Kenny Rodgers Cards on the Table is a documentary that uses a mix of interviews, narration, observational footage, and archive material to tell the story of Kenny Rodgers' life and music career. It focuses on his art, media career, performances, successes, friends and family, and scandals. The documentary has a circular narrative structure that starts and ends in the present day. It follows a single thread of Kenny Rodgers' perspective and leaves room for additional stories in the future.
2. Type of Documentary:
Kenny Rodgers Cards on the Table is a mixed documentary. It contains
interviews, narration, also known as the Voice of God, observational
footage and archive footage.
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4. Themes:
The documentary covers various elements of Kenny Rodgers life. The
documentary focuses on Art such as his music, Media, Performing
(specifically singing), his career success, friends and family and
scandals within his life that have reached newspaper headlines.
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6. Narrative Structure
The documentary follows a circular structure which means that it is
starts in the present day and ends in the present. The structure follows
a singular strand and only follows Kenny Rodgers story line which
contains his stories and opinions on what has happened throughout
his lifetime. There is an open structure within this documentary as
there is more to be told and more stories to tell.
7. Camerawork
Every interviewee is positioned off set from the centre by following the
rule of thirds. There is looking space (empty space) on the opposite
side of the interviewee and they do not look at the camera as they are
looking straight at the interviewer. Interviewees bodies are tilted to
one side and hold an open posture so they convey a more relaxed feel.
An establishing shot is used to create context and establish the
settings and surroundings for the audience. A variety of shots are used,
specifically in observational footage, to make the whole of the
documentary more interesting.
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9. Mise-en-Scene
Kenny Rodgers is situated in a homely setting to create a connection
between him and the audience as this makes him more of a relatable
individual. The journalist, Robert Oerman, has books, records and
rewards in the background which is relevant to him and also shows his
success. Larry Butler, Kenny Rodgers producer, is situated and leant on
a mixing desk which is once again representative to him and his
personality.
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11. Sound
Non diegetic sound is used when Kenny Rodgers music is played in the
background and through the narration. The narration is used to create
meaning and understanding of what is happening throughout the
documentary for the audience. The formal narration guides the
audience through and uses standard English as it is easy to understand
for both the American and English audience. No abbreviations and
slang is used as this could cause confusions for the audience which
don’t speak English as their first language. The narrator uses an high
authority tone of voice as further guidance for the audiences. Diegetic
sound is used in the observational footage and interviews through
dialogue. A sound bridge is used and created with music and dialogue
connecting sequences and clips.
12. Editing
Observational footage is used to cover jump cuts which are needed to
be avoided. Also clips are added in within the middle of the two
separate clips where the questions are asked to create a flow and to
once again avoid jump cuts. Questions lead the answers and therefore
they aren’t necessary to be included within the documentary. Cut
aways are used to show something relevant to what is being said but to
also add information and pace.
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14. Archive Material
Footage from past events is used to provide context and understanding
for the audience and can be repeated due to the topic.
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16. Graphics
Graphics are added in to state the name and position of the interview.
This is a lot quicker than telling the audience exactly who they are and
due to the time they may look quite different to what they used to do
which is shown on the archive footage. Credits are used in the opening
and closing of the documentary.
