Use of sound within specific documentaries

1. Use of Sound Within
Human Behaviour Documentaries
(Narrative & How the Story is Told)
BY EMMA AND FELAN

2. Use of Sound: Educating Yorkshire
Incidental music is used throughout the title sequence, the mix of tempo throughout the music
represents the ‘ups and downs’ of school year/life and how it can completely change within the
matter of minutes. This can clearly show the audience how they should feel and give them more
understanding of what is going on in the scene.
A score is used and layered behind some of the speech to create a mood about what is being
said. For example throughout some of the interviews music is used – this is to express the
situation in another way to get across the mood of the scene. With the use of a score the
audience understands that what is being said and that it is genuinely heartfelt.
Music with a slow tempo creates the idea for the audience that something upsetting or serious
has happened. Also music is used with an upbeat tempo – this is because using upbeat music
shows the audience that what is happening needs paying attention to – the upbeat music can
symbolise happy or exciting things throughout the show.

3. Narrative & How the Story is Told:
Educating Yorkshire
A voice over is used throughout the show to explain to the audience clearly what is happening.
The voice over is effective because some people may not be able to understand the accent of
the Yorkshire kids and staff. Also the voice over is effective because things happen quite quickly
for example a fight kicking off, that can happen quickly and so the audience could miss it so
easily.
Students and staff in the school are frequently interviewed throughout the show, this is also a
form of narrative because they are explaining what is happening/what has happened and they
are also giving their perspective of the situation so you can hear each opinion and side of the
stories.
By using interviews everyone has their say on what has happened/what is happening. Also by
using the interviews the audience can really see that the school is based around community and
working together, which gives the audience a very realistic view on schools and how they
function in ‘real life’.

4. Use of Sound: Don’t Tell the Bride
Incidental music is used throughout the title sequence, this has been used alongside a voice
over to make the beginning of the show seem exciting and full of surprises and unexpected
things.
Music is included into the show behind the interviews, this is to make the interview more
interesting. Throughout the beginning interviews the music used is upbeat and used to create
excitement throughout the show – however later on in the show in the interviews the music can
vary and become more serious if the mood changes – for example the bride may be crying and
so slowly tempo music can be introduced.
A score is used throughout the show to signify the mood for example when the bride is looking
at her dream dress or when she is looking at the venue that she wants. This is when the mood
would change which is signified by the score for the audience.

5. Narrative & How the Story is Told:
Don’t Tell the Bride
A voice over is used throughout this show – it is used during every scene, apart from the final
one to explain what is happening throughout the course of two weeks and how the people in
the show are feeling – also the voice over gives an overview of things, for example the things
that the budget has been spent on. This is effective because this means that the audience are
involved and understand what has been happening even though they haven’t physically seen it
all.
Interviews are used throughout the show – they explain to the audience what has been
happening – but also the interviews explain how the bride and groom are feeling and what they
are thinking about what has been happening. This shows the audience that there is (usually) a
mix of opinion between the interviewees.

6. Use of Sound: Keeping up with the
Kardashians
This documentary, for each episode uses incidental music to begin the show – this gives the
show a theme song so that people can recognise the show as soon as the title sequence begins,
there is no mistaking the theme song and so it is recognised for the show alone. The incidental
music is also used to entertain as it is an appealing, attractive and upbeat sound for the
audience to enjoy.
Also used in the show is a score – this is used for moments of sadness, upset, anger and any
emotions that are included in the show really. The score is effective for the audience because it
represents how they should feel.

7. Narrative & How the Story is Told:
Keeping up with the Kardashians
A voice over is used throughout the each episode – but not as frequently as other
documentaries – the voice over is used to explain certain scenes and things happening however
some of the cast are used as the voiceover to address the audience – for example when they say
the line at the beginning of the show; “Last time on Keeping up with the Kardashians” this is
effective because the audience get to know who is talking and also feel more like the show is
about them.
Another form of narration for this show is the camera – the camera is constantly focused on
somebody in the family. The use of the camera throughout the show is intrusive and constant
throughout – this may make the audience feel involved and like they are getting to know
everything that is happening and that they aren’t missing anything.

8. Analysis:
By looking at the above documentaries I have discovered that most commonly used is a voice
over to explain what is happening to the audience – also I have found that they are effective
because they help the audience to understand what is happening is depth.
Also I have found that the use of interviews and questioning is included a lot throughout
documentaries and it helps the audience to understand the different opinions of the people
included in the documentary.
Using a score or music comes in helpful for documentaries too because they create a mood and
a feeling for the audience to understand clearly without it having to be over explained to them.
All the sounds used throughout documentaries are very similar and are used for the same things
they all work effectively even in different styles of documentaries.