Further Research on specfic topics
Week 1: Introduction to module. This week we began to research the different styles of documentary and look into how documentaries can often prove a point. For example, films about political or controversial issues sparked our interest as we felt they could be quite powerful if done correctly. We looked into Patricio Guzman: the battle of chile to get an idea of documentary in all it’s forms. http://www.nfb.ca/film/capturing_reality_patricio_guzman/
Week 2: After having a lecture on photojournalism and documentary we started to explore the different modes of documentary. We research the five modes of documentary as published by Bill Nichols:
Expository mode: Known mostly as “the voice of God” mode. This is what most people are likely to associate with documentary. Explores factual evidence through the use of a narrator who uses verbal commentary to emphasis a argumentative side using logic
Poetic mode: A lyrical form that is subjective and shows artistic expression. This mode strays away from the objective reality and allows the viewer to grasp an “inner truth” through the use of poetical manipulation. Has an emphasis on visual, tonal, or rhythmic qualities.
Observation mode: This mode attempts to capture reality as accurately as possible. The filmmaker stays behind the camera as an onlooker allowing the action to continue as usual. This mode is often referred to as “fly on the wall” documentary.
Participatory mode: Unlike the observational mode, the filmmaker in this mode becomes directly involved with the action. There is engagement between the subject and filmmaker. This mode of documentaries often shows the filmmaker as a character within the documentary.
Reflexive Mode: This mode acknowledges the constructed nature of a documentary-and makes a point about it. The main emphasis on this mode is that it is not inevitably “the truth” but it is “a truth”.
Performative mode: This mode has an emphasis on the emotional and social impact on the audience. The documentarian’s subject nature is well recognised in this mode as objectivity notions are replaced by suggestion and affect.
We also looked into the “3 modes of photography”. They are:
The decisive moment: when images are taken with any though or reason behind it. This shows a snapshot of reality, without the knowledge have the camera being there.
Modern staged manipulator: these are images that are contruscted through the use of actors, staging, sets ect. This form does not aim to capture events as they occue but rather invented events to appear as if they are reality.
Social-voyeur-artist: This form falls in-between the first two. It demonstrates “everyday” events using contexts and generating conversation about those moments. This form does not show reality exactly how it is but it also does not stage the images.
Written by Alyssa Patel
Week 3: As a group we were trained on the 450d cameras. Before doing our individual photo essays we chose to go out as a group and experiment with the camera. We made sure each member was comfortable using the camera and experimented with the different settings before we did our photo essays. We looked into the “hyper and Meta aesthetics of documentary” guide to gain a better knowledge of the technical aspects to photography.
Week 4: this week we continued to expand our knowledge on the camera and other technical elements. We also developed our online site and researched into our original idea of Cancer treatment.
After looking at this article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8790468/Dying-cancer-patients-should-not-be-given-futile-drugs.html, we came up with the idea of making a documentary about the debate of whether futile and expensive cancer treatment should be given to terminal patients. We began to research into hospitals known for their cancer wings and came across the Royal Marsden and began to contact them in regards to filming and interviewing.
Written by Bianca Donohoe
Week 5: We began to get training on RAW processing which we would use to edit our images ofr our individual photo essays. Looked into the various RAW processing guides posted on the learning network to grasp a better understanding for the program.
As we were required to take images before the following week we each went out and did our individual photographs.
Also, we continued researching our caner treatment idea and contacting numerous hospitals only to unfortunately be let down. Soon we understood the risks of filming in a hospital and had to abandon out idea and start brainstorming other ideas.
Written by Adelle Kness
Week 6: Began advanced Final cut pro training. Also started to look into the idea of Greyhound dog racing and how it has been negatively portrayed. As a group we viewed various “promo” videos on YouTube in which animal protection groups depict the harmful industry of dog racing. We also read the following articles to better grasp the conceptions of the racing industry: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/17/greyhound-racing-industry-dogs
Written by Ainsley Brooks
Week 7: Began to contact stadiums and primary sources. We also read the guides on group presentations and individual assessments so we knew exactly what needed to be done during our pitch in week 12.
Read: http://www.signsofidentity.de/fileadmin/abstracts/forceville.html . This article explained the fundamentals towards the idea of “the journey” and the construction of the Journey, Quest, and Story. This gave us a better grasp on an important factor to a particular type of documentary.
Week 8: We finalised our Greyhound racing idea and began to look into further development for our pitch. As a group we read the guide on Interview questions for documentary journalism practice (http://learn.winchester.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=38276) to better prepare for what questions we would ask our primaries to guarantee we would receive an answer most useful for our film. This PDF gave us positive information about things to avoide when asking question such as not asking double barrelled questions or manipulating the subject.
We also researched into Ofcom rules and regulations so we would be aware of what we did and how it would affect us as a production company.
Written by Darren Jones
Week 9: This week we did not do too much research as we began to prepare for our presentation. We phoned stadiums for conformations. We also continued to view http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/biggie_and_tupac, which had began viewing in class that week. This film gave us an insight into the style of documentary that nick Broomfield follows. It also helped us to develop our own techniques and plan our own signatures.
Written by Adelle Knees
Week 10: By this week we wanted to make sure oiur primaries were finalised. To ensure this we registered at various Greyhound forums and posted our idea in a message and hoped people would respond. One ex-racer sent us an e-mail explaining that he would like to be a part of our documentary as he has a lot to say about the racing industry. We looked into his resuce centre and now have our 3rd confirmed primary source. We also looked into different presentation tactics.
Week 11: As our pitch would be next week we spent this week making sure everything on our yola webites were organised and finished and also finalised our pitch.
Written by Charlotte Kerman
