Documentary Evaluation

Documentary Style:

The documentary style which I used to present my 3 Minute Wonder is a mixture of interactive, observational and expository. I used the format of an interactive documentary with the use of talking heads, while presenting the audience with observations of the patient as well as using voice overs to guide the audience to what is happening on screen. For example, while the physio explained what cystic fibrosis was, I used observations and still images so the audience has a better understanding. 

Topic:

I decided to use cystic fibrosis as my topic for this documentary as this illness is considerably common, however is not frequently spoken about. I also have some knowledge on this topic due to having a close friend with this illness. Another reason is in response to my primary research and finding that a majority of the responses would watch a documentary on cystic fibrosis.

Camera:

In terms of camera, I used a hand-held camera in a majority of my documentary. I used a hand-held camera so I was able to capture a shot where the audience is able to follow the content on screen. 

This was used so that the audience are able to interpret an unambiguous understanding, in result to what is being said in the voice over. I also used observations, which was usually achieved through using a hand held camera, creating a much more realistic documentary. If I were to have used interviews/talking heads throughout the whole of my documentary, the audience may have a less accurate understand of the information which is being told. Whereas using observations produce straight forward footage explaining what is being told through a voice over. I also used talking heads throughout much of my 3 Minute Wonder which presents evidence in terms of the use of an interactive documentary. Using talking heads presents a connection with the person on screen and the audience, in result to the direct feeling which it gives.

I also used a match on action shot at 1:30, which may portrayed my documentary as unrealistic. However using a match on action shot allowed me to provide shots which was presented in a diary-like form, showing the patients every day life while using this type of shot to show elements of a professional looking documentary.

Sound:

Throughout my documentary, sound was used in the format of a voice over or talking heads. Sound is used ongoing throughout the whole of my 3 Minute Wonder, with the use of ambient sound which presents realism. When cutting between interviews and observations, I would use ambient sound from the clip which was being used to create flow. I also made sure that each sound clip was roughly around the same level of volume so that each clip would not be so jumpy and sudden. I also used a sound effect to represent the idea of a hospital when presenting the patients details, which prepares the audience for a serious topic. 

Editing:

In several of my shots, it was difficult to avoid jumpy cuts from an observation to a talking head. However to reduce jump cuts I often made the observation longer while using the start of the talking heads shot and then using it as a voice over, which made jump cuts less visible and jarring. I also used warp stabilizer on Adobe Premiere Pro on some of my footage to avoid shaky shots such as here:

Towards the end of my 3 Minute Wonder I used a blur on the final shot to conclude the documentary with "Cystic Fibrosis affects over 8,500 in the UK". The use of a gradual blur creates an emotional effect between this subject and the audience. This effect also leaves the topic of cystic fibrosis on a serious note, which contrasts to the beginning of the documentary with the shot of the patient laughing. I also used lower third graphics when either the patient or mother was on screen. I also used them for the voice of the specialist which I used to explain what cystic fibrosis is, which I created on After Effects. 

Mise-en-Scene:

I used various different locations while filming my documentary, which I found brought a more accurate perception of the patients story. Using the patients hospital room in one of the shots also brought to this realistic way of presenting her life living with this cystic fibrosis in 3 minutes. Due to this product being a 3 Minute Wonder in documentary form, there was no need for certain costumes/lighting which may neglect the idea of a human story. However in terms of props, a machine was presented as a way of explaining a "feeding tube" to the audience, which was available through the patient. There was also shots which involved the patient taking medication, which was also available through the patient, and again added to receiving a better understanding of this illness.

From making 2 products in a group of 3 to creating a solo product was a difficult adjustment without joint decisions and opinions from the rest of the group. However, this project allowed me to use my own genre which I am interested in and allowed me to use the style of documentary which I wanted. For a first solo product, I am extremely happy with my finish product, especially with the trouble I had filming my documentary. I had problems with my documentary as the video recorder which I used was not set as the same ratio which it should have been, it was also poor quality. I then couldn't re-film my documentary on the college's equipment due to the patients availability, therefore I was stuck with the footage I had. However I think that even though I could have improved the quality of my documentary, I was very happy with the outcome and the effect which it had on others. My documentary also informed others on this illness which is not spoken about often, as a majority of the people which completed my survey for primary research did not know what this illness was.