3. Themes
Good vs. Evil- This is known as a binary opposition.
This theme is shown through the use of religious symbols such as churches, religious
ceremonies and religious icons along side the somewhat evil storyline and name of the
programme.
Power of the media is also a theme in this documentary. It makes the audience ask the
question ‘can the media influence peoples behaviour?’ As it is believed that it was the
music and performance created by ‘Manson’ that made the three girls plot and
perform a murder. It could also show how Manson is made to be something he is not
through the media, as he is shown doing everyday things that a person of a ‘normal’
status would do throughout the documentary.
Religion- The theme of Christianity and Catholicism is heavily shown by the
continuous use of religious symbols, such as churches, religious icons, crucifixes etc.
This is then contrast by the clear use of satanic worship. Throughout the programme
there is archive material of Manson burning bibles and claiming to worship he devil
during his concerts. The three girls also claimed to worship the devil.
Youth is another theme of the documentary as it states the problem with society and
youth today and how it is dealt with.
4. Narrative Structure
Open; As there are questions left unanswered. Did Manson actually influence the girls?
Single Strand; There is only 1 narrative thread… only one storyline. The documentary
sticks to the one storyline of the crime and everything revolves around or back to that.
Non linear; It doesn’t follow time order. There is use of flashbacks and flashforwards.
Archive material from Manons’ gigs, interviews etc
5. Camerawork
There are many establishing shots of locations so the audience knows where it is set.
The interviews follow the typical code and conventions of a documentary interview.
For example;
• they are shot in either a medium close up or close up
•Framed to the left or right of the screen
•Eye line is a third of the way down, regardless of the shot type.
6. The interviews with Manson are filmed in low angle, which gives him power The dark
and dimmed lighting creates light and dark sides to Manson.
Handheld camera work is used on actuality footage in order to respond
to events quickly, for example, when Manson and Dita Von Tease are
eating in McDonalds. Also when the press are standing outside the court
trying to get a glimpse of the girls leaving court.
7.
8. Shots used;
Pan- Merchandise stand at Manson gig
High and low angle- historical artefacts
Crane- throughout gig
Zoom- Nuns brother in the car coming away from court
Tracking- following solicitor
Extreme close up, medium close up, close up, big close up- interviews
Long shot- View of city
Titled frame- The tilted frame gave an example from the nuns point of view as she
was being murdered and lying on the floor.
9. Mise-en-scene
There is lots of religious imagery throughout the documentary.
The lighting is very important when showing religious artefacts and there is a
‘golden glow’ on all religious iconography which is in contrast with the harsh,
dark lighting which is on Manson all the time.
10.
11. There is are also a number of voiceover translating Italian . These are all gender
appropriate.
Music that is considered to be religious such as choral singing, organ, and
orchestral are all played over scenes that include religious imagery and church bells
are played over the scene where the nuns coffin is being carried through the
streets to the church.
There is simple strumming during some parts of the documentary and this gives it
an eary edge. This is used to create and atmosphere.
A piano is also used to create the atmosphere, almost like a horror film.
12. Editing
Interestingly, there is a juxtaposition of choral choir music which could be
considered religious, on top of a video of Manson fans and using ‘inappropriate’
behaviour.
This visual of the fans is in slow motion.
Another example is from the murder scene where every time the sound effect
changes the image changed also.
Cuts are also involved in the documentary to break it up and to ensure it is
unobtrusive.
14. Graphics
Interviews; The name is the biggest piece of text on the screen and there is a smaller
size description underneath. This anchors the person and their relevance to the topic.
Information at the end of the programme; This is to conclude the narrative.
Title; Gothic symbolism and relevant to the topic.
The font is always simple, clear and white!
