The documentary I will be making will be about Euthanasia. It will be roughly 6 minutes long and will include both facts and opinions.
Aims
The aims of my documentary will be to give a knowledge of what Euthanasia is, why people do it and the current UK laws about it. I will give my full knowledge of the information I have and will aim to change peoples views on the matter. However, whilst doing this, I will not put anyone starring in my video through any type of distress or uncomfort during the pre, post and production of my video.
Content
The content of my documentary will involve factual information form reliable sources, a lot of opinions, based on both sides of the argument, images and quotes from the information I am giving and interviews from a different range of people; Some people from Dignity in dying (an organisation which fights for the right to die), a person a who is terminally ill and has considered euthanasia, hopefully an MP to talk about the current laws and some vox pops from people from different sides of the debate. There will also be a warning at the start of my documentary telling people that this is an emotional subject that some people may find distressing.
Target Audience
The targeted audience for my documentary is British males and females aged 16 to 24 years of age, of no particular ethnicity. As the subject of my documentary is quite niche as an interest I will aim to make my documentary educational, giving people the chance to learn more about euthanasia. I will try to make it as 'neutral' as possible, not offending anyone as it is a cautious subject, however, there will be warnings and notices so my target audience know exactly what they are watching. I will be adding case studies to appeal more to my audience
Format
The format of my documentary will be participatory. I will have a presenter in my documentary the whole way through, however I wanted to bring in forms of reflexive modes into it, by explaining to the audience where I am going, who I am going to talk to, what I am going to do next, but more toned down. I will make sure I (as the presenter) am involved fully and show a large interest keeping the audience involved.
Genre
The genre will be a documentary. As there are lots of different types of factual television, I will make sure that mine is structured like a documentary. This means it will not be involving competition or games. It will be straight forward telling of facts, with interviews, images and opinions.
Style
There will be different styles of my documentary. For example, I will be filming in different locations, not too many but enough to keep it interesting. I will be putting in vox pops and interviews at different times to keep the opinions going. I will have screen shots and graphics as ways to give my facts across, so it isnt just me on a screen talking. Along with some of the images will be voice overs, however I did not want to involve a lo of voice overs in my piece. There will be some music to fit the tone of my piece, but not to much as it will look like a dramatic piece of work and I would like to keep it serious.
There will be a range of different shot types, for example;
Establishing Shots - Preferably an image of the Dignitas centre in Switzerland, so people can get a feel of the type of place it is.
Long shots - I would use these for example when I am explaining something, I wouldn't use these for long, but just to make it not so 'in-your-face-' and create a calm atmosphere.
Mid shots - I would be using these most in my work, mainly because it shows facial expressions which is important during my interviews as well as the above point of it staying 'neutral' and calm.
I will not be using shots such as;
Close Ups - I feel for this type of subject, close ups during interviews would be too overwhelming. As well as it is a serious and emotional subject, I would not want the audience to feel uncomfortable being 'too close' to the interviewees.
High or Low shots - I will not be using these at I feel it would make my documentary look too comical. As I am attemtping to keep it serious I will only be using strauight angled shots.
I will be using graphics in my work as another way to get the information and facts across to the audience. There will not be too many but just enough to keep the audience involved in hat is happening. There will be introduction graophics to warn the viewers of the emotional nature of my documentary. There will also be graphics to introduce the person I am interviewing.
This programme shows at 9pm on Channel 4 on a Thursday.
There are no current viewing figures on the BARB website for this week, however i found rating from March 2012; there were 2.44 million people who tuned in to watch Embarrassing Bodies that week. I feel that the viewing figures for his show were quite respectable for the channel as well as the day it aired on.
This show is similar to mine as it focuses around peoples lives. However, not the same type of issue but making the lives of people better. I would attempt to make my documentary better than this in terms of vewing figures by aiming it at all of my targeted audience. I would make it interesting although keeping it on a serious level.
This documentary was on BBC2 in June 2011. It aired at 9pm on a Tuesday. 1.64 million people tuned in to watch this documentary and 6.7% of all people watching television at this time watched this documentary. I feel thaqt the viewing figures are this low because the documentary only viewed good,
This documentary is similar to mine as it talks about euthanasia and reveals a specific story. Although i wil lnot being do this, i will still be mentioning Dignitas and my whole documentary is based on euthanasia.
I would structure my documentary similar to how this one was made. I would attempt to create a certain feel to it, for example, not making it to emotional on one side, but hopefully change the opinions on euthanasia.
10 Years Younger;
This programme is another based around changing the lives of others for the better. The viewing frigures are from February 2011 and aired on Channel 4 at 8pm. 2.6 million people watched this programme the day that it aired. This programme hasnt got many similarities other than attempting to make people happier.
I would make my documentary more watchable than this by kepping the seriousness of it. Unlike 10 years younger which is almost like a rollercoaster of emotions, I would aim to stay focused on the 'task' at hand. Prooving my point and showing what needs to be shown.
Based on my research above; I would broadcast my magazine show on either a Tuesday or a Thursday at 9pm. This is because of the content of my work. There would be emotional scenes andf wouldnt be suitable on television at times before the watershed. I would choose to put my show on television on a Tuesday or a Thursday because most serious documentaries air on these days. For example the Terry Pratchett documentary aired on a Tuesday, and the other two that I researched aired on a Thursday. Other serious emotional documentaries such as Extrordinary People airs on a Thursday and repeats on a Tuesday.
We laer had a phone conversation where Jo had told me to email her at a later date giving her the names of some family members i would like to interview and she would attempt to get them to to agree in being in my documentary.
"They say that our bodies are our own, and we should be allowed to do what we want with them. So it's wrong to make anyone live longer than they want. In fact making people go on living when they don't want to violates their personal freedom and human rights.It's immoral, they say, to force people to continue living in suffering and pain.
Therefore; if suicide is not a crime, euthanasia should not be a crime."
Euthanasia (also kown by some as mercy killing) basically means to take a deliberate action with the express intention of ending a life to relieve intractable suffereing.
There are three differect types of euthanasia;
1. Voluntary:- This is where the patient gives 100% consent for their death. They get a full say in the matter.
2. Non-Voluntary:- This is where the patient cannot have an input; for example, if brain dead or in a vegetated state; th next of kin will make th decision based on the patients best interest.
3. Involuntary:- This is the type which is otherwise known as murder. This is where the patient has no thought in dying, the act goes against their will, for exampl child euthanasia.
There are two procedural types of euthanasia;
1. Passive:- This is where the life sustaining treatment is withheld; for example, people who have DNR cards (this means do not resuscitate).
2. Active:- This is where lethal substances are used to end the patients life.
1. Drugs:- The main method used in Switzerland, this is when an oral dose of an aniemic drug is given, follwed approximately 30 seconds after by a lethal ovrdose of powdered pentobarbital dissolved in either water or fruit juice. This overdose depresss the cental nervous system causing respitory arrest.
2. Injcetions:- The main method in the Netherlands, there are two injections, one which send the patient into a coma, then the second is given to stop the heart beating. Sometimes an intavnous potassium chloride is given to hasten cardiac arrest.
3. Starvation and dehydration:- Terminal sedation is mixed with the complete withdrawl of all foods and fluids.
4. Gases, plastic bags and "peaceful pill":- These ar the most used methods in Australia and Nw Zealand. Helium is taken to cause a death by lung failure. The peaceful pill is a barbiturate-based pill.
"If we can get people to except the removal of all treatment especially the removal of food and fluids, they will see what a painful way to die is, and then in the patients best interst, accept the lethal injection" - Dr Helga Kuhse
Euthanasia is currently illegal in Britain. To kill another person deliberately is murder or manslaughter, even if they have asked you to do so. Anyone doing so could fac 14 years in prison. Under the 1961 Suicide Act, it is also a criminal offence to assist, aid or counsel sombody in relation to taking their own life. Nevertheless, the authorities may decid not to prosecute in cases of euthanasia after taking into account the circumstances of death.
The Times (2007) reported by a survey that 80% of the public said they wanted the law changd to giv terminally ill patients the right to die with doctors help. I feel that if people deserve the right to live, they should deserve the right to die.
The word "euthanasia" litterally means "good death" but now in modern usuag it has come to mean intentional killing.
Terminally ill and incurably disabled people are those most at risk of having their lives deemed "not worth living" whether or not they have asked to be killed. Thes are the people viewed by the pro-ethanasia lobby as being the benficiaries of any law to allow euthanasia. People of vegetated states or are brain dead, as wll as the terminally ill are all people who ar most likely to ask for assisted suicide. However, 20% of the people asking for assistd suice are not ill at all, more just "tired of living"
How far back does it date? Euthanasia has ben going on for a long time. However the contemory debate on euthanasia started in 1870. Euthanasia was practisd in Ancit Greek as well as strongly opposed in the Judeo-Christian Tradition back in 1565. Religion has always been a factor for this. In th early 1800's Euthanasia techniques such as the morphine overdose was claimed as wrong and therefore starting the debate.
"That in all cases of hopeless and painful illness, it should be the recognised duty of the medical attendant, whenever so desired by th patient, to administer chloroform or such other anaesthetic to destroy the consciousness at once and put the sufferer to a quick and painless death" - Samuel Williams 1872
This is because i would get involved with th documentary. I would be seen on screen and i would show the audience me 'behind the scenes' so they get more of the truth.
Appeal To Audience:
What kind of people are against animal cruelty
Animal lovers would be against it
Age - any
Gender - Male and female
Interest - Animals
Location - Any
Ethnicity - Any
Assumed Knowledge:
Expect the audience to know a bit about it to get involved
Key Groups to Interview:
Animal lovers
Animal rights campaigners
animal sheltrs
zoo coodinators
Initial Idea Two Topic:
Unemployment in the UK
Angle:
Why so many people are unemployed
Are thre enough jobs?
Documentary Mode:
Participatory
This is becaus i would like there to be a presenter, on screen, as well as trying to make it an unbiased documentay.
Appeal To Audience:
Most 16-24 year olds are unemployed
Males and Females
Quite a large issue with most people
Age - 16 - 25 yr olds
Gender - Male and female
Interest - Finding work
Location - Uk
Ethnicity - Any
Assumed Knowledge:
Very little knowledge as to why this is
Key Groups to Interview:
Unemployed people aged 16-24
Job managers
Job Centre workers
Initial Idea Three Topic:
Euthinasia/Dignitas
Angle:
Is it wrong or right
More than 'murder'
What is it
Should it be illegal or not
Documentary Mode:
Particapatory/Reflexive
This is bcause i would like to get involved myself as i would like to find out som facts as well as show behind the scnes to show the facts are real as well as the places i go to.
Appeal To Audience:
Most people have heard of it but dont have knowledge of what it is
Have presenter with little knowledge
Doesnt apply to a certain type of audience so everyone could be interested
Age - 16+
Gender - Male and female
Interest - Law/politics, Medicine
Location - Any
Ethnicity - Any
Assumed Knowledge:
Almost nothing
Heard of it but not know anything - Give them reason to listen
For this task we had to create a video in which we spoke about the conventions of a studio news report.
In the video we spoke about;
The presenter/news anchor:
- Their costume
- The framing of the shot
- The choice of presenter
- And their body language
Mode Of Address to the Viewer:
- The readers tone of voice
- Their accent
- The language they spoke in
- And their eye contact with the camera/viewer
Interviewing Experts And/Or Witnesses:
- The camera techniques used
- The Location in which we filmed
- The status of the interviewee
- The graphics used
- And the question and answer techniques
We decioded to take the route of a 'mick take' to show the good exmapls and the bad examples of these such conventions.
"A Documentaries Primary Function Is To Offer The Audience Information And Put Forward An Argument, To Persuade The Audience To Think In A Certain Way, To Do Something To Accept The Argument. It Achieves This By Presenting The Truth Of It's Argument As Self Evident, Unified and Non-Contradictoy"
There are 5 documentary modes which Bill Nicholls has suggested, each in order of how they shape the truth;
1. Expository(voice of God)
This mode is what we most identify with the documentary; it "emphasizes verbal commentary and argumenative logic" often using a narrator.
March Of The Penguins is a clear example of an expository documentary. This is because the show is a nature documentary and most of these are usually always expository. They take an answer and explore that in one way, assuming a logical argument as well as using direct address. March of the penguins uses this as you never see the presenter, but you always hear him in the voice overs. The presenters do not get involved with the penguins.
However, some would argue that even though this type of documentary doesnt lie or take opinions, it doesnt show the whole truth.
- The producers choose what parts to record, as well as it was all planned before they went out and filmed it all.
- They also choose when to cut the shots and what parts to put together, then to be released.
Some have argued that this documentary have used animation which also has caused debates on whether this is the whole truth.
The use of narrativisation in this document is very important, as without it we wouldn't have a clue what is going on. There is not much dramatisation in this documentary as its real life, animal documentaries dont use 'drama' as there is usually alot there anyway. This documentary is very real, although arguable.
Having only a voice over on this video helps the audience understand what is going on in the video, what the penguins are doing and why, as the penguins can't tell us. Having a well known voice such as Morgan Freeman would make the audience feel relaxed and pay more attention to what he is saying.
2. Observational (window on the world) This mode is one in which is attempts to capture (as accurately as possible) objective reality with the filmmaker as neutral observer. A real example of 'fly on the wall'.
Geri is an example of this type of documentary because, as it explains above, a fly on the wall. This documentary shows the 'roller-coaster' career of the former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell. It follows her with very little involvment from the presenter, which makes it an observational documentary. This documentary involves, however, some candid behind the scenes footage of Geri as well as interviews with her.
This documentary would be a form of realism as the presenters show everything about her, although cuting away and not showing everything they film, it doesnt use narration or make it dramatic.
Observational documentaries show the audience what is going on, with no voice over or narration. This would make the audience think that what they are seeing is 100% rreal, which is what the director would have wanted to do. It would make the audience feel more enganged with the programme, however without narration they might not understand some things that are happening.
3.Interactive/Participatory
Unlike observaional, this mode welcomes direct engagement between the filmmaker and the subject. This means the filmmaker becomes part of the events being recorded.
Bowling For Columbineis agood example of the interactive mode. This is because of the way in which it is filmed. Michael Moore doesnt just choose what bits hes going to film and then films it, he specificaly films himself "behind the scenes" walking into shops, etc etc. This shows the audience what is actually happening, so it shows us more of the truth.
Although showing signs of bias and opinions, more of the truth comes out when he 'investigates'. Michael Moore's documentaries use some forms of narrativisation as well as realism, however, the use of dramatisation isnt usually present as, documentaries like this one, focus on very serious subjects. The use of reconstructions however, may be present.
Having the director become completely involved with the making of the documentary would help the audience believe that the documentary is real. It makes the documentary seem more believable as we see Michael Moore going step by step explaining what he is going to do. In a way, having him explaining this to us would make the viewer feel more safe, expecially when talking about a subject such as this.
4.Reflexive (awareness of the process)
This mode acknowledges the constructed nature of documentary and flaunts it conveying to people that it is not necessarily "truth" but a reconstruction of it."A truth but not THE truth."
Biggie and Tupac is a documentary based on the lifes and deaths of both Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. How they went from being close friends to meer enemies. This documentary shows you how the presenter goes form place to place, with his cameras, driving around in the car telling us what they are going to do next and then doing it, asking for people to interview. This makes it a reflexicve documentary as we are aware of the process of how they film the documentary. They use graphics and interviews with family members, archive footage from police tapes aswell as explaining where this came from. People would argue that this is more truthful than the last, because of the explanations of their recordings.
Nick Broomfield uses realismmainly in his documentary as all the facts he is giving are helping to make the documentary more real for the audience.
Again, having the makers explain what is going on would help to make the audience feel safe and would help them to believe that what they are seeing isn't fake or lies. However, as documentaries like this talk about events which happened in the past with people who have passed away, the viewers may feel that the reconstructions in the documentary aren't the actual truth, or the whole truth.
5.Performative (filmmaker as participant)
This mode of documentary emphasizes the dubjective nature of the documentarian as well as acknowledging the subjective reading of the audeince - notions of objectivity are replaced by evocation and affect.
Catfish is an example of a performative documentary. Some would argue whether this documentary is real or acted, however, this documentary has still 're-enacted' the story of what happened. They have used a lot of opinions in this documentary, which also makes it a subjective one, and the facts have been replaced with the idea of steering the audience to take on a certain opinion of one of the 'characters'. It has been filmed and edited in such a way that is emphasizes the emotional and social impact on the audience. It is also a performative documentary as the person who has made and presented this documentary, is one of the main people in it, almost like he his telling the story of what happend.
This is what makes the documentary more dramatised than anything else, it is made to give us a shock ending.
As this type of documentary isnt based on a true story, some people may feel scared about incidents like this. Although the documentary being from someones point of view, this doesnt mean its based on a true story. However, this being the case, some members of the audience may feel threatened by some of the images and information presented in this video.
A news package is a self contained taped piece of news report on a single, specified news story. Usually news anchor will read an introduction live, then the pre recorded story will be shown.
News packages/reports usually run for 1 minute 15 seconds to 2 minutes in length.
This type of news presentation is best for complicated stories or ones that have multiple interviews.
The Conventions Of a News Package;
1. Field Reporters / Correspondants / Editors.
Every news package should have one of the above, there are differences between them however.
- Field Reporter; They have a strict contract with the company they are working for.
- Correspondants;They are usually more freelance as they do not have a contract and are usually only chosen for working as they are near the location.
- Editor; They have more of an overview. Usually the head of a department.
These people are very important. They have to have a specific costume for the specific location they are wokring in, and they will usually have a certain involvement, whether they are stationary on the spot or getting physically involved in what is happening. Usually people will choose a steriotype for what they are presenting; the look of them, their accent, etc. And the graphics that go with them, whether the person is on screen for long or just speaking over graphics.
2. Links To Studio.
This is how the field reporter/correspondant/editor intorduces the studio again. They usually say their name, their location and who they are working for. This is the cue for the presenters in the studio to get ready.
It makes a difference, whether the field reporter is live or pre recorded, what location they are on, whether it is full on in the action or at a safe distance, and the camera language of there shot.
This can be done in two ways however; either the field reporter just speaking on their own, on location and then they cut back to the studio. OR there will be a conversation between the field reporter and the presenter in the studio. This is where the presenter will ask questions and the field reporter will answer back giving information and then will say goodbye and cut back to the studio.
3. Mode Of Adress To Viewer.
This is how the field reporter comes across to the audience;
- Their tone of voice; How they are talking, whether its exciting or mono toned.
- Their accent; Whether it suits the steriotype of the package, is it understandable? Does it change their tone?
- Language complexity; Are they using technical terms?
- Fact Provider or Analysing Expert; These are the two types of reporters. Fact Provider is someone who provides facts only, they do not offer any opinions and don't have much involvement. An Analysing Expert tells the viewers whats going on, they analyse the scene and they give both facts and opinions.
4. Interviewing Experts And Witnesses.
This is how the reporters on location interview certain people,
- For example, the camera techniques, how have they used them to stear the audiences opinions?
- What is their location, is serious or somewhere calm or noisy? And why have they chosen it?
- The status of the interviewee. Are they an expert? are they just a member of the public?
- Have any graphics been used during the interview? What was their purpose?
- Do you hear the questions or see the person asking them?
- Are they and Expert or a Witness? Do they have knowledge or were they apart of the story? Were they at the event or are they just a vox popper?
5. Report Structure.
The report structure is how they have laid out their report. Where they put each convention of the structure and why they have done so. The conventions;
- Sign in and context; This is how they introduce the story to the viewer.
- Archive footage; This is any old footage they have bought in to the story and why.
- Interviews and vox pops; This is whether they choose to interview people or do vox pops and why they have done so.
- Fact communication; This is how they tell the story, how they bring the facts across to the audience. Is it by an expert or a reporter or is it graphics on the screen.
- On location and where; are they at a safe distance from the event that is happening, why have they chosen to film there?
- Pieces to camera; This is when the presenter looks directly at the camera. How often do they do this.
- Cutaways and Noddies; Cutaways are when they add in an extra, almost random, clip to fill in a jump cut so it looks more professional. A noddy is when they cut to a shot of the interviewer nodding along to what the person is saying. - Sign outs and framing stories; This is how they end the show and summarise the story they have just told.
6. Actuality Footage.
This is a type of archive footage, however it is more amature footage, from mobile phones or cameras. Actuality footage would have been filmed anyway.
For example, this would be when the footage comes on the screen for a certain amount of time, shwoing you what the presenter is talking about. You can usually tell whether the footage is from a professional camera or an amature source, such as a mobile phone. They use a certain amount of the footage depending on what it contains. Also the contexuality of the footage, Why was it filmed and who was it filmed by?
EXAMPLES;
This is one example of some of the above conventions;
- Field Reporters -
The field reporter in this example is doing a voice over, over archive footage of the story he is talking about. It is real police footage with is used as evidence.
He is not physically involved with the story as we do not see his face at all in the explanation of the story.
We hear the traditional lines when he signs out but we do not see his face, telling us he is not an expert or involved in this story.
- Links To Studio -
We hear the lines "Guy Smith, BBC London News" and then they go back to the studio.
They have kept with the tradition, however, we do not see the reporters face.
- Mode Of Address To Viewer -
As we do not see our first reporters face in this video it is hard to analyse most things.
We hear his voice; it is calm and neutral. There is no accent present.
He does not speak in monotone, he puts some emphasis on some words, making us want to listen to him more.
He uses some complex words in his speech telling us he has possibly researched into the story.
He was a fact provider, meaning he just gave the facts of the story; this tells us he is not an expert as he gave no opinions on what he thought would happen.
- Interviewing Experts And Witnesses -
There were no interviews within the first interview; however there were some vox pops.
The first was a policeman who was being interviewed outside of the police station. This shows his authority and as he gave opinions, he knows what he is talking about.
The second was another expert who was filmed outside a large building on a corner with traffic. This shows he is not as important as the police, but as he was wearing a suit he was quite knowledgeable of the subject.
The last was another expert, who was being filmed in his kitchen with paperwork shown. This shows he was recently doing work on his speciality and as he gave opinions too, he knows what he's talking about.
- Report Structure -
The sign in - The presenter had introduced the field reporter and gave a very brief summary of what he would be explaining.
The use of archive footage came in straight away whilst the field reporter did a voice over of facts.
The facts were communicated the whole way through that segment with some opinions from other shown.
The vox pops came one after the other in order of importance making it more reliable for the viewers.
There was no pieces to camera however, and this was because we never see the field reporter on screen.
There was one cutaway of a shot of someone typing on a key board, and no noddies present.
The sign out was very short and quick, almost like he didn't want to be heard any longer
- Actuality Footage -
There was some evidence of actuality footage in this example.
The videos of the police footage when they were working was actuality footage.
There are 6 subgenres for factual programming; Here is an explanaition of each.
1. Docu Drama
A docu drama is a television or film dramatisation of events based on fact. ( is NOT a re-enactment)
- Some facts are over exagerated because it is a drama, however it is based on a true story.
- However; some films based on true events are not as they are more hollywood type films.
- Examples of these are; Titanic 127 hours Texas Chainsaw Massacre . . .
eg; Whats Love Got To Do With It?
This is a bad example of a docu drama because it is not filmed in the style of a documentary and is is more hollywood based around someones life. 'Whats love got to do with it' is a docu drama film based around the true story of the singer Tina Turner and how she rose to stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner and how she gained the courage to break free.
This is the trailer for the film. ^^
eg; The Road To Guantantamo
- This is a good example of a docu drama.
- "Part drama, part documentary, The Road to Guantánamo focuses on the Tipton Three, a trio of British Muslims who were held in Guantanamo Bay for two years until they were released without charge." - IMBD
- This film is a docu drama;
- I say this because it is a true story, it is about a very serious subject as well as the fact that that it is newsorty.
- It is shot in the style of a documentary (handheld cameras).
- They have got real stories from the people who were experiencing this. For example, there is a moment in the film where one of the people on the journey explains how he witnessed the death of his friend. - This was an actual account form someone.
- There are handheld cameras in this film as well as points of view which make it look more realistic like the 'actors' were actually there .
2. Docu Soap
A docu soap is a television documentary series in which the lives of the people being filmed are presented entertainment or drama.
- Docu soaps are documentaries on real events, however they contain the same people every episode only facing new/different things.
- Examples of these would be ; Driving School
Airport
Cash Britain
eg; Ice Road Truckers
Ice Road Truckers would be a clear example of a docu soap.
- Every episode it contains the same people in it, however they are not actors.
- Each week they have to deliever different products, driving through icey roads and cliff sides.
- It is a soap because it adds in overexagerated drama, for example, in one scene; the voice over explains how they could face death. As well as the dramatic music in the background.
- They use archive footage in each episode showing the dangers of driving on these roads. Old images and films from people driving off.
- They present the facts in this show with a voice over and a montage of images/videos of the trucks and the types of roads they drive on.
- The people who drive these trucks are experts on the roads they travel on.
3. Infotainment
Infotainment are information based programmes that involve entertainment values.
- Examples of these would be , Top Gear, because it is a show that a lot of people watch because of their interest in cars, however it gives information about the cares they are testing each week.
- Another example of this would be Soccer AM. This is because they are giving out information that has previously been in the news, but it is being presented in a humorous way.
eg; The Daily Show
- This is a show America based which is almost a spoof of the news. Real people talking about real news in a fake news room is very informative however they take the mick and have a laugh whilst informing the audience of the news.
- The clip above is one of the episodes from The Daily Show. As you can see, it is the main presenter (right) and the actor from the film The Dictator (left).
- They have made it so it looks like this is the real General Aladeen and they talk about the movie and himself, even though it is a mick take and this is just an actor, they are giving real information and have turned it into a comedy show.
- They have presented the facts in the style of a news report, even though it is comical, the facts are still being told and in a different way.
4. Reality TV
Reality TV is a show that takes real people, into a real place and it is unscripted the whole way through.
BAD EXAMPLE :(
Made In Chealsea ;
- This goes against ALL the conventions of a reality television show.
1. They do not film it once. They film it multiple times. I know this because they have a shot reverse shot during conversation when on a set.
2. They have a script. Clearly you can see that the actors have been made up and have special characters that are probably not really who they are. Who learn lines to create drama.
3. It iscreated to look real however most of the setting is fake, as well as most of the characters made on this show. That probably ISN'T how people live in Chelsea.
- Big Brother is a good example of reality television.
1. This is becasue they do not have a script and it is only ever filmed once.
2. Most of the episodes are live, proving that they only film once.
3. Real people with real life issues are put in the show, each with different personalities to create their own drama.
5. Educational TV
Educational TV programmes are ones in which they give out educational information. Such as school shows. Most are childrens shows.
- They give out learning information which encourage the viewers to learn more outside of school.
eg; Love Patrol
- Launched in 2007, and was praised as an edutainment series, as it aimed to educate viewers on the issue of AIDS, while simultaneously providing an entertaining story.
- Love Patrol has used montaging at the beggining of there show. They put together a few clips from the show with a voice over and some theme music.
- They tell the story/facts in almost a reallife point of view. With moments wheer they stop o talk to the audience.
- They have used archive footage in their show, showing what ahppend if you get these diseases and how to get rid of them etc.
6. Wildlife Documentary
Wildlife documentaries are pretty self explanitary. They are programmes based around what goes on in the wild. This can range from animal behaviour as well as how the earth is being changed.
Examples of this would be programmes such as;
- Caught in the Act which a documentary series based around how differet or the same species of animal act around each other in the wild.
eg; Meerkat Manor
-Meerkat Manor is a clear example of a wildlife documentary as cameras follow around a certain group of meerkats which they have named the Whiskers.
- The show goes on to show how dominant males change and fight for mating rights, how rival meerkats attempt to steal land, how they bring up their young.
- They film this also with no physical contact or interferance with the meerkats.
- Meerkat Manor uses a point of view, which is biased towards the side of the group they have been following, for example the way they do the voice overs, they will explain how the rivals have done bad things and they defend the Whiskers, the group they are on side with.
7. Special Interest Documentary
These are traditional documentaries which have a very niche appeal.
-They only focus on one story per episode
- They stand alone (this means that there might only be one story on this subject)
- They are rarely shown on mainstream channels, like BBC
- they serve a purpose for the audience.
eg; Beyond Barbed Wire
- This 88 minute documentary which is about the story of the struggle thaqt the japanese americans went through during the war.
- This comes under special interest documentaries because they are focusing on one subject, japanese people at war. There for it will probably only appeal to those that have an intereset in war and/or are japanese americans.
- This was also the only documentary made on the subject of japanese americans at war.
8. Make Over Show
A development of reality TV genre, in which a member of the public's life is tranformed for the better.
- These usualy have one main host that appear every week. Usually an expert on what they are talking about. For example, How clean is your house, The hosts/experts are Annie and Kim. The show wuoldnt be the same without these hosts.
- The show usually has a light hearted tone, to make the person feel better about them selves.
- They show usually focuses on one or two people each episode.
Examples of these would be ;
10 years younger
How clean is your house
Supersize vs super skinny
eg; Hoader Next Door
- Psychotherapist Stelios Kiosses and a team of expert de-clutterers come to the aid of a group of extreme hoarders in a bid to change their lives and homes.
- The experts on the show help the hoarderschange their life for the better.
- The show also only focuses on one person per episode.
- The hoarder next door uses montage with voice over when they are explaing the person they are going to help with in the episode. They use over exagerated camera movements to emphasise the fact that these people NEED help with their addiction.
- They have a presenter who is also the expert of the show. They sometimes bring in others depending on the case of the hoarder, however, the presenter knows what he is talking about.
- They interview the hoarders as well as family and/or neighbours of this person to again emphasise the fact that these people are very messy. And not just how it affects them but the others around them.
9. Discussion
A studio panel show in which experts discuss issues on a specific topic/theme. May or may not include a live audience.
- They discuss serious topics, however may take a lighter side of it.
- Often live or near to live.
- They usualy incluse social media, like phone ins or facebook pages.
- It is NOT an interview.
- The guests are there from the start to the finish.
These type of shows are hardly around so they are hard to find.
eg; Loose women
Loose women is a clear example of a discussion show. There is one main presenter of the show and the other women on there appear multiple times but not in every show.
The show talkes about real things near to the time that it has happend.
The other guests appear from the start to the finish.
10. Review show
A television show which has the sole purpose of reviewing new products within a specific field.
eg; Top Gear
This is a good example of a review show as it follows the key conventions;
- The presenter usually tries out the products in s formulaic way (this means the same way each time).
- The presenter does voice overs, over archive footage.
- Most of the show is usually presented in a studio.
- There would possibly be an interview with an expert.
As you can see; Top gear follows these conventions. They test out each car on the same track, with the same number of laps, at its fasted speed, and tat the end, they put it on a chart of which car was the fastest and completed the track in the fastest time.
11. Chat Show
A studio based show in which people appear to discuss everyday issues.
- NOT celebrities. normal people.
- Usually a judgemental host
- Often designed to settle conflict
- Live with a studio audience
- May do follow ups to see how guests are doing.
Examples of these would be programmes such as;
- Steve Wilkos Show
- Maury Povich
- Jerry Springer (even though this is paid in actors)
eg; Jeremy Kyle
Jeremy Kyle is a very good example of chat shows, as he interviews real people and attempts to resolve their issues, whether it is personal issues, family issues or marital issues.
However, with a twist. They are not just normal issues for example, "he cheated on me" it would be worse; such as "he cheated on me when i was giving birth", or may be taken a step further such as "he cheated on me while i was giving birth, with my mother."
- Jeremy Kyle uses montage in his show, at the very beggining whilst he is explaining what is coming up in todays show, there fore he also uses a voice over.
- The whole show is pretty much an interview with the guests that appear on the show, sometimes with interactions from the audience.
- Jeremy Kyle is very biased, however, he will take the side of the person who is seen to be in the wrong. This stears the audiences opinions as well because they will see who is the bad guy of the show.
- Jeremy Kyle being the presenter of the show is also the expert of the show. He has been through alot, which most of the people on the show have been throughm so being experienced in the field, he uses this knowledge to help people. However, there will be times where other experts have to come in, like councelrs or rehab facilitators etc.
12. Magazine Show
A show which brings together a number of short things from all different shows.
They are less structural, and usually have to fill in paces as the whole show has not been planned.
eg; Celebrity Juice Celebrity juice is an example of a magazine show as not only does it talk about real news, but it has aspects of games and laughter which would not be found in an educational tv show. There is a panel of guests however their is always at least one main presenter (Keith Lemon).
- The show uses montage like most others as well as interviews with the guests on the show.
- The show does talk about real facts, however they bring in other elements for example games and quizes which would not be found in the news .
