- The document discusses existing products that could be used as examples for a documentary on whether video games cause violence, including podcasts by Louis Theroux and Zach Galifinakis' talk show. - Research analysis found that the existing products incorporate in-depth analysis and opinion-based discussions, which will be included in the project. - Primary audience research through surveys found that most game players are aged 17-20 and do not think games cause violence, while non-players disagree. - Subject research discussed arguments on both sides of the debate, and practical research tested equipment for the documentary.

1. Research
Aaron Scott

2. Existing Product
Despite not being an actual documentary,
Louis Theroux uses his signature
documentarian style to interview a range of
celebrities over the various lockdowns of the
past year. The reason I am using podcast as the
existing product is because of how it was
recorded. Louis used zoom to conduct his
interviews, which is a great way of doing them
in the current lockdown climate, so I could use
this style to interview a different range of people and discuss my topic as we can all be shown
on screen at the same time. Also another pro is that the people that I am wanting to reach out
to our in places like America and Canada so this would obviously create a better opportunity to
talk to them
Louis’ style of interviewing as friendly and approachable, he comes across as a genuine and
understanding while subtly asking important questions. I will try to employ this tactic I feel it
is a good method of getting answers without coming across as too pushy.

3. Existing Product
Despite being a parody, between
two ferns with Zach Galifinakis is a
great example of a chat
show/documentary as it sounds
into background of the
interviewees and eventually asks
and get answers to various
different questions. I particularly
like the camera setup of the show
as it is a basic single shot camera
angle which shows both
interviewer and interviewee I think
if I could find the right space I could execute this and have discussions face-to-face with friends
about the topic as it can incorporate social distancing quite easy

4. Existing Product
It's not being a documentary or an interview,
video essays by Jacob Geller are in-depth and
present a multitude of different ways of
looking at things, I can incorporate this into
my documentary as I will use similar methods
of analysis to present a grounded realistic
and balanced argument to portray both
opinions. Also strive to have the same level of
detail and information in my documentary as
Geller does in his videos.
I Believe this level of in-depth analysis is vital to the documentary as it would be hard to
encourage viewers to make their decisions on the topic using only base level knowledge and so
going in-depth doing statistics, picking a part of the messages of a game, as well as the different
categories and types of games would allow an audience to be able to make conclusive and
informed decisions

5. Existing Product
The Basement yard is a comedy podcast, the reason I am using this as my
existing product is because I like the style in which it is conducted. They
talk about real world issues and debates, but instead of debating and
having deep discussions which can come across as dark or too deep
for a comedy podcast, they talk about it in more of a comedic having
a chat way which still gets their respective points across but in a more
user friendly manor which overall appeals to more audiences
I want my documentary to come across in this way as some of the topics
surrounding violence and the nature of certain games/crimes can deter some viewers.

6. Research Analysis
• Each existing product I mentioned uses at
least some form of in-depth analysis and
opinion based discussions
• I will incorporate both of these into my project
as

7. Audience Research

8. Secondary Audience research
• GTA V
– Main age group of 16-35 year olds
– 50/50 gender split

9. Secondary Audience research
In reality it is hard to pin down a demographic
for video games as they encompass such a large
variety of categories, age ranges, gender and
any other factor. Games range from titles such
as Outer Wilds, a 2019 adventure puzzle game
developed by Mobius digital to other titles such
as 2020’s The Last Of Us 2, a zombie shooter
emotional rollercoaster developed by naughty
dog.

10. Secondary Audience research
• Firewatch
– Developed by Capo Entertainment and published
in 2016
– Falls under the Adventure/Mystery umbrella
– Rated for ages 16+ but mainly popular in the 18-
25 age ranges
– Contains minimal violence and language

11. Primary Audience research
• For my research I set out a questionnaire, asking people
their age, if they play video games, what type of games and
if they think video games cause violence and have their
benefits
• So far the majority of people who play video games are 17-
20 years old and think the benefits of playing video games
are much greater than the downfalls, whereas the older
people and those who do not play video games think that
the cost far outweighs the benefits. This to me makes sense
as the people who actually play video games and are the
games demographic think that they are beneficial where as
the people who grew up in a time where video games
aren’t as advanced as they are now think they cause
violence and un beneficial to players.

12. Primary Audience research

13. Primary Audience research
Majority was action/adventure and shooting

14. Primary Audience research
Majority said no as most people can distinguish between whats acceptable
in a game and real life
General consensus said there are many benefits to gaming such as escapism, relieves stress
and depression and contact with friends.
Roll it is clear that people who play games can see that they do not cause violence in the
real world whereas people of the older generation, or people who do not play games I think
they cause violence in the real world, in my documentary I will take both of these points to
attempt to create a balanced narrative and equally display both view points9

15. Subject Research
• Link between video games and violence in the
real world is tenuous and coincidental and best,
some of the games mentioned in the article by
Philip M. Boffey are purposely made by right-
wing, extremist, and other hate groups which is a
miniscule minority of the total games in
circulation, making up <1% of total games in
circulation. Buffy then goes on to mention about
the numerous school shootings over in the
United States, however a quick look at some of
the manifestoes of the shooters show that their
actions were fuelled by some other means

16. Subject Research
Whether it is very plausible to believe that video
games can cause real world violence and the
gruesome and gory nature of certain games can
desensitise children from a young age and have the
potential for them to replicate what they see.
This was shown in 2014 went to 12 year old girls
from Washington lured their friend into the woods
and stabbed her 19 times in an offer/sacrifice to the
fictional character slender man

17. Subject Research
• Words from professionals
• Bryan Dechart: “Violence and War predate
videogames by thousands of years. Videogames
are an evolution of media to explore and express
the human condition, which includes living in a
violent world, and an evolution of games and
sport, which in my opinion also create a more
productive outlet for competition between
groups and build community instead of
destroying it.”
• David Bateson: Video Pending

18. Practical Research

19. Practical Research
• Testing Camera quality:

20. Practical Research
Testing voice over

21. Practical Research
Testing overlay

22. Practical Research
Testing title cards

23. Bibliography

24. Bibliography
1. Scott, Aaron. (2020) Target Audience Research Survey (conducted on
02/03/2020)
2. Bateson, David. (2021) Target Audience Interviews (conducted on march
9th )