•What are your personal memories of Halloween?
•How do you think Halloween has changed since you were younger?
•Many people believe Halloween to be an American holiday; we understand that it originated from Ireland. Is our current obsession with Halloween in this country yet another example that Britain is becoming increasingly Americanised?
•Do you think Halloween has just become another excuse for retailers to target potential consumers?
•The findings from our questionnaire revealed that the holiday is seen as a celebration focused on children; however we feel that the occasion hits every element of culture. For example: student Halloween parties, adult Halloween events, lantern parades, firework displays, etc. How far do you agree with this?
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Drafted Questions for Vicar Ian Smith
•What are your personal memories and traditions for Halloween?
•How do you think Halloween has changed since you were a child?
•The findings from our questionnaire revealed that the holiday is seen as a celebration focused on children; however we feel that the occasion hits every element of culture. For example: student Halloween parties, adult Halloween events, lantern parades, firework displays, etc. How far do you agree with this?
•what do you feel is the church's view towards Halloween and the celebrations?
•Do you believe that Halloween is centred on good an evil? If yes, why? If no, what are you thoughts?
•Taken from an article in the Daily Mail, ‘Church claims Halloween trick or treaters ‘side with the devil’, how far do you agree or disagree with this statement.
•How do you think Halloween has changed since you were a child?
•The findings from our questionnaire revealed that the holiday is seen as a celebration focused on children; however we feel that the occasion hits every element of culture. For example: student Halloween parties, adult Halloween events, lantern parades, firework displays, etc. How far do you agree with this?
•what do you feel is the church's view towards Halloween and the celebrations?
•Do you believe that Halloween is centred on good an evil? If yes, why? If no, what are you thoughts?
•Taken from an article in the Daily Mail, ‘Church claims Halloween trick or treaters ‘side with the devil’, how far do you agree or disagree with this statement.
Script for Voice over
What really is Halloween?
The roots of Halloween date back almost 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the gathering of the harvest and the start of a new year.
Many believe Halloween to be an American holiday for children due to the consumerism. A recent survey said that 20% of public said that it’s a chance to get dressed up. 33.3% said that it’s something for the children. And 30% of people interested believe it to be a religious festival or a celebration of evil. Celebrated throughout many cultures, Halloween has become a major date on the calendar. Children dress up and parents take them trick or treating. However there are people who shut themselves away from this holiday. Is it fair to impose on these people with children’s traditions?
For many children it is simply the time of the year to don fancy dress in the home or charming the neighbors out of a few sweets.
But a church magazine has shocked parents by warning their children would be 'siding with the devil' if they go trick or treating this Halloween.
The roots of Halloween date back almost 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the gathering of the harvest and the start of a new year.
Many believe Halloween to be an American holiday for children due to the consumerism. A recent survey said that 20% of public said that it’s a chance to get dressed up. 33.3% said that it’s something for the children. And 30% of people interested believe it to be a religious festival or a celebration of evil. Celebrated throughout many cultures, Halloween has become a major date on the calendar. Children dress up and parents take them trick or treating. However there are people who shut themselves away from this holiday. Is it fair to impose on these people with children’s traditions?
For many children it is simply the time of the year to don fancy dress in the home or charming the neighbors out of a few sweets.
But a church magazine has shocked parents by warning their children would be 'siding with the devil' if they go trick or treating this Halloween.
Running Order
1. Vox pop opinions of Halloween and trick or treating. A range of ages to show a variety of answers. They will cross fade between each clip. The only sound used would be the voices of the interviewees. Filmed in a busy shopping centre.
20 sec
2.Opening sequence of the letters H A L L O W E E N being carved out then swirls off at the end
3 Sec
3. Clip of Pumpkin being carved and sped up. Medium close up on the pumpkin. This will be speedup 500%. The mise on scene will be simple- outdoors on a table for health and safety and to reduce mess. There will be spook music from the film The shining as a soundtrack. This will end with the finished pumpkin lit and the title will fade onto the screen then the page will twirl off to the sound of a menacing laugh.
27 sec
4. There will be continuity shot of two children dressed up trick or treating. The camera will follow them on there journey to one house. The voice over will be an introduction and results about a survey on what people thought Halloween is about.
20 sec
5.Footage of Halloween decorations with voice over
10 sec
6. Interviews with a vicar and a sociologist will be cut together along with cut aways of – a church from many views, different shop headings, a graveyard, church figures of saints, Halloween merchandise, children at a superhero party, an advert for a shop and fancy dress costumes. And also clips from films, Hocus Pocus and Wicker man. The vicar will talk about the churches view on Halloween and the sociologist will talk about big brand and big business influences on Halloween.
1.40 secs
7. Voice over about religious side, paganism etc… With a reconstruction of a pagan ritual at a fire side.
30 secs
8. Fade out and fade in to priest (high priest of pagans find this) , priest discusses religious side of paganism. Discussion about the great emphasis today on the ghoulish and occult aspects of Halloween? Explanation of November 1 All Saints' Day and November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honour the dead. Discussion about paganism rituals.
2 mins
9.Archive footage of the film, the wicker man. Showing the paganistic rituals. (voice over in beginning discussing about the ritual being used.
30 secs
10. Archive footage of a newspaper article, books with voice over talking about historic articles and books that have been created about Halloween.
40 secs
11. Tracking shot of elderly man walking, voice over talking about the older generation of Halloween.
20 secs
12. Interview with elderly man about Halloween when he was younger and how it’s changed. (cut aways of archive footage of younger children in the early 1900’s and photographs of elderly man when he was younger.)
2 mins
Break 3 mins
13. Voice over talks about Dracula’s and how people believe in them. Asks the questions are they real or not. Discusses Transylvania (archive footage of film Dracula)
1 min
14. Fade from black, establishing shot of hope university. Then goes into the interview with the specialist on Dracula’s. The specialist talks about the articles he wrote about Dracula and what fascinates him about Halloween.
2 mins
15. Track shot through Liverpool to smithies shop, establishing shot of smithies and pan along the different costumes (voice over discussion about costumes and sales and where we are)
30 secs
16. Close up of costumes, people choosing costumes, spooky products. Slow pan around the shop to show how spooky. Voice over continued
30 secs
17. Interview with smithies owner, how sales have gone up? Is smithies a spooky place at Halloween? What’s it like in Liverpool round this time?
2 mins
18. Voice over of what we found out about costumes and discussing teenagers, how they like to dress up. Establishing shot of Weatherhead highschool and a tracking shot round the 6form common room. Clip of the common room being dressed up for Halloween.
30 secs
19. Vox pop of interviews with students. About how excited they are about dressing up for school and discussing their social lives on Halloween.
1 min
20. Cut back to man in graveyard, talking about the sales and teenagers are the main reason why the sales have gone up and the most popular costume (witch) talks about how some people think there witches.
30 secs
21. Reconstruction of witches chanting, voice over of man talking witches, explanation of what witches done on Halloween? Achieve footage of the witches from Macbeth screen play.
1 min
22. Interview with person who thinks she’s a ‘witch’. Discusses rituals, beliefs and history of witches.
2 min
23. Small clips from throughout the show. Discusses what was found overall.
1 min
24.Vox pop of most of the people (interviewees, members of the public) saying one word to summarise Halloween.
1 min
25. Closing credits over montage of films, (scary build ups).
1 min
Total time
27 mins
20 sec
2.Opening sequence of the letters H A L L O W E E N being carved out then swirls off at the end
3 Sec
3. Clip of Pumpkin being carved and sped up. Medium close up on the pumpkin. This will be speedup 500%. The mise on scene will be simple- outdoors on a table for health and safety and to reduce mess. There will be spook music from the film The shining as a soundtrack. This will end with the finished pumpkin lit and the title will fade onto the screen then the page will twirl off to the sound of a menacing laugh.
27 sec
4. There will be continuity shot of two children dressed up trick or treating. The camera will follow them on there journey to one house. The voice over will be an introduction and results about a survey on what people thought Halloween is about.
20 sec
5.Footage of Halloween decorations with voice over
10 sec
6. Interviews with a vicar and a sociologist will be cut together along with cut aways of – a church from many views, different shop headings, a graveyard, church figures of saints, Halloween merchandise, children at a superhero party, an advert for a shop and fancy dress costumes. And also clips from films, Hocus Pocus and Wicker man. The vicar will talk about the churches view on Halloween and the sociologist will talk about big brand and big business influences on Halloween.
1.40 secs
7. Voice over about religious side, paganism etc… With a reconstruction of a pagan ritual at a fire side.
30 secs
8. Fade out and fade in to priest (high priest of pagans find this) , priest discusses religious side of paganism. Discussion about the great emphasis today on the ghoulish and occult aspects of Halloween? Explanation of November 1 All Saints' Day and November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honour the dead. Discussion about paganism rituals.
2 mins
9.Archive footage of the film, the wicker man. Showing the paganistic rituals. (voice over in beginning discussing about the ritual being used.
30 secs
10. Archive footage of a newspaper article, books with voice over talking about historic articles and books that have been created about Halloween.
40 secs
11. Tracking shot of elderly man walking, voice over talking about the older generation of Halloween.
20 secs
12. Interview with elderly man about Halloween when he was younger and how it’s changed. (cut aways of archive footage of younger children in the early 1900’s and photographs of elderly man when he was younger.)
2 mins
Break 3 mins
13. Voice over talks about Dracula’s and how people believe in them. Asks the questions are they real or not. Discusses Transylvania (archive footage of film Dracula)
1 min
14. Fade from black, establishing shot of hope university. Then goes into the interview with the specialist on Dracula’s. The specialist talks about the articles he wrote about Dracula and what fascinates him about Halloween.
2 mins
15. Track shot through Liverpool to smithies shop, establishing shot of smithies and pan along the different costumes (voice over discussion about costumes and sales and where we are)
30 secs
16. Close up of costumes, people choosing costumes, spooky products. Slow pan around the shop to show how spooky. Voice over continued
30 secs
17. Interview with smithies owner, how sales have gone up? Is smithies a spooky place at Halloween? What’s it like in Liverpool round this time?
2 mins
18. Voice over of what we found out about costumes and discussing teenagers, how they like to dress up. Establishing shot of Weatherhead highschool and a tracking shot round the 6form common room. Clip of the common room being dressed up for Halloween.
30 secs
19. Vox pop of interviews with students. About how excited they are about dressing up for school and discussing their social lives on Halloween.
1 min
20. Cut back to man in graveyard, talking about the sales and teenagers are the main reason why the sales have gone up and the most popular costume (witch) talks about how some people think there witches.
30 secs
21. Reconstruction of witches chanting, voice over of man talking witches, explanation of what witches done on Halloween? Achieve footage of the witches from Macbeth screen play.
1 min
22. Interview with person who thinks she’s a ‘witch’. Discusses rituals, beliefs and history of witches.
2 min
23. Small clips from throughout the show. Discusses what was found overall.
1 min
24.Vox pop of most of the people (interviewees, members of the public) saying one word to summarise Halloween.
1 min
25. Closing credits over montage of films, (scary build ups).
1 min
Total time
27 mins
Formal Proposal
Topic
The chosen topic for the documentary is Halloween. We aim to explore the origins of Halloween from the pagan ritual and all hollows eve, then to express how it has been developed into a consumer holiday for dressing up and eat treats. The plan is to express how the supposed American holiday has become a festival in its own right and how it is only really popular within younger generations.
Type of Documentary
Expository as it will mainly be characterised by ‘voice of god’ narration. The voice over will anchor the meaning to the images. Usually expository documentaries are based around a problem which needs solving therefore the basis of this documentary will be the discovery of the development of Halloween. Understanding that documentaries are rarely ever pure of a specific style, there will also be hints of observational. This will be shown through clips of trick or treater’s and also people shopping for Halloween treats, costumes and decorations.
Channel and Scheduling
Through use of intended target audience feedback, the most popular and relevant channel to schedule such a documentary would be channel four. This is because it already shows similar styled documentaries such as ‘Dispatches’ and ‘Witch hunters’. These are both informative and observational. The scheduling was chosen to be 9.30 on Halloween night. This is because it is a one off documentary to entice viewers through the relevance of the occasion. The time 9.30 was chosen as it was past the water shed enabling a wider range of footage and considering the topic is seen as scary. The show scheduled in this time slot usually is ‘Darren Brown’ which receives a very similar target audience to which we aim our documentary. Following the documentary is ‘Peep show’ which receives a young adult target age.
Target Audience
16-28. It is a wide range because we understand that different age groups feel differently about Halloween. This age group of young adults are more likely to be watching T.V at the chosen time and through questionnaires feedback they are the age’s group most interested in the theme of documentary.
Primary Research Needed
Questionnaires for audience feedback. Interviews required; a professor or sociology, a local vicar that knows about pagan rituals, a person who thinks they are a witch, an interview with the manager of a fancy dress shop, an interview with a large chain store manager, an elder person who can talk about how they remember Halloween, and some teenagers and their views on Halloween now.
Secondary Research
Achieve footage from the following things: Hocus Pocus (film), Scream (film), Halloween (film), Casper (film), The Simpsons (TV special), Night of the living dead (film), dawn/Sean of the dead (film), and Psycho (film). There would also be footage of bats, owls and the moon. Other secondary research needed is information from books or the internet about the origins of Halloween for the narration.
Narrative Structure
The narrative structure of the documentary will be linear as it will go through the change of Halloween from the past when it was All Hallows day and a pagan ritual, through to the present and how it has become a consumer holiday.
Outline for Content
The documentary will start with a montage of different symbols of Halloween to introduce the audience to the genre and theme. Then the professor of sociology will explore the origins and about the witches and all hallows day. After which the religious aspect will be incorporated through an interview with the vicar, there will also be the interview with a pagan and someone who believe in spells and witchcraft. Moving on towards how Halloween is currently and there will be interviews with the shop managers and cut aways of different fancy dress costumes and people celebrating Halloween.
Resource Requirements
Equipment needed: Camera, Tri-pod, voice recorder.
Props needed: Mirror, pumpkins, cats, black rose, candles, newspapers and magazines with Halloween related covers, Suit for presenter, church bell, chocolate apples, lanterns, spiders, ladders, and religious symbol i.e. cross.
Locations needed: Graveyard, outside a church, an office, ASDA, fancy dress shop, Land a Liverpool city street to film the public.
The chosen topic for the documentary is Halloween. We aim to explore the origins of Halloween from the pagan ritual and all hollows eve, then to express how it has been developed into a consumer holiday for dressing up and eat treats. The plan is to express how the supposed American holiday has become a festival in its own right and how it is only really popular within younger generations.
Type of Documentary
Expository as it will mainly be characterised by ‘voice of god’ narration. The voice over will anchor the meaning to the images. Usually expository documentaries are based around a problem which needs solving therefore the basis of this documentary will be the discovery of the development of Halloween. Understanding that documentaries are rarely ever pure of a specific style, there will also be hints of observational. This will be shown through clips of trick or treater’s and also people shopping for Halloween treats, costumes and decorations.
Channel and Scheduling
Through use of intended target audience feedback, the most popular and relevant channel to schedule such a documentary would be channel four. This is because it already shows similar styled documentaries such as ‘Dispatches’ and ‘Witch hunters’. These are both informative and observational. The scheduling was chosen to be 9.30 on Halloween night. This is because it is a one off documentary to entice viewers through the relevance of the occasion. The time 9.30 was chosen as it was past the water shed enabling a wider range of footage and considering the topic is seen as scary. The show scheduled in this time slot usually is ‘Darren Brown’ which receives a very similar target audience to which we aim our documentary. Following the documentary is ‘Peep show’ which receives a young adult target age.
Target Audience
16-28. It is a wide range because we understand that different age groups feel differently about Halloween. This age group of young adults are more likely to be watching T.V at the chosen time and through questionnaires feedback they are the age’s group most interested in the theme of documentary.
Primary Research Needed
Questionnaires for audience feedback. Interviews required; a professor or sociology, a local vicar that knows about pagan rituals, a person who thinks they are a witch, an interview with the manager of a fancy dress shop, an interview with a large chain store manager, an elder person who can talk about how they remember Halloween, and some teenagers and their views on Halloween now.
Secondary Research
Achieve footage from the following things: Hocus Pocus (film), Scream (film), Halloween (film), Casper (film), The Simpsons (TV special), Night of the living dead (film), dawn/Sean of the dead (film), and Psycho (film). There would also be footage of bats, owls and the moon. Other secondary research needed is information from books or the internet about the origins of Halloween for the narration.
Narrative Structure
The narrative structure of the documentary will be linear as it will go through the change of Halloween from the past when it was All Hallows day and a pagan ritual, through to the present and how it has become a consumer holiday.
Outline for Content
The documentary will start with a montage of different symbols of Halloween to introduce the audience to the genre and theme. Then the professor of sociology will explore the origins and about the witches and all hallows day. After which the religious aspect will be incorporated through an interview with the vicar, there will also be the interview with a pagan and someone who believe in spells and witchcraft. Moving on towards how Halloween is currently and there will be interviews with the shop managers and cut aways of different fancy dress costumes and people celebrating Halloween.
Resource Requirements
Equipment needed: Camera, Tri-pod, voice recorder.
Props needed: Mirror, pumpkins, cats, black rose, candles, newspapers and magazines with Halloween related covers, Suit for presenter, church bell, chocolate apples, lanterns, spiders, ladders, and religious symbol i.e. cross.
Locations needed: Graveyard, outside a church, an office, ASDA, fancy dress shop, Land a Liverpool city street to film the public.
Friday, 16 October 2009
Questionnaire and Results
Questionnaire
1. Are your religious?
2. In your opinion what is Halloween about?
3. Do you believe in superstitions?
4. Do you know where Halloween originates?
5. Did/ do you trick or treat as a child?
6. Do you know what paganism is?
7. What channel do you watch the most?
8. Would you prefer a Male of Female voice over narrator?
Are you religious?
Yes-8
No- 22
This graph shows that people aren’t very religious. 73.3% of people asked have said they are not religious. The remaining 26.6% said that they are religious. This will influence the amount of religious aspects in the documentary as we are aware that we are targeting a mainly unreligious age sector.
In your opinion what is Halloween about?
Chance to get dressed up-6
something for children-10
religious festival-5
celebrating evil-6
waste of time-1
dont know-2
These results show that many people believe the celebration is just for children, therefore we aim to show the audience about the other aspects in which they are unaware. An example of this is how it has become Americanised and also the consumer issues.
Do you believe in superstitions?
Yes- 7
No- 10
Only Some- 13
This shows that people are willing to eccept the unexpected therefore we will include content about superstitions as the subject goes hand in hand with Halloween.
Do you know where Halloween originates?
Yes- 5
No- 14
I no some aspects- 11
This gives a target for the documentary. To inform the public on the origins of Halloween. There are many aspects of Halloween that people know about and many believe it to be an american holiday, where in actual fact it is Irish/pagan celebration.
Did/ do you trick or treat as a child?
Yes- 23
No- 7
As most people do/did trick or treat we are going to include clips of children trick or treating. This is so they relate to them and think of other memories that they have of Halloween.
Do you know what paganism is?
Yes- 11
No- 11
Partly- 8
It is quiet broad as to if people know what paganism is, therefore we intend to show the pagan side to Halloween. The side people believe to be more dark and evil. We will introduce to the viewers the pagan rituals that are incorprated into the coonsumerism of Halloween.
What channel do you watch the most?
BBC1- 4
BBC2- 1
ITV1- 3
ITV2- 0
CH4- 16
OTHER- 6
These results show that channel four is the most popular with our intended target audience.
What time do you watch TV the most during the evening?
6-7 pm - 2
7-8 pm - 1
8-9 pm - 8
9-10 pm - 13
10+ - 6
This influences the schedualing to be between 9 and ten on Halloween night.
Would you prefer a Male of Female voice over narrator?
Male - 10
Female - 0
Either - 20
Although the majority of the people asked said they would prefer either gender for the narration, there was also 10 votes for male against 0 votes for female. This therefore suggests our narrator should be male.
This graph shows that the words 'witches' and 'black cats' are more related to Halloween. This will help us when deciding upon the name of the documentary.
This encourages us to use clips from films as achieve footage as many people would like to see these clips in a documentary.
This show us that people find it very important to have expert interviews in a program like this so we will incorporate this into our plans.
Red and black where the colours most associated with Halloween. This will influence our print advert design.
1. Are your religious?
2. In your opinion what is Halloween about?
3. Do you believe in superstitions?
4. Do you know where Halloween originates?
5. Did/ do you trick or treat as a child?
6. Do you know what paganism is?
7. What channel do you watch the most?
8. Would you prefer a Male of Female voice over narrator?
Are you religious?
Yes-8
No- 22
This graph shows that people aren’t very religious. 73.3% of people asked have said they are not religious. The remaining 26.6% said that they are religious. This will influence the amount of religious aspects in the documentary as we are aware that we are targeting a mainly unreligious age sector.
In your opinion what is Halloween about?
Chance to get dressed up-6
something for children-10
religious festival-5
celebrating evil-6
waste of time-1
dont know-2
These results show that many people believe the celebration is just for children, therefore we aim to show the audience about the other aspects in which they are unaware. An example of this is how it has become Americanised and also the consumer issues.
Do you believe in superstitions?
Yes- 7
No- 10
Only Some- 13
This shows that people are willing to eccept the unexpected therefore we will include content about superstitions as the subject goes hand in hand with Halloween.
Do you know where Halloween originates?
Yes- 5
No- 14
I no some aspects- 11
This gives a target for the documentary. To inform the public on the origins of Halloween. There are many aspects of Halloween that people know about and many believe it to be an american holiday, where in actual fact it is Irish/pagan celebration.
Did/ do you trick or treat as a child?
Yes- 23
No- 7
As most people do/did trick or treat we are going to include clips of children trick or treating. This is so they relate to them and think of other memories that they have of Halloween.
Do you know what paganism is?
Yes- 11
No- 11
Partly- 8
It is quiet broad as to if people know what paganism is, therefore we intend to show the pagan side to Halloween. The side people believe to be more dark and evil. We will introduce to the viewers the pagan rituals that are incorprated into the coonsumerism of Halloween.
What channel do you watch the most?
BBC1- 4
BBC2- 1
ITV1- 3
ITV2- 0
CH4- 16
OTHER- 6
These results show that channel four is the most popular with our intended target audience.
What time do you watch TV the most during the evening?
6-7 pm - 2
7-8 pm - 1
8-9 pm - 8
9-10 pm - 13
10+ - 6
This influences the schedualing to be between 9 and ten on Halloween night.
Would you prefer a Male of Female voice over narrator?
Male - 10
Female - 0
Either - 20
Although the majority of the people asked said they would prefer either gender for the narration, there was also 10 votes for male against 0 votes for female. This therefore suggests our narrator should be male.
This graph shows that the words 'witches' and 'black cats' are more related to Halloween. This will help us when deciding upon the name of the documentary.
This encourages us to use clips from films as achieve footage as many people would like to see these clips in a documentary.
This show us that people find it very important to have expert interviews in a program like this so we will incorporate this into our plans.
Red and black where the colours most associated with Halloween. This will influence our print advert design.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Possibilities for Content
Interviews:
• Professor of Sociology
• Vicar
• Public buying Halloween things
• Smiffys/Mr Bens manager- about sales
• A Pagan/catholic
• Someone against trick or treating
• Child with parent
• Another shop manager
• Someone who thinks there a witch
• Teenagers
• Elder person
Archive Material:
• Hocus Pocus
• Clip from radio opening on Halloween
• Casper
• Scream
• Build up to scary on: Halloween, The shinning, The Simpsons Halloween, Psycho, Night of the living dead
• Sean/dawn of the dead
• Bats
• Owls
• Scoby doo
Cut aways:
• People dressed up
• People trick or treating
• Carving pumkins
• Costumes
• Decorations in shops
• Magazines with Halloween decoration
• Symbols of cross (religious)
• People at Party
• Lanterns
• Black cats/spiders
• Broken mirror
• Ladders
• Black dog
• Pets dressed up
• Nuts
• Candles
• Moon
• Church bell
• Graveyard
• Owls
• Churches
• Chocolate apples
• People decorating
• Swing in wind
• People playing games
Music:
• Halloween theme
• Thriller
• Organ music
• Exsosist
• Lantern swinging
• Chimes
• Choirs
• Monster mash
• Ghost busters
• What’s that coming over the hill
Reconstructions:
• Dancing rituals
• Romans
Style of voice over:
• Serious
• male
• Professor of Sociology
• Vicar
• Public buying Halloween things
• Smiffys/Mr Bens manager- about sales
• A Pagan/catholic
• Someone against trick or treating
• Child with parent
• Another shop manager
• Someone who thinks there a witch
• Teenagers
• Elder person
Archive Material:
• Hocus Pocus
• Clip from radio opening on Halloween
• Casper
• Scream
• Build up to scary on: Halloween, The shinning, The Simpsons Halloween, Psycho, Night of the living dead
• Sean/dawn of the dead
• Bats
• Owls
• Scoby doo
Cut aways:
• People dressed up
• People trick or treating
• Carving pumkins
• Costumes
• Decorations in shops
• Magazines with Halloween decoration
• Symbols of cross (religious)
• People at Party
• Lanterns
• Black cats/spiders
• Broken mirror
• Ladders
• Black dog
• Pets dressed up
• Nuts
• Candles
• Moon
• Church bell
• Graveyard
• Owls
• Churches
• Chocolate apples
• People decorating
• Swing in wind
• People playing games
Music:
• Halloween theme
• Thriller
• Organ music
• Exsosist
• Lantern swinging
• Chimes
• Choirs
• Monster mash
• Ghost busters
• What’s that coming over the hill
Reconstructions:
• Dancing rituals
• Romans
Style of voice over:
• Serious
• male
Documentary Analysis
1.The Music Biz
Type of documentary-
• Expository
• Voice over is total anchoring
• Interactive
• Informative about music
Themes-
• Music Industry
• Meatloaf as a specific example
Narrative Structure-
• Clear start about the music biz as a product
• Develops to be specifically about Meatloaf
• End happily with him doing well
• Moves on to village people
Camerawork-
• Low angle establishing shot
• Building pan down
• Expository shot
• Pan across press room
• Point of view shots of equipment
• Hand held to make you feel there (press pass)
• Talking head is not looking at camera
• Establishing shot of virgin head quarters building
• Pan around table
• Mid to big close up (connection)
Mise-en-scene
• Busy looking at make it seam like your there
• First 5min or so is at an awards ceremony
• Rock n roll life style
• Studio- music
• Album covers
Sound
• None diegetic sound of people in time
• Voice of god male- links with target audience
• Diegetic buzz from crowd and others in background
• Meatloaf songs in background
• Heartbeat
• Interviews
Edit
• Cross fades
• Cut aways of meatloaf
• Dissolved images behind interview
• Cut away to videos
• Filmed sheet of graphics
Archive material
• Premiers
• Press conference
• Grammy/brits
• Photographs
• From other programmes
• TV programme about meatloaf
• Past meatloaf videos
• Album covers
• Making of video doc
• Top of the pops like clips
Graphics
• Magazines with videos clip in
• The title
• Brit awards logo
• Names at bottom
• Virgin records in back
• Picture of spinning disk
2.Daredevils- The Iceman
Channel 4 9-10pm
Type of Documentary
• Expository
Themes
• Temperature
• Mental strength
Narrative structure
• Linear of his process throughout the training and how he prepares mentally
Camerawork
• From under ice- follows him under water
• Tracking- deer
• Tracking through snow- him running
• Talking heads
• Tracking him through the town
• Night cam of him in street and in canal
• Close up of breath to how cold air
• Close up on eye- determination
• Establishing shot of polish house were they are going to stay
Mise-En-Scene
• Frost
• Male voice of god
• Tall trees
• Interview with expert – he’s wearing many layers
• Ice
• Amsterdam
• Dark in town and inside canal
• Tor talking heads its wither his house (with awards in background) or laboratory for scientist
• Clips of meat in a freezer
Sound
• Quick paced music like fast heart beat
• Heart beat gets faster
• Eerie music
• Music is diegetic and continuous
• Wind SFX
Editing
• In time to music
• Cut aways of molecules of sand, mountains
• Flashes with music- negative
• Night cam used
• Face focused through flame
Archive Material
• Other stunts he’s done (ice endurance)
• Mountains
• Clips of him on the top of a mountain
• People ice skating
• Fire
• Tram
• The moon- sunrise across the mountains
Graphics
• Daredevil headline
• Names and job titles of interviewees
• Subtitles other language
• All fonts misty like ice
3.The Family- The Pierced Ear
Thursdays 9-10pm
Type of documentary
• Observational
• Docusoap
Themes
• Family
• Relationships
• Sibling rivalry
• Homework
• Piercings
Narrative structure
• Linear- Starts with the morning meals ends in evening
Camerawork
• Close ups on different family members when their names are said
• Over the shoulder shots
• Point of view shots
• Establishing shot of house
• Dad at end of the table
• Down angled of teenager coming out of room (child like)
• Establishing shot of house at night
• High angled shot of people coming into house
• Clips from outside looking in with light on in room
Mise-En-Scene
• Family home
• Tidy but not overly tidy- still looks lived in
• Kids dressed like normal teenagers- can relate to
• Mum usually dressed in pj’s – lazy
• All well dressed the rest of the time- money?
• Dad is very alpha male, business like
• Son in bright blue pj’s, skateboard
• Ornaments about the house, wine glasses, family game on wall
• Son wraps around parents at fourteen- mothered over the top clingy
• Dad shown to be the more active parent- more clips of him
Sound
• Voice of god
• Diegetic during opening and between scenes otherwise none
• Over the top music (classical) emphasis
• Music on phone played by son and dad show characteristics
Editing
• Linear
• Cut aways to things the children do as they are spoken about- skateboard shopping doing makeup
• Cross fades between family members
• Cut aways of them all interacting and getting on well like an ordinary family for people to relate to.
Archive Material
• None, nor or there reconstructions. This is due to the style of the documentary
Graphics
• Title
• Subtitles when whispering
• There are little graphics used due to the style of the documentary.
4. Marketing Movies
Type of documentary-
• Educational
Themes-
• Marketing for films
Narrative Structure-
• Linear
Camerawork-
• Cross fades between products and films
• Talking heads
• Close up on posters
• Looking up at people in the target audience
• Pan slowly of film poster
• Pan across of posters
• Close up on age
• Close up of people on computers
• Close up of DVDs adverts and reviews
• Interview with woman not looking at the camera which is authentic
Mise-en-scene
• Film posters blared in background
• Normal people outside looking at pictures
• People interviewed are dressed formally
Sound
• Voice over of interview
• None diegetic sound while clips of mouse hunt premire (engaging)
• ‘Voice of god’
Editing
• Cut aways of adverts
• Animated cut between
• Cut aways to what is being spoken about
• Change focus to poster from man
• Newspaper close ups
• Dissolve to next image
Archive Material
• Article from newspaper
• Film poster montage
• Footage from film
• Trailer
• Clips of film on computers
• Teaser trailer
• At premiers
Graphics
• The three strands
• Advertising animation
• Names and job titles of the interviewees
5. The Devil Made Me Do It
Themes-
• Murder
• Religion
• Brain washing
• Children and parent communication
• Establishment vs. alternative culture
• Power of media
• Satanism
• Influence
• Music/popular culture
Narrative Structure-
• Puppet master
• None linear
• Linear when we meet Marilyn Manson
• Reconstruction
• Binary oppositions
Camerawork-
• Long takes that follow- indicates in direct address
• Long shots of places and mountains
• Close up on cars/people rushing
• Photos, religious iconography
• Reaction shots
• Lots of hand held used
• Lots of point of view shots
• Talking heads
• Head and shoulder shots
• Follow shot of brother
• Close up on clasped hands
• External view of him with fan
• Cut away to establish location
• Framing in concert hands
• Bleary authenticity of tracking
Mise-en-scene
• All the people in the street for coffin
• Use of shadow and light
• Office in background of police- official
• Dark- night shots
• Teenagers smoking, chatting and lounged
• Rain
• Shows woman’s disgust
• Interview with Marilyn Manson is shadowy
• Light at the end of the tunnel
Sound
• Translated voice over
• Soft music
• ‘Voice of god’
• Hear Italian language too
• Cynical music
• Drum beats to girls names
• Whispering
• Heartbeat that gets louder
• Dog bark
• Fades in teachers voice
• Siren
• Church-like music when talking about confessions
Editing
• Cut to graffiti which lasts a while
• Shots for houses with girls talking about religion
• Shots in time with names and bear
• Cuts along with beat
• Cut aways used
• Close ups of newspaper
Archive Material
• Footage of funeral
• Press conference
• Clips from Marilyn Manson in concert
• Music videos of Marilyn Manson
Graphics
• Names of people and places
• Image on computer of person
• Gothic font
• Close of newspapers
• Lyrics
Type of documentary-
• Expository
• Voice over is total anchoring
• Interactive
• Informative about music
Themes-
• Music Industry
• Meatloaf as a specific example
Narrative Structure-
• Clear start about the music biz as a product
• Develops to be specifically about Meatloaf
• End happily with him doing well
• Moves on to village people
Camerawork-
• Low angle establishing shot
• Building pan down
• Expository shot
• Pan across press room
• Point of view shots of equipment
• Hand held to make you feel there (press pass)
• Talking head is not looking at camera
• Establishing shot of virgin head quarters building
• Pan around table
• Mid to big close up (connection)
Mise-en-scene
• Busy looking at make it seam like your there
• First 5min or so is at an awards ceremony
• Rock n roll life style
• Studio- music
• Album covers
Sound
• None diegetic sound of people in time
• Voice of god male- links with target audience
• Diegetic buzz from crowd and others in background
• Meatloaf songs in background
• Heartbeat
• Interviews
Edit
• Cross fades
• Cut aways of meatloaf
• Dissolved images behind interview
• Cut away to videos
• Filmed sheet of graphics
Archive material
• Premiers
• Press conference
• Grammy/brits
• Photographs
• From other programmes
• TV programme about meatloaf
• Past meatloaf videos
• Album covers
• Making of video doc
• Top of the pops like clips
Graphics
• Magazines with videos clip in
• The title
• Brit awards logo
• Names at bottom
• Virgin records in back
• Picture of spinning disk
2.Daredevils- The Iceman
Channel 4 9-10pm
Type of Documentary
• Expository
Themes
• Temperature
• Mental strength
Narrative structure
• Linear of his process throughout the training and how he prepares mentally
Camerawork
• From under ice- follows him under water
• Tracking- deer
• Tracking through snow- him running
• Talking heads
• Tracking him through the town
• Night cam of him in street and in canal
• Close up of breath to how cold air
• Close up on eye- determination
• Establishing shot of polish house were they are going to stay
Mise-En-Scene
• Frost
• Male voice of god
• Tall trees
• Interview with expert – he’s wearing many layers
• Ice
• Amsterdam
• Dark in town and inside canal
• Tor talking heads its wither his house (with awards in background) or laboratory for scientist
• Clips of meat in a freezer
Sound
• Quick paced music like fast heart beat
• Heart beat gets faster
• Eerie music
• Music is diegetic and continuous
• Wind SFX
Editing
• In time to music
• Cut aways of molecules of sand, mountains
• Flashes with music- negative
• Night cam used
• Face focused through flame
Archive Material
• Other stunts he’s done (ice endurance)
• Mountains
• Clips of him on the top of a mountain
• People ice skating
• Fire
• Tram
• The moon- sunrise across the mountains
Graphics
• Daredevil headline
• Names and job titles of interviewees
• Subtitles other language
• All fonts misty like ice
3.The Family- The Pierced Ear
Thursdays 9-10pm
Type of documentary
• Observational
• Docusoap
Themes
• Family
• Relationships
• Sibling rivalry
• Homework
• Piercings
Narrative structure
• Linear- Starts with the morning meals ends in evening
Camerawork
• Close ups on different family members when their names are said
• Over the shoulder shots
• Point of view shots
• Establishing shot of house
• Dad at end of the table
• Down angled of teenager coming out of room (child like)
• Establishing shot of house at night
• High angled shot of people coming into house
• Clips from outside looking in with light on in room
Mise-En-Scene
• Family home
• Tidy but not overly tidy- still looks lived in
• Kids dressed like normal teenagers- can relate to
• Mum usually dressed in pj’s – lazy
• All well dressed the rest of the time- money?
• Dad is very alpha male, business like
• Son in bright blue pj’s, skateboard
• Ornaments about the house, wine glasses, family game on wall
• Son wraps around parents at fourteen- mothered over the top clingy
• Dad shown to be the more active parent- more clips of him
Sound
• Voice of god
• Diegetic during opening and between scenes otherwise none
• Over the top music (classical) emphasis
• Music on phone played by son and dad show characteristics
Editing
• Linear
• Cut aways to things the children do as they are spoken about- skateboard shopping doing makeup
• Cross fades between family members
• Cut aways of them all interacting and getting on well like an ordinary family for people to relate to.
Archive Material
• None, nor or there reconstructions. This is due to the style of the documentary
Graphics
• Title
• Subtitles when whispering
• There are little graphics used due to the style of the documentary.
4. Marketing Movies
Type of documentary-
• Educational
Themes-
• Marketing for films
Narrative Structure-
• Linear
Camerawork-
• Cross fades between products and films
• Talking heads
• Close up on posters
• Looking up at people in the target audience
• Pan slowly of film poster
• Pan across of posters
• Close up on age
• Close up of people on computers
• Close up of DVDs adverts and reviews
• Interview with woman not looking at the camera which is authentic
Mise-en-scene
• Film posters blared in background
• Normal people outside looking at pictures
• People interviewed are dressed formally
Sound
• Voice over of interview
• None diegetic sound while clips of mouse hunt premire (engaging)
• ‘Voice of god’
Editing
• Cut aways of adverts
• Animated cut between
• Cut aways to what is being spoken about
• Change focus to poster from man
• Newspaper close ups
• Dissolve to next image
Archive Material
• Article from newspaper
• Film poster montage
• Footage from film
• Trailer
• Clips of film on computers
• Teaser trailer
• At premiers
Graphics
• The three strands
• Advertising animation
• Names and job titles of the interviewees
5. The Devil Made Me Do It
Themes-
• Murder
• Religion
• Brain washing
• Children and parent communication
• Establishment vs. alternative culture
• Power of media
• Satanism
• Influence
• Music/popular culture
Narrative Structure-
• Puppet master
• None linear
• Linear when we meet Marilyn Manson
• Reconstruction
• Binary oppositions
Camerawork-
• Long takes that follow- indicates in direct address
• Long shots of places and mountains
• Close up on cars/people rushing
• Photos, religious iconography
• Reaction shots
• Lots of hand held used
• Lots of point of view shots
• Talking heads
• Head and shoulder shots
• Follow shot of brother
• Close up on clasped hands
• External view of him with fan
• Cut away to establish location
• Framing in concert hands
• Bleary authenticity of tracking
Mise-en-scene
• All the people in the street for coffin
• Use of shadow and light
• Office in background of police- official
• Dark- night shots
• Teenagers smoking, chatting and lounged
• Rain
• Shows woman’s disgust
• Interview with Marilyn Manson is shadowy
• Light at the end of the tunnel
Sound
• Translated voice over
• Soft music
• ‘Voice of god’
• Hear Italian language too
• Cynical music
• Drum beats to girls names
• Whispering
• Heartbeat that gets louder
• Dog bark
• Fades in teachers voice
• Siren
• Church-like music when talking about confessions
Editing
• Cut to graffiti which lasts a while
• Shots for houses with girls talking about religion
• Shots in time with names and bear
• Cuts along with beat
• Cut aways used
• Close ups of newspaper
Archive Material
• Footage of funeral
• Press conference
• Clips from Marilyn Manson in concert
• Music videos of Marilyn Manson
Graphics
• Names of people and places
• Image on computer of person
• Gothic font
• Close of newspapers
• Lyrics
Documentary Genres/styles
Expository
This is characterised by ‘voice of god’ narration which addresses the viewer directly. This anchors the meaning of the images being shown and states the text’s preferred meaning. Images are used to illustrate the narration and make the voice over seem more objective and honest. They are usually centred on a problem that needs solving.
Observational (fly-on-the-wall)
They began with the techniques first used in American ‘direct cinema’ in the 1960’s. This was where lightweight camera equipment allowed crews to film right in the action, creating dramatic excitement. This style avoided voice-over and the camera is as unobtrusive as possible. Techniques that are used include: indirect address to the audience, diegetic sound, relatively long takes, demonstrating nothing has been edited out. These documentaries tend to focus on specific individuals. Events often unfold in front of the camera and the film makers have no knowledge of the outcome. The observational style has led to a greater interest in the personal and the intimate; people based documentaries. It is impossible with this style to create a genuine ‘window on the world’ because the very presence of the camera in a situation immediately affects the people being observed. The focus on personal issues means that they are superficial and apolitical. There is also a chance that the editor has cut things to make a situation more bias. This style is dominating in television documentaries.
Docusoaps
This style is a development on the observation genre and they are a hugely popular hybrid; this is a long running series (like big brother) that like a fictional soap opera follows a group of characters chosen for their quirkiness and entertainment. Docusoaps have been based in institution- Driving school, airport, a life of grime- in geographical locations- Paddington green- or around specific events e.g. the cruise. Docusoaps were the television find of the 1990’ and for the first time factual programmes rivalled drama.
Docusoaps were made possible by lightweight camera equipment which means that the intrusion is minimal and the film-maker becomes part of the story. However, they inevitably have a higher than average shooting ratio and therefore would have been far too expensive to make on 16mm film; digital camera and editing suites made filming and cutting material much cheaper. In fact, Docusoaps are three times as cheaper to produce as comparable light entertainment (Paul Haman, head of BBC Documentary Features, 1998)
They are episodic, soap-like structure, with several interweaving plot lines, each involving different characters, which tend to be given about three minutes of air time before moving on to the next. There is a relationship between characters, filmmaker and audience that was new in the history of documentary. If characters play up to the camera, we know it is part of the style. The ‘shallowness; of the genre has prompted criticism. They interested in the ordinary but reach such a level of success that they create and promote ‘stars’. The genre tells us nothing about society, only about individuals who know they’re one television.
Characters that have become nationally known personalities are people like Jane McDonald, a singer from the cruise, and Jeremy from the Airport.
Reality TV
Factual television is now characterised by a high degree of hybridisation between different programme types. This is something referred to as ‘infotatinment’, a combination of entertainment and the provision of useful information. Across British TV schedules, factual programming increased between 1989 and 1999, often in prime-time and pre-and post-watershed slots, mainly at the expense of sitcoms, game shows and quizzes. Reality TV is a mix of ‘raw’, ‘authentic’ material with the seriousness of an information programme and the commercial success of tabloid content. It is characterised by: camcorder, surveillance or observational camera work; first person or eye-witness testimony; studio or to-camera links and commentary from presenters.
Interactive (not as common)
This style of documentary acknowledges the presence of the camera and crew. Equipment is easily portable which means that post-dubbing was no longer required and allowed the film-maker to speak directly to the subjects, generally in the from of an interview. This interaction means that the focus is on the exchange of information. The audience is constantly reminded of the existence of multiple viewpoint, in contrast to the ‘voice of god’ offered in other styles.
Audiences may read interactive documentaries as being more honest because there is no attempt to disguise the camera and crew, which in itself is a manipulation of the audience.
Drama-documentary
This uses reconstructions and re-enactments which are as old as documentary itself. This method was partly due to the technology available at the time- there was no way of filming natural dialogue as it occurred on location until technological innovations in the 1960’s. Although the observational style has come to be seen as more natural and somehow closer to ‘reality’, reconstruction gained new recognition in the 1990’s, partly through its use by television journalists who set out to investigate issues through drama, making points that could not be made within the conventions of current affairs programming.
The following distinction may prove useful in discussing the genre:
‘Docudrama’- a fictional story that uses the techniques of documentary to reinforce its claim for realism.
‘Dramadoc’- a documentary reconstruction of actual events using techniques taken from fiction cinema.
Current Affairs
These are journalist-led programmes whose aim is to address the news and the political agenda in greater depth than news bulletins allow. The emphasis is on the investigatory and the political, seeking out atrocity and political scandal. Programmes are organised around a journalistic report, which may be arguing a case or proving a wrong.
Documentary Dilemma
Documentary footage is rarely broadcast unedited and once they have given permission to film, documentary subjects are in the film-maker’s hands. One problem, therefore, is how the film-maker balances their responsibility to those who appear in the programme with their legal obligations and their desire to make a successful programme and their responsibility towards the audience (entertain or inform?).
This is characterised by ‘voice of god’ narration which addresses the viewer directly. This anchors the meaning of the images being shown and states the text’s preferred meaning. Images are used to illustrate the narration and make the voice over seem more objective and honest. They are usually centred on a problem that needs solving.
Observational (fly-on-the-wall)
They began with the techniques first used in American ‘direct cinema’ in the 1960’s. This was where lightweight camera equipment allowed crews to film right in the action, creating dramatic excitement. This style avoided voice-over and the camera is as unobtrusive as possible. Techniques that are used include: indirect address to the audience, diegetic sound, relatively long takes, demonstrating nothing has been edited out. These documentaries tend to focus on specific individuals. Events often unfold in front of the camera and the film makers have no knowledge of the outcome. The observational style has led to a greater interest in the personal and the intimate; people based documentaries. It is impossible with this style to create a genuine ‘window on the world’ because the very presence of the camera in a situation immediately affects the people being observed. The focus on personal issues means that they are superficial and apolitical. There is also a chance that the editor has cut things to make a situation more bias. This style is dominating in television documentaries.
Docusoaps
This style is a development on the observation genre and they are a hugely popular hybrid; this is a long running series (like big brother) that like a fictional soap opera follows a group of characters chosen for their quirkiness and entertainment. Docusoaps have been based in institution- Driving school, airport, a life of grime- in geographical locations- Paddington green- or around specific events e.g. the cruise. Docusoaps were the television find of the 1990’ and for the first time factual programmes rivalled drama.
Docusoaps were made possible by lightweight camera equipment which means that the intrusion is minimal and the film-maker becomes part of the story. However, they inevitably have a higher than average shooting ratio and therefore would have been far too expensive to make on 16mm film; digital camera and editing suites made filming and cutting material much cheaper. In fact, Docusoaps are three times as cheaper to produce as comparable light entertainment (Paul Haman, head of BBC Documentary Features, 1998)
They are episodic, soap-like structure, with several interweaving plot lines, each involving different characters, which tend to be given about three minutes of air time before moving on to the next. There is a relationship between characters, filmmaker and audience that was new in the history of documentary. If characters play up to the camera, we know it is part of the style. The ‘shallowness; of the genre has prompted criticism. They interested in the ordinary but reach such a level of success that they create and promote ‘stars’. The genre tells us nothing about society, only about individuals who know they’re one television.
Characters that have become nationally known personalities are people like Jane McDonald, a singer from the cruise, and Jeremy from the Airport.
Reality TV
Factual television is now characterised by a high degree of hybridisation between different programme types. This is something referred to as ‘infotatinment’, a combination of entertainment and the provision of useful information. Across British TV schedules, factual programming increased between 1989 and 1999, often in prime-time and pre-and post-watershed slots, mainly at the expense of sitcoms, game shows and quizzes. Reality TV is a mix of ‘raw’, ‘authentic’ material with the seriousness of an information programme and the commercial success of tabloid content. It is characterised by: camcorder, surveillance or observational camera work; first person or eye-witness testimony; studio or to-camera links and commentary from presenters.
Interactive (not as common)
This style of documentary acknowledges the presence of the camera and crew. Equipment is easily portable which means that post-dubbing was no longer required and allowed the film-maker to speak directly to the subjects, generally in the from of an interview. This interaction means that the focus is on the exchange of information. The audience is constantly reminded of the existence of multiple viewpoint, in contrast to the ‘voice of god’ offered in other styles.
Audiences may read interactive documentaries as being more honest because there is no attempt to disguise the camera and crew, which in itself is a manipulation of the audience.
Drama-documentary
This uses reconstructions and re-enactments which are as old as documentary itself. This method was partly due to the technology available at the time- there was no way of filming natural dialogue as it occurred on location until technological innovations in the 1960’s. Although the observational style has come to be seen as more natural and somehow closer to ‘reality’, reconstruction gained new recognition in the 1990’s, partly through its use by television journalists who set out to investigate issues through drama, making points that could not be made within the conventions of current affairs programming.
The following distinction may prove useful in discussing the genre:
‘Docudrama’- a fictional story that uses the techniques of documentary to reinforce its claim for realism.
‘Dramadoc’- a documentary reconstruction of actual events using techniques taken from fiction cinema.
Current Affairs
These are journalist-led programmes whose aim is to address the news and the political agenda in greater depth than news bulletins allow. The emphasis is on the investigatory and the political, seeking out atrocity and political scandal. Programmes are organised around a journalistic report, which may be arguing a case or proving a wrong.
Documentary Dilemma
Documentary footage is rarely broadcast unedited and once they have given permission to film, documentary subjects are in the film-maker’s hands. One problem, therefore, is how the film-maker balances their responsibility to those who appear in the programme with their legal obligations and their desire to make a successful programme and their responsibility towards the audience (entertain or inform?).
Friday, 2 October 2009
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