The Five Modes Of Documentary Typical Conventions

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The Five Modes Of Documentary Typical Conventions

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Expository

• London Can Take It

Observational

• Listen to Britain

Participatory

• Micheal Moore

Reflexsive

• Man On Wire
• Camoflage

Performative

• London can Take it

Audience reaction to Seven Days

The Daily Mail, discusses audience feedback and reactions to the later episodes of Seven Days

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1318865/Big-Brother-style-Channel-4-reality-Seven-Days-sees-ratings-halve-just-650-000.html

The Independent, also, suggests the lack of audience response and interest of Seven Days

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/the-painful-reality-no-one-is-watching-seven-days-2100992.html

Comparing Documentary Styles

Upon the advancement of our documentary study, we looked at two contrasting war time films. Although both Documentary pieces, we analyzed that they sustain very different conventions. Below I have bullet pointed the varying conventions of both pieces. 


London Can Take It

1. Distinct "neutral" voice over 
2. Propaganda message 
3. Linear Didactic 
4. There is a very developed suggestion of social cause and, therefore, affect. 
5. Very solely based on the impact on London as a industrial place representing the "peoples war"
6. Created to suggest power to the Americans with insecurity of British support

Listen to Britain 

1.  There is no narrative 
2. A sever patriotism is suggested in the piece
3. Due to the directors (Jennings) academic background, the documentary in incredibly impressionistic and circular
4. The musical harmony of the soundtrack suggests a harmony in British Society 
5. The cross cuts and development of editing suggests appeal to a diversified audience base of all classes and backgrounds 

Researching Documentary Forms - Samantha from Seven Days

As part of our research development, it was imperative to see whether the charactars actually developed their life choices around the suggestions of their audience. In order to prove whether the characteristics of audience choice existed, we have chosen a character to experiment with a see whether our suggestion really do appear in the lives of those we are observing. 

I have chosen Samantha, a model who is aspiring to be an actress. I was interested in Samantha because she has become an incredibly controversial character. People observe her too be an incredibly obnoxious, pompous and selfish. I would somewhat agree with the statement, however I find it interesting to see the reaction from the audience on "Samanthas Chat Nav". 

We can already see the development of audience involvement in this show. Not just on the internet, but in the show itself. Samantha and Lauren come face to face with some one who is interested in the reality of the show and their behavior. I personally believe it must be suggested that this interaction with a member of the public suggests reality, and the editors and producers are obviously playing to the knowledge that if normal people can be involved and have critical comment on the cast's lives in the show, then undoubtably they will get involved online.  

Researching Documentary Forms - Seven Days

Upon finding out about the development of our production in this year, we needed to develop an understand for the use of documentary in a contemporary society, such as we are today. Therefore we are now undergoing a research task, and social experiment to discover the way in which documentary is used in a modern society.

The choices made for Seven Days were interesting ones. Seven Days follows 10 people in Notting Hill for 7 days, the show then documents their average every day life. The documentary has set up forums such as twitter and facebook to allow audiences to access the people on the show and present them as very normal people, in equality with the people who are watching the show. Although representing media conventions in this series, it is incredibly unconventional and therefore the audience are intrigued by the reality of what is going on.

As part of the audience base, I am intrigued to see the development of the show. As it is only 3 episodes in, we are setting up expectations from the characters and their interactions. The power shift has occurred, an television audiences officially have the power. What will the audience chose to do?

(Click for: Seven Days Trailer)

Looking at Review Form

John Welsh reviews Seven Days for the Independent

This review of Seven Days develops resentment towards the outcome of each episode. This review is somewhat negetive, but they do create interesting points about the development of each charactars futures after the show. The belief that this show can actually create change in these charactars lives is something that allows the audience to be interested and genuinelly feel a power shift in the television/documentary conventions.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/seven-days-channel-4-wednesdaybrgareth-malones-extraordinary-school-for-boys-bbc2-thursday-2089636.html

Looking at Review Form

Tim Dowling reviews Seven Days for The Guardian 

The review of the "compelling" documentary or "docusoap" gives a very specific view of the development of this series. Dowling is positive that media critics and the audience will react well to this new concept of television and audience involvement. The genuine unpredictability of these peoples lives is considered to be the most interesting development of this new series. We as audience however, have sustained power over the unpredictability and we can now have the option to the take the reigns and develop the show to exactly what an audience want. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/sep/23/seven-days-tv-review