descriptive Analysis of chasing rivers part 1 and part 2 by national geographic for media studies.

2. National Geographic
Documentary analysis – chasing rivers, part 1: The Colorado
Introduction: Colorado based Pete McBride, has been
on some incredible adventures. As a self-taught,
award-winning adventure photographer, filmmaker,
writer, and speaker, he’s been to over 65 countries to
cover stories for National Geographic Society,
Smithsonian, Outside, Esquire, Sports Illustrated and
many more. Pete McBride went on a journey to study
a water source close to his heart, the Colorado River.
This river, in the Southwestern United States, spans
seven US states and runs into Mexico before emptying
into the Gulf of California. On his journey, McBride
gained valuable insights into how our lives are deeply
intertwined with our rivers and how critical it is to
remember that our decisions upstream have enormous
consequences for those downstream.

3. This is an example of a reflexive documentary as it involves the filmaker in the film and no other external
subjects.What I love about Pete’s work is his personal journey. His photo journalistic style carries us along with
him to discover the highs and lows of a troubled water system. Rafting, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and even
hiking (dry) rivers, Pete weaves beautiful imagery into a tapestry of experience & authentic adventure. His
dedication inspires us to not just explore our world, but to know it, experience it, get involved, and to do what
we can to make a difference.
Film maker (Pete McBride)
Reflexive Documentary
Definition: is when the filmmaker
acknowledges their presence – They are in
front of the camera and give some narrative
guidance.
Extra Information: To aid the audience in their
understanding of the process of construction
in a film so that they could develop a
sophisticated and critical attitude

4. The documentary begins with a wide angle time lapse which showcases the clouds moving
over the Colorado river. This shot also serves as an establishing shot. This could be
interpreted with the passing of time. Indicating that the condition of the river has
deteriorated over time due to several external factors caused by human beings. By using
time passage techniques that the audience is accustomed to seeing, its easier for them to
follow your story. The next shot shows a very shaky video of the Pete walking through a
desert. This shot is aimed at giving the viewers the feel of being there or in other words
being put in the narrators shoes which is then followed by a jump cut shot which gives the
audience the feel of the long journey Pete has been through in a shorter period of time.
There is a mild non diegetic piano music in the
background which compliments the effort put forth by
Pete on this journey. This music is gradually shifted to a
more upbeat one catching the audiences attention after
the narrator explains how the Colorado riverbed which
had been covered in sand finally filled with water and
hit the sea after nearly 2 decades. There is a scenic wide
angle shot of the river followed by an Ariel shot which is
where the title is placed.
Time Lapse
Wide angle shot

5. The next part of the documentary begins with a wide shot of the Pete
on a huge stage beside a screen indicating that he is giving a speech
to a very large crowd. There is then a mid shot which much closer to
Pete as he introduces himself . Being the only one on the frame it
helps give more significance to him and the distance is to ensure the
speech is personnel. The camera is moved in closer while he speaks
about his experiences in order for the audience to be able to view his
emotions. There are several inserts of a pictures of the plane he flew
across the Nile in and the map of the pathway of this river. This is
followed by a cutaway to a side angle of Pete giving his speech. The
next few shots involve Pete explaining why he took up the journey
and a few slides in between to showcase his hometown instead of
letting the imagination to the viewers. This then followed by a pan
shot of the pyramid peak where he first started his journey vs a slide
of how its condition has deteriorated and looks right now. After some
discussion on the Colorado river there is an Ariel shot of several
horses and their shadows. The reason for this shot is for us to
visualize where we are now and where we're going with this
landscape. And finally towards 5:00 mins there is a mid shot photo of
Pete and his father in a plane

6. National Geographic
Chasing rivers, part 2: The Ganges
Similar to the first part, this documentary begins with a time
lapse of a fish market and boat parking area of people moving
around dusk to people utilizing the waters of the Ganges for
several holy purposes. There is a non diegetic background
music of temple bells which helps associate the river Ganges to
holy purposes. The time lapse also shows the passing of time
from the evening skies to the night. This is then followed by
shots of the river from different angles at different parts of the
day being used for different purposes. This includes a shot
using a fish eye used to show that the river extends way
beyond . And other Ariel shots of prayers and close up shots of
families praying to wash away their sins . The filmmaker
captures a lot of Ariel shots to showcase the paradox of how
people pollute the river Ganges while interpreting it as god
and call it sick while also expecting the river to restore itself.
There is then a wide angle shot of a prayer happening towards
the river which is believed to be god. This is then followed by
two lamps floating on the river at night when the title is
presented in white letters which is followed by the audiences
claps which helps the audience smoothly transition from where
they are right now to one of the audience in the during the
speech given by Pete.

7. The next part of the documentary involves a more
informative talk about the location and the rivers
association to a goddess by Pete with several fade
transitions to the rivers map and the festivals involving
worship of the river. The process of Pete journey to
following the water of the Ganges there were several
unfortunate circumstances however the group managed
to get through and the process of travelling from start
to finish is shown through several photographs some
slowly zooming in for a more captive look . All these
photographs were wide angle shots as they showcased
different views of the mountain they were about to
climb and this alternated with mid shots of Pete talking
us through the journey.

8. moving on there is an Ariel shot of this area called Utakash .The Ariel shot was to show the thickly populated
vast settlement and how it was affected by the glacial outburst of one of the Ganges rivers tributaries. This
Ariel shot includes a pan to show the length of the river going through Utakash. there is a fade transition to a
high angle photo of the terry damn which is the largest damn in Asia. and finally we go back to Pete talking
about the scared controversies behind that damn with which 5 mins of the documentary ends.