2. Typeofdocumentary
Observation Interview
The Big Gypsy Eviction is a
mixture of two different
types of documentary. It
consists of both observation
and interview.
Much of the documentary is an
observation of life inside Dale Farm site
and the audience feel as though they’re
a fly on the wall. This puts them in a
role of eyewitness as the camera
appears to be unseen.An example of
observation in the documentary is
inside the courtroom when the legal
matters of their living is discussed.
Interviews often feature throughout
the documentary as well creating a
contrast in the acknowledgement
of the camera. This allows the
filmmaker to get direct responses
and generally answers all of the
questions the viewers may have
about the gypsies lifestyle
4. Narrativestructure
Multi-stranded: The documentary does not only focus on the eviction at Dale Farms,
but also explores the ejection of gypsies in the past as well as a recent eviction at
another traveller site only a few miles away.
Linear: The documentary runs in a chronological order from start to finish.
Open: By the end of the documentary, although we find out that it has been confirmed
the travellers at Dale Farms are given an eviction notice, the audience do not find out
whether the council’s attempt to remove the travellers is successful. This leaves the
audience on a cliffhanger which is heightened by the travellers who say after the hearing
that they are going to protest the removal of their home.
5. camerawork
Crane shot: This crane shot
is used to introduce the
documentary making the
audience immediately aware of
the environment at which the
gypsies have settled in. This is
an ideal shot to begin the
programme with as it captures
the main focus of the
documentary.
Zoom out: Later, the camera
cuts back to this crane shot and
then zooms out. This has the effect
of revealing how the gypsies are
isolated from society as the outward
zoom exposes how secluded the
travellers are from mainstream
towns and villages.
6. Handheld: The use of a
handheld camera during an
interview with one of the gypsy
boys gives a very shaky and
unsettled shot which is perhaps
symbolic of how unsettled his life is
as a traveller. Moreover, at this
point the camera is on an upward
tilt making the boy appear elevated
suggesting how he is rather
intimidating and may pose as a
threat to locals.
Mid-shot: Contrastingly, during
an interview with the man who
owns the land that the gypsies are
illegally living on, the camera is
completely sturdy and level
showing him in a mid-shot. This
could be suggesting how his
lifestyle is much more settled and
desirable as he poses no threat to
the audience and seems much
more obliging.
Two-shot: In the
documentary, two-shots are
used in interviews to clearly
present the interviewees
allowing them to address the
camera with their thoughts on
the eviction. This particular two-
shot shows two young gypsy
girls conversing about their fate
should they be removed from
Dale Farms.
7. mise-en-scene
The code of attire of these men makes the
audience immediately aware of who they are
and what they’re associated with. As they are
police, this suggests that the gypsies are
causing trouble and breaking the law to the point
that police intervention is required. Throughout the documentary, there are
frequent shots of nature and greenery. This
depicts the environment at which the
gypsies are living in and gives the viewer an
idea of their setting.
However, the opposers of the
gypsies are filmed inside a pub
which reinforces British value and
tradition as this is a stereotypical
place a Brit visit. As their scenery
is indoors, this could also suggest
that these average British people
are more civilised than the
travellers who largely seen
outdoors or in caravans.
8. Mise-en-scenecont.
This shot shows the fair which all
the travellers gather at and a
large number of people can be
seen. This conveys how
travellers have a strong sense of
community and reinforces their
traditions.
Another setting at which we see the
gypsies visit is the church. This is also
reinforcing their tradition as we as the
audience get an insight into their
catholicism.
Inside the conference hall
is another frequent setting
in the documentary. This
allows the viewer an
inside perspective on the
travellers’ battle with the
council.
9. Sound
Voiceover - The voiceover of the documentary speaks frequently throughout it’s
course supplying the audience with information about the topics being explored. As the
voiceover is omniscient, it fills any gaps that the audience may have in their queries
about the gypsy lifestyle and sometimes offers facts about travellers, past and present.
Digetic - The digetic sound of the documentary includes talks with interviewees, the
activists arguing against the eviction, and all the noise created by walking, driving
etc...Additionally, during the fair a boy is seen riding a small horse which lets out a
neighing sound resembling it’s discomfort. This implies the mistreatment of the animal
suggesting how travellers have no consideration for animal welfare.
Non-digetic - The only non-digetic sound in the documentary is the background music.
When heard, this is either a traveller song which reinforces their culture, or a drum that
builds up tension.
10. TheTeamEditing
There is not a diverse use of editing throughout ‘The
Big Gypsy Eviction’ as only a few simple techniques
are incorporated. This includes cuts which provide a
quick change of scenery and prevents too many long
takes that would bore the audience. There are also
numerous fades to and from black signifying a change
in time and narrative.
12. Graphics
This graphic appears at the beginning
of the documentary and clearly
displays the title of the show.
During interviews, there is a graphic
display of the interviewees name
and connection to the eviction
informing the audience of who the
person is that’s talking.
The final graphic of the documentary
tells the audience what the footage did
not capture giving them some closure
on the decision of the council.
