3 Minute Wonder; Pre-Production

3 Minute Wonder: Proposal

I had various of ideas for a documentary of my own:
1 - Hobbies; Dancing - Photography 
2 - Family Lifestyle; Family Size - Family Gender - Location of family 
3 - Health; Fast foods - Healthy food - Costs of food - Cautions and Lookouts
4 - Society; Behavior - Cultures - Everyday lifestyle

For my documentary I thought I would base it around my favourite hobby Photography. I will have lots of different camera angles shooting me photographing different sceneries at different times. It would be focused on Photography and the amazing things you can do when photographing, there will also be dialogue over the top of the clip, me talking, explaining why I love photography. 

The format of my documentary will be an Expository Documentary and the genre will be special interests. The main focus will be the topic itself 'Photography.' The target audience for my documentary wouldn't really be restricted this is because no matter what age you are you can be into photography and find that topic very interesting to do. Photography doesn't have an age limit therefore if I was to put an age restriction on my documentary not only would it not be fair but it wouldn't make sense. Therefore my target audience is for both primary and secondary audiences and also all ages.
By producing this documentary I hope that more people will be interested in photography, I want to try and make more people feel interacted with photography and feel the emotions and feelings behind each captured shot.
To film my documentary I will have to go to a certain location in Great Yarmouth however it is only walking distance for me therefore I wont need to worry on costs of travelling and problems when getting there. There's only one place which I wish to record and it is by the riverside under/beside the Asda bridge.
I wont need anyone but myself to record my documentary although an extra pair of hands would be helpful when it comes to recording me shooting and taking photo's also when im talking about the subject. 
To record my documentary I will need a camera which will record me whilst using another camera to take photo's on whilst being filmed. I have got my own camera's however I may need to borrow one from the college I attend East Norfolk Sixth Form College. I can wear any clothes when recording as-long as I look presentable and also except-able for the public considering all ages will be watching my documentary.
There wont be any budget needed for this documentary as I won't need to pay out for any of the props; cameras. Although if I find my camera runs out of batteries (because it's ran by batteries) I will need to buy fresh brand new ones.

3 Minute Wonders; Research

Whilst browsing through YouTube and watching various of different documentaries I found several that I liked and others that I didn't like.

The first one I watched was called - 'Beneath My Skin - Tattoo Mini Doc - 3 Minute Wonder' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8izhvooLo6MI liked this documentary because, the women who this documentary is based around, she is explaining why she loves tattoo's and her feelings behind the word. I like how she used the shot angles in the clip and I also liked that she recorded herself giving another person a tattoo.

The second one I watched was called - 'Trilogy Dance Crew - 3 Minute Wonder' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ9bcueXVGo
I liked this documentary because instead of having one person talking throughout the entire clip, you have different people who had different roles speak their own part. I liked how at the beginning we was told a little about the group and I also got to see how they danced and where.

The third one I watched was called - '3 Minute Wonder - This is Our Youth: Carrot Crew' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of5bfdqZkKI
I didn't like this documentary because I feel that it is inappropriate and isn't being taken seriously, not only are the 'Carrot Crew' causing a riot they are also causing arguments and trouble within the school.

Documentary 'mini-task'

Introduction:

A documentary is a film or a movie examining an event or a person based on only the facts. Documentaries are used to show real life stories filmed in a realistic documentary style.

Paragraph 1:

Expository Documentaries are documentaries that expose a certain person or a specific topic. Expository documentaries normally have a narrator talking over the time of the images or film explaining or informing us on what is going on/happening. There are five main conventions for this type of documentary:
- A commentator
- Facts

- Opinions

- Persuasive Techniques

- Rhetorical Questions

I've found my own example of a Expository Documentary on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RFuzk_-qqc
By watching this 3 minute documentary clip you will notice that there are some points (above) that are missing but there are also certain points that make this documentary a Expository. Throughout the film you will notice that the students in the film give their opinions throughout the entire clip, they try using some persuasive techniques however they didn't persuade me at all, also because the students talk throughout the entire clip i didn't think it matched the conventions however when it got to the last 30 seconds the girl decided to do some talking over the top of the clip, at this point she was the commentator.
Paragraph 2:
Observational Documentaries consists of the film-maker following the person around with, normally a handheld camera, to observe events that may happen/happening in their everyday lifestyle. There's not normally any interviews involved in this type of documentary and also there isn't any voice overs. There are certain techniques that are used within this documentary type:
- Editing; cropping out parts of the recording that doesn't need to be shown or is cropped to skip time. Also speeding up the clips to skip certain parts that are not needed within the documentary. 
- Sound; Adding music to the documentary will make the film more interesting to watch.
- Camera shots/angles; long shots are often used to make sure everything that needs to be seen will be seen. 
I found my own example of a Observational Documentary on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byZPQ8aLomA
When watching this documentary you will notice that as said above, there is no voice over throughout the entire film however, when you get to the ending of the clip you will hear a high pitched ringing sound, this isn't to interest you but it could be added to make the clip seem scary or horrific.
There are loads of cropped shots in this clip, showing different locations but only for a short amount of time.
Paragraph 3:
An interactive documentary that is made well, will allow the filmed people to express their opinions and views, and the film maker may juxtapose one opinion with a contrary opinion, therefore offering the spectator a balanced view. Sometimes the film maker is the main person on screen, which may serve to hold the documentary together.
There are various of use of archive material such as;
- Stills
- News - footage
- Newspaper headlines
- Letters etc.
When making a interactive documentary a handheld camera is normally used on location shooting.
I found an example on YouTube of a interactive documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mLAcfdDdhg If you watch this clip you will notice that there is only one male speaking over the top of the photo's/footage, telling us his opinion and what he went through/what he experienced. The male is telling the watchers/viewers how he felt and what he saw/had to deal with. Throughout the entire clip you are seeing different images of different men and from the clip I can tell that these are the people he was with and who he is talking about, these are the men that fought.

Paragraph 4:
A reflexive documentary, the film maker acknowledges their presence in front of the camera and provides a narrative to the documentary. The reflexive style of documentary is usually associated with experimental documentaries, where the viewer is just as interested about how the film is constructed as they are the actual content. Reflextive documentaries tend to be the must truthful, as they always focus on realism, and try to show things exactly as they happen, without editing or special effects. However, as the film maker narrates and addresses the audience specifically, viewers opinions are swayed by those of the documentary maker.
I found an example of a reflexive documentary on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3m1beasBjQ

When watching this clip you will notice that the women is talking about her life and her own experience. She is talking about her first time doing art and how she enjoys it and why. Throughout the entire clip the camera is positioned only on her, you see another shot of the girl and another person recording her, and these angles will switch throughout the clip.
Paragraph 5:
The emphasis of the filmmaker’s subjective attitude or personal engagement with a subject to evoke audience reaction.
There are various of points that make up a performative documentary;
- Documentary maker (and crew) interacts with subject.
- Documentary maker comments on the process of making the documentary.
- The documentary is often shaped in to the narrative of an investigation or search- which their may be no satisfactory conclusion to.
- Addresses the audience in an emotional and direct way.
- Subject matter often to do with identity (gender, sexuality)- rather than ‘factual’ subjects.
I found an example of a performative documentary on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW9Ic28qUM8
When watching this clip you will notice that there are various of different people talking about a relationship which may or may not have been broken now, but instead of talking separately, they have decided to finish of each others sentences, this could show that they've all gone through the same thing therefore they all match each other. The shots switch from each other when they all have their turn at speaking. They chose that certain song/tune in the background so then the watchers will feel their emotions when viewing their clip.
Conclusion:
A documentary should try and present its subject matter as true to the source as possible and to try not detract from it. The truth must be shown in an authentic light and that the term 'the ends justify the means' doesn't apply to documentary film making. From my own perspective I prefer the interactive mode. This is because I like the how the presenter becomes involved in the documentary sometimes communicating with the audience giving context to what is going on. This also helps to make the documentary a sort of story, which personally draws me in more than some of the other modes.  I feel however that to be a successful documentary there must be entertainment as well as truth included in the text and that sometimes if being slightly bias makes the documentary a more entertaining one, involving the audience more, that this is an acceptable method.

Introduction to the news

Behind TV News

The Reporter (on location) - the news reporter gathers up to date news and information to keep the audience/watchers informed on the updates/about important events and what is going on. Reporters can gather information in various of different ways; personal interviews, contacts, wire services (news transmitted through satellite dishes), news-briefings, and question-and-answer periods. A news reporter gather this information to be broadcasted to the public. They do this buy advertising through Newspapers, Magazines, Television and also radio stations rely on news correspondents to keep their readers, viewers and listeners informed. 

The Presenter(s) (the studio) - a presenter works at the front line of television and also introduces and host programmes, reads the news out, interview certain people and report on (their) issues and events, that are appropriate. Some presenters (not all) may work with/on a range of programmes or specialise in a particular type such as, current affairs. The calm and relaxed manned of successful presenters make the job seem easier than it really is. During a typical production the presenter may work closely with the director, floor manager, camera operators and sound operators.

Director (studio ~ control centre) - the director is the person who is in charge or directing and the directs of the film. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design and the creative aspects of film-making. The film director gives direction to the cast and crew and creates an overall vision through which a film eventually becomes realized. Some directors also write their own screenplays or collaborate on screenplays with long-standing writing partners. Some directors edit or appear in their films, or compose the music score for their films.

Producer (creative construction decisions) - a producer plays an integral role in the television, film and video industries they will oversee each project from conception to completion and may also be involved in the marketing and distribution processes. Producers work closely with the directors and other production staff on a shoot. Increasingly, they need to have directing skills as they may be the director and be in charge of all project operations. Producers arrange funding for each project and are responsible for keeping the production within the allocated budget.

Camera Operator (on-location or in studio) - a television camera operator works with digital, electronic and film cameras and produces pictures for directors by combining the use of complex technology with creative visual skills. A camera operator may specialise in any or all of the following areas:
- in a studio
- on location
- outside broadcasts.
A camera operator usually works under a director or director of photography and may be supported by a camera assistant. The role involves a mix of technical and creative skills.

Editor 1 - craft editor (post production)
Editor 2 - Prospects list                       - Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of film making. The term film editing is derived from the traditional process of working with film, but now increasingly involves the use of digital technology. The film editor works with the raw footage, selecting shots and combining them into sequences to create a finished motion picture. Film editing is described as an art or skill, the only art that is unique to cinema, separating film-making from other art forms that preceded it, although there are close parallels to the editing process in other art forms like poetry or novel writing. 

Part 1:
I watched a clip from BBC News which was called - '"We played dead"' says Tunisia beach attack survivor - BBC News.'
During this broadcast there was only one story that was covered and this was the Tunisian beach attack which had happened this year during June.
Throughout the entire broadcast a woman named Angela Evans, from King's Lynn in Norfolk, talks about her horrific experience during the beach attack and claims she 'played dead' and 'had her face down in the sand' she did this to save herself and her neighbour from being shot and possibly dying. During Angela explaining her story because of the way it is being filmed, sitting by herself explaining exactly what happened in a low tone voice, you feel her emotions and begin to feel how she is feeling, upset.


Part 2:
A woman aged 54 years old whose name is Kay Burley.

A newsreader/presenter is a person who presents the news during a program (news) or on television. Their role is to always keep their audiences informed by presenting information or/and entertainment in an accessible and attractive way.

There are various of skills needed, for example;
1. Make general contact with the audience and other people around you show them that you're enjoying their company
2. To have an outgoing attractive and strong personality, being confident is definitely important
3. Make sure to have great communication skills and to be sure to have a good understanding of the entire production that is being processed.
4. Make sure you have excellent skills in both oral communication, written communication and presentation.  

Part 3:
News ordering - to order the news to make sure the audience is watching, listening and staying interested until the broadcast has finished.
The term for a list of broadcasts is called a running order.
The first story is called the leading story this is because it is the most important story compared to all the other stories and all the other stories which follow the lead story are ranked in terms to interest to the audience and to keep them occupied. They round up these news stories towards the end of the broadcast. The last story is known as the "and finally" story which is lighter news than the others. This is because the news changes all the time therefore you need to be ready for any changes that can be made to fit in the broadcast this way the reporters and director will need to think of how to change things around it. A slow news day is when news editors publish trivial stories due to the lack of more substantial topics. 

Part 4:
Bias through Selection and Omission - An editor can express a bias by choosing to use or not to use a specific new item. Within a given story, some details can be ignored, and others included, to give readers or viewers a different opinion about the events reported for example;during a speech if a few people boo from the audience the reaction, they can be ignored as a handful of dissidents.

Bias through Placement/Order - An advertising technique used by companies to subtly promote their products through a non-traditional advertising technique usually through appearances in film, television or other media for example; Coca-Cola could pay a given fee to have the title character drinking a bottle or can of Coke instead of a Pepsi beverage.

Bias through Headlines - A headline’s purpose is to draw attention to the story very quickly and briefly. It is generally written by a copy editor, but may also be written by the writer, the page layout designer or other editors. It not only tells the reader what the news story is, this headline gives the opinion on a particular subject for example; The Wall Street Journal’s “Court Backs Loaded Guns in Public” contains the reporter/editor’s opinion.  It not only tells the reader what the news story is, this headline gives the opinion that the Court made the wrong decision; has created a dangerous situation. 

Bias through Shot selection and Camera angles - Pictures can make people look different to what they actually are. The photo's that the newspapers choose to use can heavily influence the public's perception of a person or event as they can be misleading and sometimes even wrong. Names and Captions often use labels or titles to describe someone in a story, like for criminals they conjure up a name that is often scary/ interesting, just like 'Jack the Ripper.'

Bias through Names and Captions (how you describe an individual) - News often use titles and captions to describe people, places and events. In many places around the world one person's friend is another person's enemy therefore peoples opinions vary when hearing a certain caption or name.

Bias through the use of Language (phrasing and emotive language etc) - The use of labels such as “terrorist,” “revolutionary,” or “freedom fighter” can create completely different impressions of the same person or event. People can be influenced by the use of positive or negative words on a topic or on a person.