A2 MEDIA EVALUATION - UNDER MY SKIN

IN WHAT WAY DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

R A C H E L W E S T W O O D

WHAT IS THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT? My documentary, Under my Skin, is a five minute introduction to an hour long

documentary. When deciding what topic to delve into, we produced a mind map and took into consideration interesting, controversial topics in today's society. We therefore considered topics such as feminism, veganism, racism etc.

WHAT IS THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT?

We finally came to the conclusion to produce a documentary which targeted stereotypes, particularly those with body modification; we chose this topic because it is something we are all interested in. Considering we all have body modifications ourselves, and have experienced both positive and negative outcomes, we felt it was a topic we could all talk about with prior knowledge. As it is students who have a significant interest in body modification, we found this as a target which directly affected us and the people around us. Alongside the documentary, we have produced auxiliary tasks, which are a 30 second radio trailer, and a double page spread for a magazine.

Radio trailer Magazine articleDocumentary

HOW HAVE WE USED AND DEVELOPED FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS? In order to use and develop conventions and codes of real

media products, research was key. We reflected on the options available to us; we researched into Bill Nichols theory of Documentary Modes (2001) which include modes such as expository, observational, reflexive, performative, poetic and participatory. In reflection of these modes, it is clear to see that we have created a documentary which incorporates elements of each mode. But the expository mode seems most suitable for our style, addressing the stereotypes associated with those with body modifications. This is because our documentary features many characteristics, codes and conventions typical of expository mode: such as an authoritative voice speaking directly to the audience. The ‘voice-of-God’ style of voice over addresses the viewer directly, for rhetorical purposes presenting clear facts. For example ‘1 in 5 people now have a tattoo’ provides clear support for our view that tattoo’s are increasing in popularity. It also proposes a point of view, and strong arguments for each side. We vastly researched documentary style, taking into great consideration which style we would chose.

Bill Nichols: American film critic and theoretician

Screenshot of facts and statistics to shock audience.

HOW HAVE WE USED AND DEVELOPED FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?   

Through our research, we also watched the Documentary "Gimme Shelter" which acted to inspire which codes and conventions we followed in the production of our documentary is an observation mode documentary. As the observational mode has little control over events, re-enactments and little artificiality, we felt the codes and conventions of this documentary style was not suitable for our topic. We wanted to show two sides of the argument, as to whether discrimination of tattoo's and piercings is a prevalent issue in our society or not. Expository mode offered us the chance to deliver interpretation of past events and an objective account to support the argument, which are features of the mode. In both styles, however, we pinpointed the features we intended to include in our documentary. This included conventions of the documentary genre such as archival footage, interviews with 'experts', vox-pops, actuality, and a voiceover, all of which were included in documentaries we observed in other areas of our research, such as Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me, Channel 4’s My Tattoo Addiction.

Gimme Shelter, directed by Albert and David Maysles, chronicling the last weeks of The Rolling Stones 1969 US Tour.

Super Size Me My Tattoo Addiction

HOW HAVE WE USED AND DEVELOPED FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS? Through observing typical codes and conventions, it enabled us to have a clear idea on what we needed

in our documentary to be successful and achieve what we intended to. We specifically wanted to include many vox-pops with students and young adults, as this was our target audience. We observed in our research of documentaries also that vox-pops were often targeted at individuals who are effected by the issue/topic being presented, such as in Super Size Me,  interviews we're conducted particularly with people who appeared overweight.

This was because the message of the documentary was, targeted at overweight people. We also intended to interview both the general public and more authoritative figures in society such as principles and teachers, who deal with students on a daily basis. It meant their feedback was relevant to the target audience and authenticated views presented. We informed our interviewee's of the questions prior to the interview, so they could prepare exactly what they wanted to say about body modification. In this respect, we went against the convention of expository mode where emphasis is made on natural, inartificial events. However this enabled our interviewee’s to prepare and so give us the best possible answers.

Vox-pops Expert interviews

Presentation of target audience, appropriately standing in front of fast food stores.

HOW HAVE WE USED AND DEVELOPED FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS? Our interviews we’re crucial to conveying the general opinions of the public on body

modification. Having professional interviews in documentaries follows the conventions of documentaries, and we have followed this in order to keep our documentary looking very realistic and professional.

[We also, throughout the interviews, kept a consistent font and colour which followed the house style throughout the documentary. We were also aware of mise-en-scene, and through each interview, we paid attention to background as this has a huge impact on the way the person/topic is presented. For example, when talking to Principle Paul Ashdown we filmed in his office and displayed several pictures of body modifications on his computer screen, so there was a clear relation to our topic and the environment looked professional.

We also ensured our questions were appropriately set and relevant to the interviewee so changed our questions for each interviewee. The majority of our interviews are medium shots and not medium close up, and so this could have been an element we could of improved on. If we had zoomed in on perhaps some of our expert interviews the emphasis on what they were saying could have came through more, as focus is made on the emotions and facial expressions of the individual whilst they are conveying their opinions on the matter.

However, I do feel as though we could have improved the overall look of our interviews. Unfortunately we had little control over lighting and the lighting appears dim in contrast to vox-pops made outside of rooms. The background of the interviews is often very similar, with a computer in the background.

Whilst watching documentaries such as Super Size Me, we observed many codes and conventions, typical of the documentary genre, employed which all improved the impact of the film.For example, there were a variety of shots on display in all of the documentaries, this includes close-ups of fast food and obese individuals which emphasized the issues further. We liked the idea of close-ups, and so employed this within our documentary on tattoo’s and pictures of tattoos. We felt that it emphasized how permanent tattoo’s are on the body, and close-ups enabled a really detailed look at these images. [picture of Kieran]

We also followed codes and conventions of documentaries such as Super Size Me by including a long, establishing shot of our location filming. This helped us to reinforce the topic of the documentary, and the target audience, which is students.

Long shots of streets where pedestrians walked was very effective in increasing the authenticity and realism to the documentary ‘Super Size Me’. Therefore, when we went to the Town Centre to film our interviews, we made sure to capture a few long-shot clips which feature normal people walking down the streets. It enabled us to show that we we’re finding out random, general beliefs from the public, and wasn’t a set up, artificial interview.

WHAT CODES AND CONVENTIONS DID WE USE AND DEVELOP?

WHAT CODES AND CONVENTIONS DID WE USE AND DEVELOP?

Another common code of the expository genre we used in our documentary

was the presentation of facts and figures. Using statistics is important in

documentaries, as it supports the message of our documentary with solid,

educational information. We added a medium-long shot of a whiteboard

portraying our facts as we believed this added to the professional look

of our documentary. However, in retrospect, this element of our

documentary could have been improved. The writing on the whiteboard

could have stood out a lot more by using a bolder font, which would have

been a lot clearer for our audience to read. If we had instead written out

the facts and enlarged them on the computer, this would have been more

effective and followed codes and conventions more so.

Portraying the facts on tattoo’s.

Font could have been clearer.

WHAT CODES AND CONVENTIONS DID WE USE AND DEVELOP? This expository mode of the documentary is reinforced by narration

which explains the content and portrays both sides of the argument. We followed the convention of employing a fast-paced, dramatic opening to which we observed in Super Size Me. Here, Super Size Me employed a fast pace movement from one great object to another, portraying how America is obsessed with having huge extravagancies. Similarly, in our documentary, we began the documentary with images of people with tattoos with a straight cut from one to the next. This enabled an interesting, quick, focused look on the subject of our documentary.

Our documentary...

Super Size Me...

Both employ similar straight cutEditing.

WHAT CODES AND CONVENTIONS DID WE USE AND DEVELOP? Within the first five minutes, in order to make the audience question the

views of society and even their own views, we employed rhetorical questioning, and shocking statistics such as the fact that “36% of 18 to 25 year olds” have a tattoo. These features contribute to the overall opinion presented in the documentary which was that tattoo’s are clearly on the increase, and becoming slowly more accepted into society.

Another consideration of the codes and conventions employed was the narrative structure. The narrative structure can be circular, open, closed or linear. As the documentary is only five minutes long, there cannot be a definite narrative structure in order to define the whole documentary – however we feel that our documentary ended on a closed structure. This is because we ended with a bold statement that it is ‘you who decides’ what is on your body, and so it is ‘you’ who decides whether you want to subject yourself to the judgmental members of society. This would ultimately provide a definite ending and so the audience are ensured a clear conclusion.

Facts and statistics.

WHAT CODES AND CONVENTIONS DID WE USE AND DEVELOP? We also added archival footage taken from Youtube, which

added a

variety of clips to the documentary, giving a more

well-rounded insight into our topic.

The voice-over also presented clear, informative information

supporting the images which was authoritative and contributed

positively. The addition of the pre-recorded voiceover

linked with the soundtrack meant visual and audio linked

together effectively.Linking of both voice-over and soundtrack.

Clip taken from Youtube.

WHAT CODES AND CONVENTIONS DID WE USE AND DEVELOP? The use of background music was non-diegetic, and added to the professional look

of the documentary. It added an element of entertainment, as the documentary appeared more up-beat and fast paced with the inclusion of up beat music. Also the use of diegetic sounds such as the vox-pops, interviews and voiceovers had very good sound levels.

The inclusion of fades, straight cuts and dissolves were effective as they allowed the documentary to look sleek and professional. The variety of effects kept it flowing, just as ‘Cross Dissolve’ and ‘Film Dissolve’ which we felt made the clips blend well together.

The lighting throughout the majority of the documentary was natural lighting, similar to all documentaries we observed. This seemed the most obvious choice given that we didn’t want to bring elements of artificiality to the documentary. Including ‘natural’ sound and lighting all contributed to the technicality of realism.

Props were also used to contribute positively to the mise-en-scene. For example computers, bags, books and pens and paper were useful when filming students, as it resembles the student’s livelihood at college. We displayed the students in their natural environment which adds to the authenticity of the documentary.

WHAT CODES AND CONVENTIONS DID WE CHALLENGE? A typical convention of documentaries is reconstructions. We did not employ

this convention, as we felt it wasn’t necessary or appropriate. We instead decided it would benefit the documentary to focus on other conventions used and ensuring those conventions we’re used as effectively as possible.

Another convention we did not employ is typical of the participatory mode. The performative mode also includes the film maker into the story, or the film maker as the presenter, but in contrast is an autobiographical description of the subjects truths that are significant to the film maker, not for a more generalized audience. Therefore, we did not use this in our documentary as we wanted to present the views and experiences of the general public, not just one person. An example of this type of participatory mode can be seen in ‘Super Size Me’, where Morgan Spurlock portrays his views and experiences. This autobiographical style personalises the film, and so is less effective at representing a general audience. However this method is very effective at taking the audience on his journey with him.

Ross Kemp’s documentaries, such as Extreme World, are another example of participatory mode, which we chose not to follow.

IN CONCLUSION…

Taking all of the modes into consideration, the expository mode is the one that most suited our documentary as it suits our topic and presentation of topic. Our documentary can also fall under a serious, formal category as the voice-over is relatively formal and authoritative throughout. We felt that we wanted the voice-over to come across this way as there is no elements of humour in our documentary, we felt this was a serious topic and something that impacts many people in different ways. The opening five minutes of the documentary needed to reinforce this informative element right from the beginning whilst also engaging with the viewer, which we felt we have achieved.

Overall, I feel we followed the majority of documentary conventions; the challenges we did make, were suitable and did not affect our documentary significantly. We used a variety of shots, to keep the documentary varied and looking professional, much like the examples of documentaries we had already observed.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS FOLLOWED IN OUR DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD… We also produced a magazine article; We will be producing this for

Radio Times Magazine. We looked at many different magazines such as ‘TV and Satellite week’ and ‘What’s on TV’. Most of the magazine articles we looked into showed similar conventions and styles, however we went for Radio Times as we thought it contained most articles which were based around a similar topic to ours. Therefore we used general conventions within Radio Times such as a main title, stand first, page number, small and large images, main image, date and time, image captions and columns, and quotes which all act to summarize what our documentary will entail. We chose to make the main image black and white as we felt it stood out more and captured your attention. Our double page spread appears professional.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS FOLLOWED IN OUR DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD…

Here, I have compared our double page spread article to the double page spread of NME Magazine for band ‘The Teenagers’. Both magazines follow the basic magazine conventions such as the three-column layout, the main image, the use of a variety of images etc. I feel we could of improved our magazine by making the text stand out a little more, by simply using less harsh colours, for example black over red background is slightly difficult to read. As you can see from the other magazine however, this is a common convention to place text over a background of another colour.

Outline around box around text to make it stand out

Consistent house style

Three column layout

Facts and statistics

Caption, date and time of viewingFeatures pictures directly from the documentary

Clear, powerful main heading

Pull quote

ANOTHER MAGAZINE ANALYSIS..

CODES AND CONVENTIONS FOLLOWED IN OUR RADIO TRAILER… We were also asked to produce a radio trailer, lasting at around

30-45 seconds. Prior to production of our radio trailer, we developed an understanding of the typical conventions and codes of a radio trailer, so listened to ones such as BBC Radio 1 and Kerrang! Radio. We chose to create a Radio Trailer for Kerrang! as tattoo’s and piercings are largely associated with rock music. Kerrang! is widely known for playing rock music, and has a large audience of young adults and students, and so we felt it would reach the intended target audience in this way.

The typical conventions of radio trailer’s which we have followed overall include documentary extracts, facts, music, length, voiceover, time and date, and channel.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS FOLLOWED IN OUR RADIO TRAILER…

In our radio trailer, we followed all conventions. Our voiceover was the same as for our documentary. We maintained the authoritative tone. The music was also the same so there was an element of consistency within both our radio trailer and documentary. We used extracts from our documentary, which we felt would intrigue the audience, as from the first 10 seconds there are snippets from interviews where the interviewee talks about body modification; the audience is intrigued as they are not yet aware of what the interviewee’s are talking about until the voice-over introduces the documentary. This also allowed for the audience to gain a small, summarized insight of what to expect in our documentary –this was typical of Radio 1 trailers we listened to. The length was around 30 seconds, which is also typical of most radio trailers which aim to be highly economical, short, sharp and to the point. This enables the trailer to be concise enough to attract the listener without them becoming uninterested.

We chose to broadcast our documentary on Channel 4, as we felt this would reach our audience easily. Channel 4 have previously produced documentaries of similar topics such as ‘My Tattoo Addiction’ so we felt the audience and topic Channel 4 tries to target were similar to ours.

Our radio trailer

OVERALL…I feel that our radio trailer turned out very professional and realistic. This is presumably as a result of us following all of the codes and conventions and handledthe sound levels well. We followed typical length of a radio trailer, which meant it all followedtogether smoothly and enabled us with enough time to advertise the topic of ourdocumentary and give an overview of the information. Giving the time and date wasalso a convention – we felt this was relevant to the target audience.

OVERALL.. Overall I feel that we used the majority of conventions within

the documentary genre, TV listings magazine and radio trailer in order to create our final products. We have well justified reasons as to why we conformed, and why we didn’t conform to certain conventions. As a result of our research, we used media articles to our advantage to see how they had used and adapted conventions and the result of these adaptations has produced a similar professional range of media products.