2. Standard Forms And Conventions Of a Documentary: Voiceover: Presented in an authoritative way, making the audience think that the host has some kind of specialist knowledge or that they have the correct opinions that people should pay attention to. Footage of events: documentary style is essentially presented as non-fiction although this is not true across the entire genre (footage can be “tweaked” or manipulated in order to form a specific opinion). Non-the less documentaries are seen by the audience as displaying events that are real. Technicality of realism: Diegetic sound and natural lighting. Interviews with ‘experts’: In order to reassure the view that the film is portraying. If the expert disagrees with the general opinion of the filmmaker, such footage will be altered or such opinions will be noted and disagreed with by the filmmaker. Text: Use of text on screen in order to label dates, chapters etc in order to create unquestionable and quick information. Sound: Use of non-diegetic sound such as music in order to create moods or bridge scenes together in order to convey a certain meaning Mise-En-Scene: Props, costume etc making an all around reassuring effect for the audience, a builder in a suit (poor) versus a builder in a helmet, work vest, jeans and a white shirt. Of the two, the second would be much more helpful from the audience perspective allowing them to follow and trust the film. Our plan is to take these forms and conventions into consideration and apply them to our production. By doing so, we then create a true "Mocumentary", following the same forms and conventions as documentaries only our film will not be educational but rather its purpose will be to entertain. Of course we will also be presenting our dialogue and content (footage) in a satirical format, thus following the true Forms and Conventions of a Mock-Documentary.
3. Real World Example Analysis Venus fly trap: The Private Life of Plants Camera: When focusing on the host standing up, use of hand held camera (slightly shaky) Panning (horizontal and vertical) of both specimens and the environment/surroundings of the specimen Camera follows specimens movements Shots of specimen include: Close-up, Medium close-up and Extreme close-up of carnivorous plant Close-up and Extreme close-up of frogs and insects Shots Of Host Include: Wide Shot as host introduces subject Close-up featuring both host and the focus specimen (venues fly trap) Close-up of the host’s hands interacting with specimen as he points out specific details The Host is standing in shot with the specimen during its introduction but then moves to close ups with overdubbing in order for the audience to focus on exactly what object is being talked about. Clean Focus Throughout Editing Attenborough’s editing in his nature segments are mainly comprised of cut shots creating a montage moving from the host to various shots of the subjects. However continuity is achieved by the use of dialogue over the images. Cut-in Shots Sound Diegetic sound includes the dialogue from the host (when he is in shot) as well as in this case birdcalls and insects buzzing. Non-diegetic: Narration as well as added nature calls to add to the atmosphere as well as a soundtrack to build tension as well as establish other moods. Sound Effects: Post production nature sounds help audiences understand the location and add a sense of realism to the clip, making audiences feel as if they were right there with the host Mise-En-Scen Props: Stick and natural Environment (specifically the plants) Costume: smart casual button up shirt with Khaki Trousers and watch (an adventurous explorers outfit typical of Explorers attire from the 20th-21st centuries). Lighting: In colour with natural lighting Location: A natural environment (crazy plane at the edge of what appears to be a forest) Position of Host: When the focus of the dialogue is on a subject, the host is slightly off centre, however if the specimen focused upon is not in shot (such as during the introduction) the host is placed in the centre of the frame.
4. Humming Birds: Camera: Wide Angle Shot Depicting Landscape Long shot shows rows of feeders Mid shot shows “Jessy” as well as used to show feeders with birds eating and interacting Medium close up of feeders and Jessy holding feeders while the birds eat from it Big close up of birds to depict more detail Extreme close up of birds to capture as much detail as possible Clean Focus throughout Low Angle Shots of the Feeders Tracking of the birds Panning is used often to show the landscape/ environment as well as scale (how big the birds are relative to other objects) Camera: Editing: Montage Editing Cut Shot Sound: Non-diegetic sound effects to add to the viewing experience (bring more realism into the sequence) Mise-En-Scene: High-ket Lighting (natural) Arid Environment (location) Warm Climate Humming Birds natural environment Home of a bird enthusiast Costume is smart casual Button Up Shirt and Khaki Trousers
5. Male Elephant Seals Defend Territory Camera: Wide Shot (host in the distance on the beach with seals surrounding and in the foreground of the camera shot). Long Shot (seal in foreground, seals fighting) Big Close Up (baby seal milking) Medium Close up: (Various Specimen) Clean Focus Tracking of animals whilst their moving Panning especially of the landscape in order to depict just how many seals there are. Editing: Montage Editing (otherwise the sequence would most likely be relatively lifeless and boring, instead they have spliced together the most exciting parts) Cut shots Sound: Music used to set tone and change the mood throughout Seal calls are added over the sequence, most likely sound effects in order to bring out the environment and exaggerate the number of seals on the beach Mise-En-Scene: Seals natural environment Props include the specimen, a stick (mainly for safety purposes) Costume is practical including a wind breaker and some boots High Key Lighting (natural)
6. Ocean Animals: Leopard Seals Vs. Penguins Camera Long Shots of penguins on the edge of a glacier Very Long shots of penguins lining the shore Mid Shots Of penguins Close Up of penguins from high angles Low angle under water shots Tracking of animals Panning Editing: Montage Editing Cut shots Sound: Music adds to the intensity of the scene Sound Effects have been added in order to establish location better Mise-En-Scene High Key Lighting (natrual) Penguin/ Seals natural environment On land and underwater
7. Common Conventions The filmmaking team behind these specials utilize editing and sound in order to shape a scene. Nature can be very cruel, and capturing it can take an extremely long time, therefore for our film, we will need to collect a lot of footage and cut and paste all relevant and useful footage as these filmmakers have done. Music and sound effects are key elements as they set the mood of the scene and can either increase or decrease the danger or excitement as well as alter the audiences perception of what is happening on screen. Editing it used in the exact same way, for instance in the plants sequence, the second carnivorous plant segment is made out to be extremely dramatic compared to the rest of this clip. This was achieved through decreasing the length of each shot making faster cuts between of various distances as well as fast music in a minor key. This element therefore is where the “control” within the genre is in the hands of the creators. They (as we will) are observing creatures in their natural environment without disturbing them (having no control over them). However with crafty shot editing, soundtrack, and sound effects, the filmmakers could potentially reshape any of these segments to portray completely different scenarios. An important thing to keep in mind during our own editing process.
