2. TYPE OF DOCUMENTARY
‘Twinsters’ tells the journey of two twins separated at birth, Samantha and
Anais, then they end up finding each other over the internet and end up
reuniting after 25 years. This documentary was written and directed by
Samantha Furterman and also Ryan Miyamoto directed. Netflix produced
this documentary, most people view it on there.
‘Twinsters’ is a mixed documentary as it uses a combination of interviews,
observation of their lives and also it is narrated at some points throughout.
It is also said to be a fly on the wall documentary at the same time,
because at some points the camera tends to just follow the girls around
and they acknowledge it too.
3. THEMES
There are many different themes used throughout this
documentary. The main theme included is family, because the
twins are wondering if they are related and they end up
finding out that they are identical twins that were separated.
Also, the whole time the twins are trying to find their birth
mother and reunite their family. There are also themes such
as, travelling, adoption and science as they speak with
doctors and experts throughout and they also test their DNA.
4. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
There is no voiceover narration during this documentary,
however both Sam and Anais talk to the camera and
explain what is happening. The documentary is in
chronological order and is linear, also it has an open and
closed narrative as the ending is defined for both twins,
however it is left open at the same time because they did
not get any answers about their birth mother.
5. CAMERAWORK
‘Twinsters’ used many different shot types such as, mid shots, medium
close ups, long shots and close ups. There is also and establishing shot
used to show where they are and what is around for example, shops and
restaurants in LA (Sam’s hometown). These shot types get used to
entice the viewer to carry on watching and to hold their attention. There
is a long shot of Anais on her skateboard in the street which suggests
her hobbies and interests, maybe connoting that there are differences
between the twins as Sam enjoys acting which can be stereotyped to be
quite girly. Furthermore, there is a close up of their faces and then
holding hands when they are at the twin convention which may convey
their love for each other and their new found connection they have. Also,
every time they are getting interviewed both twins are seen from a mid
shot point of view so the audience can focus on their facial expressions.
Establishing Shot Medium Close Up
6. MISE-EN-SCENE
The mise-en-scene is portrayed through the clothes that everyone is
wearing and where the cameras are set up and interviewing people
from. For example, when the twins are speaking to the doctor about
the possibility of them being related, it is obvious that they are in a
doctors office because there is a desk with a lot of paperwork on it
and there are books on shelves surrounding the place which have
medical titles. Also, the doctor is wearing a white coat with a
stethoscope which instantly tells the audience that she is an expert
and she is also wearing glasses which could suggest that she is
smart therefore a doctor as glasses tend to have a stereotype of
intelligence attached to them. Furthermore, both twins are wearing
casual clothing which may convey that they both lead normal lives
like everyone else.
Smart clothing; looks
professional
7. SOUND
Next, the sound plays a huge role in the codes and conventions
of a documentary. For example, in ‘twinsters’ there is non-
diegetic music playing that relates to the twins different
backgrounds when they were growing up such as, there is
French music playing as Sam arrives in France because this is
the place that Anais grew up. Also, there is happy and calming
music playing whenever the twins are talking about each other,
suggesting that they are loving the fact they have a new person
in their life. Moreover, piano music plays when they discuss
about going back to where they were born; Korea almost like
the piano is representing their mood. However, it is completely
silent when they are both waiting for their DNA results
connoting the anxiousness and nervousness that they both
feel.
8. EDITING
Throughout this documentary, there were many different editing
techniques used such as, cut aways when people are getting
interviewed and when the twins are buying food- simple shots
that make all the difference. Also, montage editing is included
when they both meet up in London for the first time and when
both of them are getting examined at the doctor’s office.
Whenever Sam and Anais are talking to each other the lighting
is always bright suggesting happiness when they talk to each
other and that it is positive. Furthermore, there are also time
lapses of the LA pier maybe to imply how Sam has lived her
whole life and the comparison between their lives. There is also
a time lapse when they are both at the airport going to Korea.
Cut Aways
9. ARCHIVE MATERIAL
The archive material included throughout this documentary
includes, photos and videos. There are still photos used to
show the twins lives before they found each other for
example, baby photos of them both and photos of them
growing up with their adopted families. Furthermore, there
was information used from books in the doctor’s office to
give the twins more knowledge of what happened to them
and to see if this has occurred with anyone else previously.
Still Photos
10. GRAPHICS
Throughout this documentary there are graphics that set the tone for it.
For example, name plates appear on the screen whenever an expert is
shown and are talking about the experience such as, the science to see if
the twins are biologically related. There is also illustrations and
animations such as, the dream that Sam has about meeting Anais and
she ends up not liking Sam, through this it is portraying what Sam is
going through at this time; that she could be worrying – this lets the
audience feel sympathy for her. There are also animations when Sam is
going back home and then they eventually meet up again foreshadowing
that they actually will. Also, charts flash up on the screen to show the
audience the similarities and differences between the twins for example,
one twin is more competitive than the other. Lastly, there is also
confirmation of plane tickets being bought when they both have to go
back home which is quite a sad moment for them which connotes
empathy towards the audience.
Animations
11. THEORY
Propps theory is included in this documentary as Sam and
Anais are shown as the ‘heroes’ for finding each other
and trying to get in contact with their birth mother.
However, their birth mother can be portrayed as the
‘villain’ as she denied ever having children and refused
to meet her twins.
The uses and gratifications theory is used in this
documentary as it informs the audience about adoption
and the power of the internet. It also acts to improve
people’s knowledge on separation at birth in different
countries.
