinds of dialogue and monologue thereby allowing interviews to be used along side the voice over. Although the interviews will give the viewer a more detailed view from people involved either professionally or emotionally to the topic the voice over is key to moving the documentary along and giving a running commentary on the actions performed on screen. This use of voice over works to reduce confusion for the viewer and create a higher understanding for those watching. The tone of the voice over is key to be creating the mood within the documentary, the voice over in this documentary is quite formal, this is due to the subject at hand. Racism is a serious matter within society therefore and informal tone would be inappropriate. This documentary also uses non diegetic incidental music, this music is also used to portray mood and tone within the documentary, this works to subtly support and accompany the voice over’s mode of address. Diegetic sounds are also used within cutaway images, these may include the sound of a clock ticking, this works along side the image to show the passing of time or for suspension in some cases when waiting for a result. This allows the viewer to become part of the documentary and feel like they are involved in the life of the speaker, therefore gaining an emotional attachment and intriguing them to learn more about the situation the documentary is focusing on.

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Editing is also used throughout the documentary, mostly motion picture editing is used. Motion picture editing is the rearranging of visual audio material along with the addition of music, sound and voice over, this is done to portray the images in a way that the viewer will understand more easily. Continuity editing or ‘invisible editing’ would be used along side this in order to portray to the reader that we are seeing exactly what the director did. It allows us to feel like we are getting an insight into a the reality of a situation as opposed to a false pretence that the director has created. Cross cutting has also been used in this documentary, we see at various point the cutting from the blue eyed participants within the room to the brown eyed participants in the original room. This is done to show the contrast between the two, it works with the title by showing the direct contrast between them and showing the complete split within the group therefore giving the viewer a deeper understanding of how each side of the group are feeling. Cut away images are also used repeatedly throughout, into his documentary they include cutaway images of clock, this adds an element of suspense to the documentary as well as showing the passing of time to allow the viewer to understand that the next image may not be directly after.

Theory

‘How Racist are You’ represents a variety of different documentary styles including ‘Mixed Documentary’, these use a mix of interviews, observation and narration. The narration works to report the information to give a balanced view rather than focussing simply the interviews or observation. This documentary falls into this category due to it having a voice over narration along with interviews from the participants and the group leader, this allows us a constant update from either side and adds to the balance furthering the understanding of the viewer. Observation is also used however with images of conversations between participants, this allows the viewer to understand the discussions between the groups therefore making it seem more realistic as opposed to just the directors view of the situation. Toderov’s theory is also present throughout the documentary, this theory of equilibrium begins at the start of the documentary. We initially see everyone entering and introducing themselves and what they are about to do. This gives a positive view of the experiments about to take place. We then see this develop further and take a negative appearance. The racism is promoted throughout the mid section of he documentary with assessments and group, arguments occur and acts of discrimination in order to prove a point. This all creates a negative effect. The results are then evaluated and realisations made on the subconscious ideas we as humans have therefore leaving the documentary with a developed view of the subject that was not present at the beginning therefore restoring the equilibrium and supporting Toderov’s theory.