MEDIA PRESENTATION

BY

DERICK ODURO

DOCUMENTARYThe term ‘documentary’ stems from the verb ‘to document', to convey information on the basis of proof and evidence to support it, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

In the realm (domination) of films and cinema, a documentary is a film that is an attempt, in one fashion or another, to show reality as it really is.

Another way of defining documentary is the necessity to capture life as it is – as it naturally appears. It needs to be filmed surreptitiously (secretly), while the goal is to capture life’s unawareness and natural beauty.

TV DOCUMENTARY

The television documentary is an adaptable form of nonfictions programming that has served various functions throughout the standard history: as a symbol of prestige for advertisers and networks, an important point for national attention on complex issues, a record of the human experience and the natural world, and an instrument of artistic and social expression.

Unlike other programming on American television, documentaries have typically been sustained for reasons other than high ratings and ad sales. Consequently, the health of the documentary form serves as an indicator of a network's commitment to news and as an indicator of social, political, and economic dynamics.

PURPOSE OF DOCUMENTARY

Firstly, they concentrate upon actual evidence relating to real events in history and the world around us rather than fictional stories.

Secondly, the way documentaries are made, that is the devices/techniques used to film real people, real events or explain historical events and scientific discoveries for example, tend to be different from fiction films.

Thirdly, documentaries speak about or allow others to speak for themselves. The documentary filmmaker often acts as a representative of the public.

Fourthly, documentaries provide a particular view, interpretation or understanding of the evidence put before us.

TYPES OF DOCUMENTARIESFly on the wall documentary:In which the camera becomes invisible whilst following people in the

course of their daily lives e.g., No going back, Airport, Vets

Video diaries:Only one highly portable camera is used in this very personal & individual

form. The camera is used as a ‘confident’ . This is gradually replacing fly on the wall.

Docusoap or reality TVUsually part of a series of programmes which feature a look at an

institution through a set of ‘characters’ who appear each week e.g., Big Brother, America’s Next Top model, Wifeswap, Shipwrecked.

Drama documentaryWhere the events are re-created using actors but actual facts and real

events form the story. E.g., Hillsborough,

DOCUMENTARIES I LOOKED AT:

MY FIRST IDEA

MARRIAGE

• RELIGIOUS VIEW ON MARRIAGE

• SAME SEX MARRIAGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K9dS9wl7U

• HOW MARRIED PEOPLE REALLY FEEL ABOUT BEING MARRIED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDf0wl0SUXo

Religious aspects of marriage

In virtually all religions, marriage is a long-term union between two people and is established with ceremonies and rituals. The two people are most commonly a man and a woman, though many societies have permitted polygamous marriages, and same-sex marriage is now acknowledged in some places.

CATHOLICS

 In the Roman Catholic Church "Holy Matrimony" is considered to be one of the seven sacraments, in this case one that the spouses bestow upon each other in front of a priest and members of the community as witnesses.  In marriage, Christians see a picture of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church.

JUDAISIM

In Judaism, marriage is so important that remaining unmarried is deemed unnatural. Islam also recommends marriage highly; among other things, it helps in the pursuit of spiritual perfection.

Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Faith sees marriage as a foundation of the structure of society, and considers it both a physical and spiritual bond that endures into the afterlife.

Hinduism sees marriage as a sacred duty that entails both religious and social obligations. By contrast, Buddhism does not encourage or discourage marriage, although it does teach how one might live a happily married life and emphasizes that married vows are not to be taken slightly 

TARGET AUDIENCEThe target audience for this documentary would be

young teenagers. In saying this I am looking at those who are 12 years and above.

It could be argued that they are too young to start learning about marriage but I personally believe that it’s a general knowledge in religion and wouldn’t do any harm knowing that.

In the making of the 5 minutes extract from this documentary I would most likely take the extract from the start of the documentary where I would have the about three interviews and then a voice over whiles the camera will be taking a video of the church.

MY FOCUS

In the making of the 5 minutes extract from this documentary I would most likely take the extract from the start of the documentary where I would have about three interviews and then a voice over whiles the camera will be taking a video of the church.

During this there would be a hymn playing in the background using a church organ.

SECOND IDEA

IS SOCIAL STATUS SEEN AS AN IMPORTANT THING IN LONDON AND IF SO, HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE.

THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT CLASS PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY ARE IN AND WHAT CLASS SOCIETY SEE PEOPLE IN

HAS THE RECESSION HAS AFFECTED THESE PEOPLE OR NOT

What is Class?Sociologists define social class as the grouping of people by

occupations. Doctors and lawyers and university teachers are given more status than unskilled labourers. The different positions represent different levels of power, influence and money.

The British Social Class SystemThe British society has often been considered to be divided into

three main groups of classes:the Upper Class

Often people with inherited wealth. Includes some of the oldest families, with many of them being titled aristocrats.

the Middle ClassThe majority of the population of Britain. They include industrialists, professionals, business people and shop owners.

Lower or Working ClassPeople who are agricultural, mine and factory workers.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZAyYBDUNug

FINAL IDEA

STREET DANCING

• WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT STREET DANCING

• HOW STREET DANCING EMERGED• DOES IT HAVE A MEANING

Street dance is also commonly used specifically for the many hip hop and funk dance styles that began appearing in the United States in the 1970s, and are still alive and evolving within hip hop culture today: break dance, popping, locking, hip hop new style, house dance and electro dance. These dances are popular as a form of physical exercise, an art form, and for competition, and are today practiced both at dance studios and other spaces. Some schools use street dance as a form of physical education.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNFYGwFIcGU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTo2p3F_v8

CONVENTIONS I WILL USEVoice of God didacticismThis uses the direct address style of an authoritative voice over narration to

explain the images: the meaning of the pictures that we see is anchored by the explanation given by the narrator. Nature documentaries are typical of this style.

Cinema veriteThis style gives the impression of directly portraying reality by using hand-held

cameras which often wobble and the voice over narration is dispensed with in favour of allowing viewers to make their own interpretation of what they see and hear.

String of interviewsThis uses the direct address of people talking to the camera about their own

experiences.Self reflexiveThis draws attention to its mode of construction. These kinds of documentary

are almost a comment on all the others -- they make the business of mediation obvious and give alternative views that go against the general representation in the programme.

MUSIC