The document discusses the filming techniques used in the documentary series Big Brother. High angle shots from security cameras are often used, making the audience feel like they are surveilling the housemates. Long takes are also utilized to give unedited access to the people in the house. Sound includes diegetic speech from conversations and non-diegetic voiceovers. The iconic music and the house itself serve as key conventions that define the Big Brother format.
2. CAMERA SHOTS
High angle shots are regularly used in this documentary.This makes the
documentary feel like it is a surveillance video as they are watching peoples every
move inside the house from what appears to be a security camera. It makes the
audience feel as if they are spying on all the people in the house as they can see
what they are up to. Also the high angle is used with a wide shot to show the
whole of a room or area in the house.This allows the audience to see most if not
everything the people in the house get up to. Most of the house is watched by
these cameras so everything is monitored. Finally close ups are used from time to
time to single out a particular person when they are the main person in a episode.
3. EDITING
Long takes are used mostly in this documentary so the audience can see
everything that happens and they know that nothing is cut in a scene.The long
takes are usually done with the high angle cameras and again give a feeling to the
audience that they are watching over them.The long take means nothing has
been edited out and allows the audience all access to the people in the big brother
house. Cut is the main transition used in this documentary. It allows a simple
switch to different camera angles and shots, which is useful when there is one
particular event going on.
4. SOUND
Digetic sound is used in the form of speech in this documentary. It comes from the
people in the house and what they have to say.This can from either conversations
with each other or speaking to big brother itself.The audience will feel like they
are eavesdropping into their conversations as they are just watching everything
they do. Non-digetic sound is also used in the form of a voice over.The voice over
is used to introduce scenes and to set up the show, this is usually done over
footage of the house. Finally the soundtrack is a very iconic part of big brother as
it uses its own and very famous music for the show.
5. MISE EN SCENE
The location is the main convention of this documentary. It is based around
people staying inside this particular house. It is the most iconic part of the
documentary and its is shown off as much as possible.The show is based around
people living in this house for a few weeks making the location one of the key
conventions.