2. Typeof Documentary
The documentary uses a self reflexive format which is shown by the narrator
(Morgan Spurlock) talking to the camera, however this documentary is not entirely
self reflexive throughout. The documentary is also chronological and single
stranded because it follows a day to day sequence rather than random days, it
also focuses on one topic.
3. Themes
Many themes were expressed in this documentary, such
as: the link between obesity and fast food companies,
this was the main theme of the documentary and the
focus of Morgan Spurlock's 30 day challenge. There was
also the theme of personal choice Vs corporate
manipulation which focused on how the products at
Mcdonalds were marketed to the public and made them
almost become part of American society and makes the
products inescapable, which drives more people to buy
them. There was also the theme of personal
responsibility Vs corporate responsibility, this focused on
the responsibility of the people choosing to eat the food
against the responsibility of Mcdonald's to make the food
they serve more healthy and have less of an impact on
health.
4. Narrative Structure
Morgan Spurlock acts as the narrator in this documentary and handles the
narration of the documentary from off screen, when Spurlock talks he does so in a
quick manner in order to progress the documentary faster and get information
across quicker. The documentary narrative was kept in chronological order as well
to coincide with the progress of the documentary. In addition to this the narrative is
kept single stranded which allows for the focus to be set on one topic rather than
confusing the audience with multiple topics.
5. Camerawork
Throughout the duration of the documentary there
are a variety of camera shots such as mid shots
that capture the face of the interviewee as well as
their torso, this may be to help to reflect the health
of the person and relate their weight to the topic of
the interview, this may also represent personal
identity because the audience can see the
interviewees almost fully and can relate to how they
are. When the interviews were conducted the
person on screen never looks at the camera but
rather looks to the narrator off screen who conducts
the interview, it is rare to see the interviewer and
interviewee on screen at the same time in this
documentary.
Interviewer Interviewee
Two shot of the narrator and
interviewee which is seen rarely in
this documentary, often the only two
shots are of two interviewees.
6. Camerawork Continued
Low shots are also used in a sort of video diary style which shows that the
documentary was hot at different times in the day even when a camera crew was
not present as well as showing that Morgan Spurlock records some of his own
content. During the formal interviews the rule of thirds is seen because the
interviewee is never placed in the center of the shot but is instead placed at the
side to allow them to look directly at the interviewer rather than the camera, this
commonly seen in documentaries as an interview method.
7. Mise -En-Scene
This documentary uses its mise-en-scene in order to help represent its themes, for
example the use of medical experts to show the medical side of the main theme
was reinforced by the use of a medical practitioner's office, or the use of
McDonald’s restaurants helped to reinforce that the documentary was about the
fast food corporation. Another aspect that was recognised was that there was no
distinguishable target group for the interviews which shows that Morgan Spurlock
was trying to represent the fact that McDonald's is designed and marketed to
reach every social group in America, this suits the theme of ‘Personal Choice Vs
Corporate Manipulation’ due to the corporation manipulating its way into American
society.
8. Sound
The narration of the documentary was voiced by the ‘hero’ of the production
(Propp theory), Morgan Spurlock narrates from both behind the camera and on
camera at select times. Music in this documentary consists of a heavy use of food
related songs such as the ‘Fast Food Song’ by Fast Food Rockers which is used
in the opening of the documentary (being sang by children) it is also recognised
worldwide by children, this also shows how the corporate brand has reached other
industries (music industry). In one scene the music is asynchronous due to
classical music being played during surgery which may represent the unfortunate
fact that weight reduction surgery has now become a regular thing that surgeons
practice which shows the drastic rise in obesity in America.
9. Sound Continued
Medical jargon is used by some interviewees which is used to represent the
medical side of the documentary and reinforce its significance. On one occasion in
the documentary the American ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ is played which may show
that it is embedded in the fabric of American culture and hold some significant
influence from within the government. The main influential sound in the
documentary comes from the vox pops which represent the popular opinion of the
public, this is used many times in the documentary and features different views
from a variety of sources.
10. Editing
Throughout the duration of the documentary many
cutaways are used to swap between shots and interviews
and even different pieces of archive material. During a pre-
recorded interview with a representative of GMA the
recording is freeze framed while many brand names are
overlaid and the narrator abbreviates on what the
interviewee is saying and relates it to the main theme of the
documentary while portraying the company in a negative
light. Montages are also used to convey information to the
audience but by not using up as much time as showing the
events in full time, this helps to speed the timeline of the
documentary. Elliptical editing is also used to skip through
the day in the documentary and helps to compress his 30
day into a quick to watch documentary.
11. Archive Material
Archive material plays a crucial role in this documentary because it helps to act as
evidence to back up the points made by the narrator against Mcdonald's, material
such as still photos and statistics were the main weapon in Morgan Spurlock’s
documentary against the fast food corporation. Statistics were used to highlight
the facts behind the points that were being made while further evidence such as
old interviews and newspaper articles that were placed alongside graphics such
as animations to further explain points. During an interview an interviewee shared
personal statistics from his weight loss experience which helps the audience relate
to the person.
12. Graphics
Graphics helped to make the documentary feel friendlier rather than a constant
bombardment of facts and negative views, animations were commonly used to
help represent key information and make it more presentable and enjoyable to the
audience. Name plates played a key role in introducing interviewees and crucial
people as well as stating their profession (if applicable) and helps show how they
are related to the theme of the documentary. To help highlight the message of the
documentary (obesity in the USA linked to Mcdonald’s) a map representing the
areas in America with high obesity was used with narration from Morgan Spurlock
to convey the information and help to make the information easier to understand.
13. Theories
Propp Theory:
Hero: Morgan Spurlock
Princess: Health and exposing Mcdonald’s for causing bad health
Villain: Mcdonald’s Corporation
Socioeconomic group A is shown which includes doctors and people in high
management roles, group C2 is also shon which represents most of the people
who were interviewed in public.
