Research portions of the documentary project entailed the viewings of a multitude of documentaries both in class and independently. The viewings of these documentaries definitely aided the understanding that I accumulated of the selective choices of techniques to portray meaning. Through these viewings, I also gained the awareness that the conventions of documentaries are altered to correspond with each production, being tailored to the intentions of what the documentary captures.
Abstract The Art of Design, an episodic documentary were the first documentaries that I viewed. The series Abstract strives to simplify the process of the artists and designers’ creative processes into something understandable for general audiences without any expertise. The focused artist or designer in each episode walks the audience through their full creative process.
In the episode that focuses on Ruth Carter’s costume designs, techniques such as close ups of certain fabrics and materials visually aid the audience to collect an idea of her creative thought process, providing the audience with a threshold into her inner thoughts that lead to the development of these costumes, led by each decision in production by Carter- such as selection of fabrics and materials. Often, there is an integration of wide shots to portray certain work environments that Carter creates her designs in such as her studio and even her sewing machine that she used as a young woman, when she began designing costumes. These wide shots, used as b- roll provide a communication to the audience that cannot be communicated through words alone. The auditory techniques of music develop a tone that aids in the delivery of the full process of creation of her costumes. When the audience is introduced to the beginning of Carter’s process of shaping these costumes, she reads a script and highlights certain aspects that may lead her to character development. During this scene, she addresses her thought process and the collective work of the b-roll showing her reading, the voice over that addresses her process, and the music that develops a thoughtful and exploratory tone, personifying the music as curious, captures the full process and guides viewers thoroughly through it.
In the episode that is focused on Cas Holman and her toy designs, there is a use of animation. When Holman displays her sketches, they are overlaid on the screen, immersing the audience into those creations, showing the full creative process as the drawings are made reality as the process finishes and the products are made. The music used when the children test out the toys is upbeat, creating an accomplished tone as the journey of production led to a success. It aids to mirror the feeling that Holman experienced when her long journey of creation came to an end to the audience.
Conclusively, the effect of the viewings of Abstract The Art of Design guided the production process of my own documentary through the examination of the effects of varying techniques. The most prominent techniques that I was acquainted with were indirect interviews and staged b-roll. The utilization of these techniques displayed how integral information about creative processes are elevated through the use of b-roll, serving both as visual appeal and insight to the topic of presentation. This is reflected in my own production as in the process of collecting b-roll footage, a strong consideration of the content of interviews is done to align with the topic that the interview subjects speak of, heightening visual engagement to the documentary.
American Promise strongly reinforced my knowledge regarding the manipulation of techniques to suit the purpose of an individual documentary. American Promise adopts an observational style, limited of professional footage, taking on an authentic and raw style. Though both direct and indirect interviews are utilized, the interviews remain informal, reflecting the authenticity of the documentaries style.
American Promise portrays the verite look (the authentic style) as it displays the lives of Idris and Seun in a realistic manner to provide a perspective that mirrors observation of their experiences without interference. The techniques that drive this look- the handheld camera, diegetic sound, and minimal appearance of non- diegetic sound- work to present the lives of the two in a way that naturally represents their actual experiences.
This verite style is exemplified through the scene where Idris’ parents discuss their concerns with his grades. The camerawork is non-invasive, only observing from a distance. This scene in particular is more intimate as it is uninterrupted- exempt from interviews that disrupt the discussion. The conversation is of importance as it serves as a progress point in Idris’ life and experience at Dalton, indicating its purpose to be included among the scenes chosen, but naturalism is maintained in the familial conversation due to the natural dynamics of the camerawork. The use of the handheld camera technique strengthens the unfiltered style of the conversation as it is not of studio quality and creates an unfiltered version of Idris’ experience at Dalton. The lighting is unchanged- it appears dull and raw as it originates from the home, driving the naturalistic setting being displayed. As a whole, the scene is highly unedited- it is a continuous shot that forces the audience to focus upon the emotional tension that occurs as Idris experiences a difficult time within his academic career. Idris’ parents' interaction with Idris’ struggle is also evident through their unfiltered facial expressions and tone of voice that is not interrupted by non diegetic sound. The scene displays the real exchange that occurs between child and parent, allowing for the unfiltered truth to be presented without the intervention of editing techniques.
The viewing of American Promise guided the production decision within my own documentary to integrate a naturalistic, verite style, that observes the activities that take place within the class and club without invading. The observational b-roll that is integrated into my production elevates the effectiveness of capturing a 'slice of life' in a true, authentic way.
The implementation of direct interviews display Theirry, Banksy, and Shepherd Fairey discussing elements of street art. These interviews are integral to providing insight to the art, but they also drive the representation of people within the piece. Most prominently, Theirry, who is defined as an eccentric and passionate character through these direct interviews being recorded on his own camera at times. Banksy, on the other hand, is portrayed mysteriously and mundanely as his identity is hidden by a mask and voice effects, within his direct interviews. This gives Banksy the control over the piece as he is more composed and assertive.
The presence of indirect interviews- more prominently through the voice over technique- are the main source of interviews in the documentary. Banksy’s narration over footage of Theirry’s development of his art show guides the viewers through Banksy’s interpretation. His interpretation exists indirectly, but is present through his detached tone and lack of enthusiasm, developing his view of Theirry’s commercialized art lacking purpose through his position as a prominent street artist who is passionate.
The indirect interview of Shepherd Fairey discussing his uncomfortable reaction to ‘Mr. Brainwash’ asking him to validate his work by promoting his show displays his disapproval of the commercialization that he has made of street art. This indirect interview, paired with uncertain music and a switch to a voice over paired with visuals of Theirry’s disorganized attempt to create his art show, displays a contrast between the two showing the shallowness and commercialized version of art that Theirry rushes to make in comparison to an authentic street artist.
The demonstration of the two interview styles implemented into Exit Through the Gift Shop guided my purpose to prominently utilize indirect interviews as the b-roll that accompanies these indirect interviews allows for a greater audience connection, inflicting a feeling that is far more personal, almost as if the interview subject speaks to the audience. This is something that maintained that sense of connection to the audience within my own production as well as Exit Through the Gift Shop. My team's motivation to choose a primary interview subject that has a sense of passion toward the topic was also guided through Exit Through the Gift Shop as the influence of Banksy, having a level of passion and expertise towards art, elevates his role to critique aspects of the documentary. Our central interview subject, Ms. Rodriguez, holds a strong passion toward Latinos in Action being the head teacher of the class. This decision ultimately strengthened the piece through her presence in voice overs, speaking authoritatively and passionately towards the topic, just as Banksy did.
The additional viewings of Op-Docs placed emphasis on the broader effect of a personal story that can direct attention to larger messages.
An Op-Doc that I viewed that impacted me personally was the documentary titled, Christmas, Every Day.
The visual aspects of the Op-Doc, Christmas, Every Day primarily utilize still shots creating an observational and distanced perception of the events documented. The technique’s staticity contrasts to the active nature of an influencer’s job. As a result, the events being documented of the girls as they film and log off are portrayed in a more raw and real sense as the camera techniques do not interact with the energy that is required of an influencer. This allows for an accurate portrayal of the girls’ lives off the camera, especially through the use of wide shots displaying the rural aspects of the Alabama home, empty and lacking people, further making a distinction between the portrayal of someone's life on social media and the reality.
Auditory techniques of the Op-Doc prominently involve diegetic sound to effectively deliver the true documentation of the life of these two girls as influencers- every sound is captured from the narrative world- such as the chirping of birds and keyboard clicking. A strong focus is drawn to the process of an influencer in its unfiltered form due to the lack of music that can potentially cause a subjective evocation of emotion. It exposes the real events that occur in a deep and unaltered way, truly presenting each aspect of these girls’ experiences being influencers.
The viewing of this documentary impacted the implementation of diegetic sound during the introduction to my own production, displaying the naturalistic aspects of the club, reinforcing the genuine nature of human connection that is drawn attention to.
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