Researching docs 2

1. Human Behaviour- EducatingYorkshire
Researching documentaries

2. Camerawork and sound
Throughout the documentary short cuts are used to show the conversations between the
students and the teachers. Close ups are mostly used when a voiceover played to show that the
person being spoke about in the voiceover is the person in the close-up shot, this makes it easier
for the audience to identify the person who is being spoke about in the documentary.
Selective focus is used to create a selected view in the frame and to focus the camera on the main
subject which in this documentary is the students.
Non-diegetic sound is used throughout as there are many conversations taking place all through
the documentary.This documentary also has their own piece of music which is played particularly
when the change over of lessons happen and the students are walking to their lessons.This music
is used as there is no dialogue during these shots, this would stop the documentary becoming
boring and unprofessional.

3. Mise en scene and editing
Mise-en scene within this documentary is very important as it is very vital. It’s important for the for the portrayal of
stereotypes within this documentary. For example, all the students wear their school uniform, however within the
documentary some of the students challenge this stereotype as they do not all stick to the uniform which has been set.This
not only makes the documentary more interesting to watch but also shows the different types of pupils within a school
environment.The teachers are all in smart business wear which represents them to have a higher authority than the pupils
and also shows a clear contrast between them.Within one of the episodes that I watched, the focus was on how girls present
themselves with extravagant make up and hair styles, this shows their youth as they are experimenting with their
appearance.The light within this documentary is brightened during scenes where direct address is used, this makes the
person who is speaking stand out more and makes the audience aware of them, the use of a white background also makes
the facial expressions stand out more which is the initial target of using direct address within this documentary so the
audience can see what life is like for these pupils and teachers. During other scenes such as inside a classroom, natural light
is used to sometimes reflect the mood and to also make the ‘school life’ look realistic instead of it looking over-edited and un
naturalistic.The location of this documentary is set within a secondary school, this is clear to see with all the things/ furniture
you would expect to see in a school (tables, whiteboards, posters etc)The location is also noticeable as establishing shots
are used at the very beginning of the documentary to show the exterior of the school building. Editing is an important aspect
within this documentary as it uses short takes to move onto a different subject/scene which helps the audience to feel the
atmosphere of a typical school life. Furthermore, long takes are also used within classroom scenes so we can see the
expressions of the students and make an initial opinion on them. Eye line match is also used so us as the audience/viewer
can relate to that particular student/teacher as their emotions are presented clearly with an eye line match.

4. Theme, Demographics and Psychographics
I think the demographic audience of this documentary (EducatingYorkshire) would be E, D, C2 and C1, this is because
some of these groups fall into the category's of students, teaching assistants etc.Therefore, I think this human behaviour
documentary would appeal to them as they could relate to the school life.
The theme within this documentary is observational/interactive as similarly to a nature/wildlife documentary there are
voiceovers throughout the documentary commentating on what is happening or telling a back story of a student/teacher
etc.This documentary is also observational as some of the camera shots that are used like in the corridors are unseen by
the majority of the students which makes the documentary seem more naturalistic and not staged.There are parts in the
documentary where either a teacher or pupil are filmed in front of a white background, the use of direct address allows
the documentary to move onto another scene which has been spoke about previously, this makes the documentary
more professional within its editing skills and also makes it more intriguing to watch. Each episode focuses upon one
particular student/teacher/ friendship group then the rest of the episode focuses on the school life.The use of direct
address allows the audience to relate to the particular individual and their story. For example one of the episodes tells a
story of a typically naughty boy who experiences the death of his brother, as the audience we feel sympathy towards this
boy through the use of direct address, and eye line match shots. Editing is very important within showing various
emotions and storylines within this documentary as the producers would initially want the audience become involved
within the lives of the pupils and the teachers, this ultimately then encourages the audience to continue watching the
other episodes. I would expect the Psychographics of this documentary to be mainstreamers due to this group being
interested in other peoples lives and what happens in various situations.