David Bowie: sound and vision

1. DAVID BOWIE:
SOUND AND VISION

2. KEY THEMES
● DAVID BOWIE
● HIS CAREER
● HIS PERSONAL LIFE
● HIS ACHIEVEMENTS
● MUSIC
● FILM
● FAME AND PUBLICITY

3. TYPE OF DOCUMENTARY
Sound and vision is a biographical documentary on the life of David Bowie.
Interviews are included as intercut fragments combined with archive
footage to create a chronological representation of his life.

4. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
Life and sound strays from the conventions of many documentaries as
there is no socially critical argument or key question being explored
throughout. The exposition is simply his life story so the narrative can
be seen as both open and closed as the questions the viewer may have
whilst watching are completely unique to the individual. The
documentary is definitely linear, starting from Bowie’s childhood and
following right through his career in chronological order. It could also
be seen as multi-stranded as various topics within his life are explored
e.g. his financial situation, his personal relationships, his career and his
drug use.

5. CAMERAWORK
Establishing shots are used throughout the documentary, each time a
significant location is mentioned e.g. Bowie’s hometown. This gives the
audience a visual idea of the story being told and sets the scene.
Viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the story by seeing where it
takes place.
For interviews, mid shots are used which creates a focus on the
interviewee and what they are saying. The blank background
maintains the focus on their dialogue and prevents any distractions.
As some of the interviewee’s are well renowned people, this shot is
close enough to establish their presence.
Multiple zooms are used on old pictures or footage of Bowie so the
camera shifts focus from just David, to show the whole frame. This
provides full close detail on David himself in the photos to keep on topic,
yet also shows his relationship with his surroundings and other people in
the images.

6. A zoom in is used on a photo of Bowie when discussing his injury to his
eye which left him with a permanently dilated pupil. The close up of his
eyes goes into an extreme close up of just the one eye which again is
included so the audience have a visual representation of what is being
said and deepens their understanding of the narrator’s story.
A low angle shot is used in archival footage of Bowie’s acting debut
in a short film. The shot shows him at the top of a staircase after
being stabbed. In the film this shot is likely used for intimidating and
dramatic effect but in the documentary is included to express his role
in the film and showcase his acting.
Racking focus is used in a shot of a David Bowie record being
played. The record is initially spinning so the title is unclear but as
the spinning slows down, there is a focus on the title ‘Space oddity’
which anchors the theme of the documentary further.

7. MISE-EN-SCENE
Due to the style of the documentary, the only real location outside of archive
footage is the interview room which is kept simple with a dull, plain
background to maintain emphasis on the interviewee’s and what they are
saying. In the establishing shots, locations like Brixton and Bromley are
shown to display significant places in his life. The majority of the archival
footage is taken from Bowie’s performances onstage which keeps the theme
of the documentary relevant and strong throughout.

8. ARCHIVE FOOTAGE
Archive footage is used from various parts of David’s
life, mostly during the peak of his career to fit alongside
the voice over by providing a visual explanation of the
audio. A lot of footage is from backstage, or photos
from his personal life which makes viewers gain an
insight into his life beyond the media and engages their
need to be informed.

9. SOUND
DIGETIC: digetic sound is provided by dialogue in interviews, and from
archival footage. Background noise and sounds can be heard in a lot of the
archive footage which re-inforces the realism of it and highlights the lack of
staging.
NON DIGETIC: This is provided by the voiceover who follows David’s
biography through narration. His identity is not mentioned through the
documentary which gives him an unbiased and reliable voice of authority.
Bowie’s music is often included in pauses from narration which keeps
bringing the focus of the documentary back to his music and intensifying the
theme.

10. EDITING
Few complex editing techniques are used other than a few
fades and dissolves which are included to help archive footage
flow smoothly together. Continuity editing is used to make
the documentary appear uninterrupted and progress in a way
that reflects his actual life’s progression.