This documentary examines the career and marketing of musician Meatloaf. It uses a variety of documentary techniques including interviews, archival footage, narration, and observations of Meatloaf's music industry experiences like album signings and award show appearances. The documentary follows Meatloaf's career from initial rejection by a record label to later success and comeback attempts. It explores themes of the music business, success and failure, reinvention, and music marketing strategies. Scenes from award ceremonies and interviews with industry figures provide context on Meatloaf's journey in the industry.

1. The Music Biz- Documentary:
The marketing of Meatloaf
By Georgia Ryall

2. Type of documentary
The documentary type is mixed for a few of the different elements. There a combination of:
• Talking head interviews
• Archive materials
• Vox pops
• Behind the scenes footage
• Narration (voice of God)
• Observations

3. Themes
There are a few different themes which run throughout the documentary:
• Music
• The music industry (hardships, the truth, busy)- Meatloaf was originally rejected from the
music label.
• Success vs failure (in the music business)
• Reinvention
• Comebacks
• Making money from music
• Music marketing- Follows the American marketing/ music business specifically in
Meatloaf’s career through events such as CD signings and through magazine publications.
• Music awards- archive footage of music ceremony's such as the Grammys.

4. Narrative
The opening sequence introduce the documentary (a taste on what's to come) by
capturing the essence of the documentary with the magazines and artists (very famous in
the time of 1994) such as Bon Jovi and Meatloaf. The whole documentary is guided by a
‘voice of God’ narration. The establishing shots of the award ceremony’s allow the
watcher to understand the busy atmosphere of the music business which is often
replaced by high quality shows of the glamorous side (the celebrities). There are many
technological paraphernalia which shown the raw/ manic side of the paparazzi/celebrity
lifestyle. The main subject (Meatloaf) is not introduced until about 20 minutes into the
documentary.

5. Camera
• There was hand held video footage shown at the award ceremony’s (particularly in the
Grammys) – this was to show the nature of the music industry which is busy, exciting,
raw.
• Birds eye view of the venue of the Grammys- show the high quality video footage
(shown to TV watcher) and the excitement of the celebrities sat down.
• Panning shot used frequently
• Chroma Key (camera trick)- people being interviewed in front of the image of Meatloaf
(he is the subject of conversation)
• Many close up shots were used in reference to Meatloaf representing his importance in
the documentary and in the music industry.

6. Mise-en- scene
• Insight of red carpet: in front and behind the camera (behind the scenes)
• Paparazzi battling for attention (celebrities)
• Camera flashes
• Security
• The locations in documentary: Music Awards, on set with Meatloaf, magazine
companies, Virgin records, Recording studio, music shops (high street) and William Hill
betting. All of the locations shown in the documentary represent marketing strategy
and Meatloaf’s musical journey. Meatloaf’s supporters/ fans are also looked at.

7. Sound
• ‘Voice of God’ narration throughout which lead the documentary.
• Sound bridges (overlaps) into new scene or interview.
• Diegetic sound is used through the elements of interviews and narration.
• Non- diegetic sound is also used in the documentary. They played some of Meatloaf’s
songs particularly the popular track ‘I would do anything for love’.
• Sound effects are also used such as during the Top of the pops count down.

8. Editing
• There are many elements of crosscutting used, especially during the music awards
scenes. Crosscutting between locations (shows difference between in front of and behind
the cameras).
• No refined editing technique- no transition to new scene (basic cuts used mostly)
• Long takes were used the most- especially during the interviews (including Meatloaf).
• B roll footage while Meatloaf talks about comeback.
• Slow motion used on Meatloaf- forces attention onto him, enhances his importance in
the documentary.
• Blue screen is also used during the interviews; the interviewee has a correlated mise-en-
scene to the nature of the interview. For example: Magazine, bat out of hell album cover,
photo of Meatloaf in concert and Virgin records.

9. Graphics
• The beginning of the documentary had a the layout of magazines (celebrity ones) with
video footage of different famous musicians and those who work in the music industry
(especially in 1994).
• The name of the interviewee and their role in the music industry/ documentary.
• The logo of the documentary in contrasting colours (bold white with red) and a black
line across the perimeter of the screen.

10. Archive Materials
There are a few instances of archive materials used through the documentary:
• Footage of Meatloaf in the prime of his career
• Grammy awards
• Meatloaf on stage and behind the scenes
• Meatloaf’s meet and greet
• Music videos
• Brit awards
• Acceptance speech montage (winners)
• Celebrities on the red carpet