Stylistic Features BY EMILY ROSS

Catfish.

Catfish is a tv show about two presenters (Max and Nev) who

help people who have fallen in love with someone online but

have never met. Max and Nev’s goal is to help this person find

out if they are being catfished (lied to) or if the other person is

Real and help them to meet.

CATFISH means "Individual Who Creates a False Online Identity"

Animations.

Throughout the entire show there is use of animations. All of these are related in some way to online showing the audience this program is based all online. When you’re introduced to everyone the animation used looks like the tags used on Facebook to tag a friend in a photo, when emails are being read the animation makes it look like you are on their email accounts look at your own mail. When showing shots of conversation they make them pop up like they would in a chat online.

This shows and informs the audience that all of the technical aspects are online, this is a running theme throughout the entire documentary series showing just how important the social networking and online are to the entire show.

Opening titles.

The show starts by showing a clip of later on.

It gives a feeling of tension and suspense which hooks the audience in as they want to find out what happens. They do this at the beginning of each episode and the clip is personal to that episode.

Filming Techniques.

The show is filmed, mainly, by using a canted hand held camera.

They do this to create a personal point of view and makes the audience feel as if they are really there.

They use various shots such as close up and pan also two shot and zoom but the movements are very fast and jolty giving the feel of urgency and tension.

Title Screen.

At the beginning of the show they don’t just show a title they show pictures of who they help/are going to help being slightly pixelated to show that the show has technical aspects.

This interests the audience as its not just a normal title screen but it has an animation. It draws the audience in as the show is not like others and therefore it captures their attention.

Introduction.

At the start of every episode (after the titles) we are told in the left hand upper corner of the screen where the presenters are. When we see the presenters their names are shown introducing them to the audience, this also happens whenever we meet a new person on the show and after every break their names are shown again.

This helps inform the audience of who they are watching. Also if you join the program late you will still have understanding of who everyone is and what is happening in the show.

The Documentarians.

When the audience is first introduced to the presenters, they are having witty banter showing they are friends and starting the overall show on a light note.

This makes the audience like the two documentarians which is a key factor for a good documentary.

The Story.

To introduce the main “character” and their story. They do this by reading an email (sent by the character) out to the audience explaining their story.

This informs the audience on what the episode will be about and helps create sympathy for the main character in the episode.

Use of picture.

The show uses images sent by the “catfish” and the main “character” to show the audience details of what has been happening. They also show snippets of conversations shared between the two subjects.

This helps to inform the audience of what exactly has been said in detail and also leaves a lasting impression.