What form of documentary?

Now you have looked at a variety of documentary forms- TV programme V film you need to consider which brief you are going to undertake.

Will it be:

2. A promotion package for a new film, to include a trailer, together with two of the following three options:
• a website homepage for the film;
• a film magazine front cover, featuring the film;
• a poster for the film.

or

7. An extract from an original documentary TV programme, lasting approximately five minutes, together with two of the following three options:
• a radio trailer for the documentary;
• a double-page spread from a listings magazine focused on the documentary;
• a newspaper advertisement for the documentary.


If you choose the trailer option you may well have to film more footage, however, as trailers are so formulaic in their structure it will be easier to edit and to create a product with a strong sense of verisimilitude.

Once you have decided on which format film or TV programme you are going to focus on, prepare a detailed textual analysis on an example that you really like/admire/think you want to emulate.

You need to:

1. Embed a link of the documentary in your blog
2. Screen shot at least 6 key frames that you really like
comment on them identifying the following;

camera shot & movement
mise-en-scene
action
Representation
voiceover
INTERVIEWS With subject/expert
STORYTELLING TECHNIQUES Stock, historical, or archival footage
Re-enactment
Narrator / voice-over
Who is telling the story?
Scripted dialogue
INFORMATION SOURCES Were there attempts to persuade?
Were factual claims made?