A2 Media Studies evaluation: Moana Schischka 1.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
For our media product we were given a brief to complete a main task; being the opening 5 minutes of a TV documentary of our own topic choice and two ancillary tasks; being a radio trailer and a double page spread for a TV listings magazine that were designed to help advertise and promote our documentary. As it was only the first 5 minutes of a documentary and not the whole thing, we were able to include a small range of fast paced conventional aspects of a documentary. This included vox pops, interviews, establishing shots, our own music and a consistent voiceover. By using these various conventions of a documentary, our main aim was to capture the audiences attention. 5 Minute Documentary clip: To follow the generic conventions of a TV documentary, we had to make sure we
Informed the audience about a topic that affects themselves or the world in which they live in Conveyed their peers opinions in a diplomatic, yet entertaining manner Included interviews with professionals Had an endearing voiceover that would allow them to develop their own opinions without being biased Had a narrative structure that is easy and simple to follow (Linear)

After discussing subjects that would create an impact on the audience, our group decided on CCTV as the documentarys topic. Due to the theme being serious and political we had to make sure both arguments for and against were conveyed in an unbiased manner. However, before deciding on what type of documentary we were going to create, we explored the documentary modes that Bill Nicholls (2001) presented to filmmakers. He identified six different modes for Documentaries: Poetic, Expository, Observational, Participatory, Performative and Reflexive. The poetic mode is whereby the film portrays more subjective interpretations of its main subject and where rather than focusing on displaying acts of persuasion or knowledge, stresses mood and tone.

The expository mode addresses the viewer directly with titles or voiceovers and often uses an account of history. The observational mode is where it allows the audience to observe without a voiceover or additional titles. Its a mode of documentary filmmaking that allows the audience to form their own opinion, without the influence of a critical voiceover, which are most often one sided. Moreover, the style of the Documentary is often fly-on-the-wall. An example of a fly on the wall documentary would be one directed by Charlotte Zwerin and the Maysles Brothers in 1970 following The Rolling Stones around during their first tour; Gimmer Shelter. It has no voiceover and occasionally shows footage of them viewing and editing scenes of themselves that have been filmed.

The participatory mode is whereby filmmakers often move from behind the camera and appear as subjects within their own movie. This givies the filmmaker a chance to openly discuss his/her perspective in regards to the film being made. The performative mode is one often confused with the participatory mode as they appear very similar. However, the performative mode is where the filmmaker is directly involved with the documentary topic and where their stories are followed and personal opinions are conveyed. An example of the performative mode would be the well-known documentary Super-Size Me directed by Morgan Spurlock. As Spurlock himself starred in the documentary throughout acting as a guinea pig to a McDonalds binge, this makes the documentary performative as the main subject of the documentary was his story.

Lastly, the reflexive mode attempts to de-mystify the art of making a documentary where the audience is subjected to certain way of viewing the documentary. Our Documentary: To Protect or To Pry uses a consistent voiceover throughout to give the audience a Linear narrative structure, which whilst speaking directly to the spectator, offers them relevant information and explanations. When using our voiceover, we wanted to make sure that we werent directly persuading an audience to a certain side of for or against CCTV, instead we made sure that we presented facts and opinions which were equal on both sides of the argument. Furthermore, via the use of interviews with experts, it gave the audience a chance to listen to the facts and professional opinions about our topic. With the use of music which was added during editing, we tried to ensure it created an interactive and memorable effect on the spectator, it also helped to keep the audience engaged as it had an exciting and relevant beat to our topic. As our documentary had to be able to be aired on a mainstream TV channel, we had to make sure all aspects of our documentary were conventional. To ensure this, we researched into similar documentaries such as the BBCs Modern Spies and Henry Porters Suspect Nation. What we found was that although CCTV itself was a main topic of public interest, so far there were no documentaries that ventured into exploring just CCTV on its own, instead we found most documentaries focused on surveillance and the scandals within it, such as phone tapping and identity cards. After watching these documentaries and gathering visual information from them, we noticed specific methods used by the directors that helped to maintain the audiences attention. This included: Close up shots Extreme close up shots Establishing shots Group shots/ two shot for Vox Pops

 Handheld camera if its used for a rushed part of the documentary

From viewing the conventions through other Documentaries, to film in a similar style, we had to use a tripod and if possible, often film without to emphasize on the point that CCTV is often classed as a Peeping Tom device. We were able to do this for the start of our Documentary, where we took 4 separate shots and focused on the angle of a CCTV camera would be in, and filmed places that would normally be watched by contractors who control CCTV usually. For our expert interviews, we were able to use a tripod which made the shot steady and properly framed. This enabled it to appear professional. Below you can recognise the similarity between expert interviews framing and the way the interviewee looks into empty space, which again is a generic convention used throughout most televised documentaries. You can also notice in background of both shots there are books, folders and stationary, representing our interviewees profession through mise en scene (props).

Our documentary (left) and Supersize Me (right).

The tripod also enabled us to convey skills such as panning, zooming and tracking. We used panning when establishing the environment of our expert interviews and zooming when focusing on an important shot, which overall helped to create a dramatic effect. Another technique we were able to convey was the use of an altered out of focus shot; allowing us to display a type writer text over the top of the shot, the type writer was used to keep our use of type writer (used in the beginning and ending) consistent. When watching other various documentaries we noticed the use of an out of focus shot was very common, making our documentary similar, helping our media product to appear professional. After gathering the footage for our documentary we began editing in Final Cut Express; a programme which enabled us to combine all shots and clips as a running motion. Whilst editing we kept referring back to Supersize Me to see what effects made the most impact on us. We recognised the frequent use of fade ins and outs. However, one of the most memorable special effects was the use of the flag pin points( with the McDonalds logo on) that appeared directly over the map of the world; representing McDonalds vast impact. Picking up on this, we decided we would create a similar motion, instead using small CCTV cameras appearing over the map of the UK.

Another important aspect of our documentary was sound. To follow typical conventions of televised documentaries, it involved us using background music, the voiceover, hyperbolic sound and non diegetic sound. As we had to use non copyrighted music we found a website called free play music, we then listened to a variety of them and decided on a tune that reflected our documentary topic best. It

consisted of an up- beat song that was guaranteed to keep the audiences attention. The use of the voiceover was decided after recognising the different use of narration in other documentaries for example Henry Porter being the presenter in Suspect Nation. Although this was effective, we believed using a presenter tended to sway to a one sided argument, in conclusion we thought the use of a voiceover helped convey both sides of the argument well and engage the spectator, helping them to form their own opinion. Magazine article/ double page spread: When researching into what TV listings magazine would be most appropriate we first gathered different magazines including Whats on TV, TV Choice, TV&Satellite and Radio Times and browsed through them recognising what articles were most common within them. What we found was that for our documentary to be seen by the correct target audience, the Radio Times would be most suitable as it included articles of a serious nature, rather than the other TV listings magazines that contained articles mostly surrounding a fictional matter and stories of the soap genre.

The next thing we decided to do was annotate a couple of Radio Times double page spreads and highlight the most important features that we would follow and use in ours. After doing this, it allowed us to apply our knowledge of what content was most relevant to allow it to look official and professional.

The masthead was used to highlight the documentary topic. With effects we added a shadow to make it stand out

We used the by line, Behind The Scenes as we noticed through annotation of Radio Times spreads that it was used when advertising the programme they recommend the most, this allows our documentary to be well promoted

The use of the main images acts as the main attraction for the audience as the stand out

We used the Drop Cap to follow main convention of a spread, it also helped make the article stand out As all Radio Times pages had the Radio Times logo and date of publishing, we decided to include it to follow the main conventions of a typical Radio Times spread

Also using an image of a CCTV camera that appears 3D creates awareness for the audience that CCTV cameras are watching you

The page number was included to allow the reader to find the page easy from the contents page

We included a frame to provide the information of the documentary and the time and date it would be scheduled

Radio Trailer: Before making our radio trailer, we carried out research into similar adverts that were broadcasted onto radio. After listening to a variety through stations such as Capital FM and Free Radio, we picked out the main attractions from the trails and what gained our attention most. This helped us to focus on what we should include. It also helped us decide what radio station was most suited for advertising our documentary. We came to the conclusion that Capital FM was best as it reached a wide range of ages and was most popular when asking students around college.

To make our radio trailer appeal to our target audience of 24-50 year olds, we had to make the radio trailer seem mature. We did so by including the majority of the vox pops and interviews we collected, and placing them consecutively after one another so they overlapped slightly, because the audience would hear a range of opinions it would highlight the importance of the topic, therefore appealing to them and making them want to watch it. To end our radio trailer we included a males voice to inform the audience of the scheduling of the document as in real radio trailers this feature is commonly used to end a radio trail. Using the males voice created a dominant effect on the audience and therefore stood out to them, making it memorable. After listening to many radio trailers advertising TV shows, we found that the majority of trails lasted around 30-50 seconds. From this we made sure it lasted around that time and included enough detail to inform the audience properly, but also not too long that it would dissuade the audience. Our radio trailer lasted 36 seconds and created the impact we intended it to (to make the audience want to watch it).

In conclusion, throughout completing our media products we made sure that we stuck to using main conventions as it helped present our products in a professional manner. However, when attempting to include expert interviews from professionals such as those within the police force, and in the solicitor/lawyer profession like Morgan Spurlock included those within the profession of medicine (doctors and GPs) in his documentary, we found it extremely difficult as they were limited in what they were able to say due to the risk of portraying their personal opinion rather than professional opinion.

2. How effective is the combination of your main product

and ancillary texts?

As well as creating the documentary, we designed our ancillary tasks with the main intention of standing out to our target audience and attracting them to watch our documentary. Because of the choice of our topic: CCTV, we decided to aim our media products at the target audience of unisex 24-50 year olds that intended to educate themselves on controversial topics. As our topic allows either a for or against opinion, it gives our spectators the chance to debate with one another or even share a conversation about their similar attitudes towards CCTV. Because everyone will have an opinion surrounding this topic, our media products can in fact appeal to a broad audience rather than just a niche audience. Also, as we scheduled our documentary to appear at 8.00pm the main audience for the documentary was young adults and seniors. Again, due to our topic being so relatable for most people as CCTV watches over everyone, we didnt decide on one particular social class and instead aimed it at all social classes. As our products were all of different media types, we had to ensure we used similar or the same features in all of them to help combine them all and keep all data within them relevant. We did so in the following ways: In our radio trailer we used short auditory clips from the interviews and vox pops used in our documentary; this provided a sort of teaser for the audience and gave them a sense of what the content of the documentary involved. We also used the same music as heard in the documentary, keeping the theme consistent and ensuring that both the documentary and radio trailer complimented each other and combined together very effectively. Again our radio trailer helped massively to appeal to our main target audience as we chose to broadcast it onto Capital FM; a radio station reaching over 7 million people each week, mainly within the target audience of 15-24 year olds, helping us promote

our documentary to at least 50% of our intended target audience (mainly the younger side) leaving the Radio Times to attract the more mature audience of 24-50 years olds, through our double page spread. Allowing both ancillary tasks to successfully entice most of the target audience and relate directly to the documentary. On both our radio trailer and double page spread, we advertise the scheduling of the documentary, we do so via a male voice announcing it at the end of the trailer and in a frame on the double page spread, due to this, we are informing our audience in a noticeable way and therefore increasing the chance of them watching our documentary, which overall is really effective in the combination of them all. For a spectator to have seen images from within the article to then see them in the documentary will help them refer back to the other detailed information that was written in the article, proving the still shots used on the double page spread a great feature. As it was a visual feature that stood out straight away to the audience it promoted the documentary effectively, combining both of the tasks extremely well. Compared to the colloquial language we used in our radio trailer, we made sure we followed the language used in radio times articles, which was generally very formal, so to relate to the reserved listings magazine, we kept our text formal yet modern. Again, attracting the more mature section of our target audience. And when comparing the language spoken in the documentary and the radio trailer to the language written in the article they both sound similar, therefore combining all tasks successfully, helping us achieve the main intentions of each task. Overall, the combination of both ancillary tasks with the documentary itself was very effective as they were both used to promote the documentary and entice all of our target audience. Due to purposely used features in both ancillary tasks that related to the documentary, I believe the intentions of advertising successfully were properly fulfilled.
3. 4. 5.

6.

3. What was learnt from your audience feedback?

Before deciding on the content we wanted to put in the documentary, we knew it was vital to focus mainly on the needs of our target audience, prompting us to design a questionnaire to gather data on exactly what our intended audience wanted, leading us to learn exactly what was needed to attract and entice an audience to watch it. Post production, we then designed another questionnaire that gathered information on how successful or not so that we were in producing all tasks. We split our questionnaire into three sections for the audience of our media studies class to complete; the documentary, the radio trailer and the double page spread. When gathering the information gained from the documentary section of our questionnaire, we focused on sound, information within the documentary and variety of shots. Below is a graph showing the results from questions relating to the background music and the sound levels.
Do you believe the background music is relevant to the topic of CCTV?
No 0 27% Yes Amount of People 5 10 15 15 7% 13% 20% 33%

On a Scale of 1-10, how consistent are the sound levels throughout?

Scale No 5 Scale No 6 Scale No 7 Scale No 8 Scale No 9 20

From these results, we learnt that throughout editing we were successful when deciding the background music as it appeared to please the audience. The graph also shows that our sound levels are very reasonable with the highest rated scale being 9, meaning the levels were overall very well controlled. This was very good for us to hear as during editing sound was one of the aspects that took a lot of time and effort to control properly and to ensure consistency throughout. One of the main questions that we hoped to receive positive feedback on was the question concerning our documentary on a whole. We asked

the students in our media class what they rated our documentary on a scale of 1-10. Below is a graph showing the results gained. Overall, on a scale of 1-10, how would you rate our documentary?
12 10 Scale of 1-10 8 6 4 2 0 Scale No. Response 1 1 0 2 2 0 3 3 0 4 4 0 5 5 0 6 6 0 7 7 4 8 8 6 9 9 3 10 10 2

Although the feedback we received was mostly positive, we recognised that if we had a chance again to improve aspects of it, sound would definitely be a main one as throughout the documentary it remains the most important and when watching it over, there are some scenes where the sound sounds slightly overpowering, drawing away the audiences attention on the particular shots being shown. We then gathered results from the radio trailer and how effective the use of sound levels, musical genre was to make the intention of advertising it successful. Below are the results collated.
Does the Radio Trailer make you want to watch the Documentary?
Are the sound levels easy enough to hear?

20 15 10 5 0 YES NO

10

7%

Does the music suit the genre of the topic?

5 93% yes no

YES

NO
0

Although there were some negative results from some questions, for example the sound levels, which in all were very important as it was intended to be broadcast for the main intention of advertising the documentary rather than putting off viewers, we did receive some very positive feedback from our open questions. There were statements including I enjoyed the overlapping of music, it made it seem really interesting and made me want to know more about the topic that helped keep our confidence in the radio trailer to promote the documentary. From receiving these results about the radio trailer we learnt that as an ancillary task it was very successful in promoting the documentary which we saw from the feedback from due to the question does the radio trailer make you want to watch the documentary. Audience feedback from the questions relating to the double page spread were overall very positive teaching us that the choices made during designing it were very successful and fulfilled its intentions of advertising the documentary in a positive way. Below are graphs showing some results from the audience feedback we received from our media studies class. Our first and most important question asked was is our DPS similar to ones you would find in a Radio Times magazine? Because we wanted to gain feedback as to whether it followed the main conventions used in our chosen TV listings magazine, this question was essential. And it showed us that our magazine article would have been a perfect double page spread needed to advertise the documentary successfully.
Is our DPS similar to ones you would find in a 'Radio Times' magazine?

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 YES NO

Amount of People

We also asked are the images in the double page spread relevant to the topic of CCTV which again was another very important question as the pictures are one of the main attractions for persuading the audience to watch.

Are the images in the DPS relevant to the topic of CCTV?

20 15 10 5 0 YES NO 20 15 10 5 0

If you were flicking through the magazine, would this article grab your attention?

YES

NO

As we intended to grab the audiences attention, we wanted to see whether if they were flicking through the magazine that the article grabbed their attention. Again the feedback we gained from this was very positive and taught us that the features including; images, masthead and drop caps really heightened the gaze of the spectator. Throughout receiving the feedback we gained both a range of positive and negative results, which was expected. However repetitive negative comments about the sound were made, voicing that the levels of sound and the consistency was something we couldve improved. Overall, we were all very pleased with the comments and results we received as it placed confidence in ourselves that the work we did was up to a high standard and most features in all media texts were either satisfactory, good or great.

4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages? Research:
Throughout the research and planning of our media products, the use of media technologies such as the use of websites such a Google, YouTube, BBC iplayer and ITV player played a massive part in finding the relevant information and key conventions that would help our product appear professional and conventional. One of the first things we did was research CCTV as a topic. This involved using the search engine Google, which helped us find links to websites providing us with definitions, arguments for and against and appropriate images.

This helped massively as all of our group members werent completely certain of the extent to which CCTV is used around the UK, and when using Google, the research we found actually shocked us, keeping it interesting for us and the audience. We then decided wed use YouTube as a forms of finding similar documentaries, although there werent any documentaries focusing on just CCTV on its own, we found documentaries that were based on surveillance. Which contributed to the decision of what content was most important to include and what wasnt. Using the World Wide Web we also had access to sites such as The Guardian, The Sun, The Daily Mail and much more, meaning we were able to use their search engines to look for articles relating to our topic of CCTV. This proved successful when we were able to use some of the facts and figures found in our documentary. This led us to use Microsoft PowerPoint as a way of mind mapping our initial ideas so that we were able to upload our PowerPoint onto blogger when we had finished.

Blogger: a site used for blogging a variety of texts including; word documents, images and videos, became a main way of publishing our progression of research and planning and helped us refer back to previous information gathered once needed in construction.

Planning:
When we got to the stage of planning, we started to discuss the different ways of getting the content together. The first thing we did was designed a film schedule to make sure we kept to a strict schedule of what and when we were filming. We designed it around our storyboards which we also designed for planning.

Because of the use of expensive and fragile equipment and the fact we were filming off college site, we had to make sure we completed a student risk assessment beforehand. This presented us with the possible problems we could enquire and how to deal with them sensibly. This was designed using Microsoft word, another media technology that helped us fulfill our intentions.

Filming:
Once we were able to film and had completed all tasks in research and planning, we began using our time in lessons to take out the equipment. To record the footage we needed, we used; A Canon HG20 Camera, with a focal zoom, allowing us to film certain shots easily. The camera itself was easy enough to use and was light enough to carry around to our different locations. A tripod, which was used for almost every shot, including our: close up shots, zooms, vox pops and interviews. It ensured the shot was steady and professional looking. It also allowed us to film a few shots that were difficult to shoot handheld due to the angles. Although it was sometimes difficult to carry

around to our off site locations, it was perfect for ensuring near enough perfection. A set of headphones and a microphone: used for recording and hearing our possible vox pops and interviews. When recording the vox pops and interviews, the use of both the headphones and the microphone allowed us to hear whether the sound levels were okay.

Editing:
After all sessions of filming, there was a procedure we had to follow to ensure all footage was uploaded correctly onto the Mac we were assigned to. To do this, we used a USB connection lead to connect the camera to the Mac, we then opened up the folder they were in on the camera and copy and pasted them into our group folder. After doing so, we used Final Cut Express a programme for editing and combining to log and transfer the footage into the correct sequence. When all the clips had been imported into the sequence, we were able to begin editing using the tools on FCE. This included trimming the clips, modifying the speed, adding a special effect or even using text over a shot. Because we needed to add a voiceover and also background music to the clips, we often slowed down certain clips to allow the motion to run smoothly and follow a mellow pace. To change this we used modify and then selected the certain percentage of speed we wanted it to run. During editing, sound was also one of the main features that needed special attention. This was sometimes due to the location the footage was in (car noises, wind etc) or even the voice levels of the people involved. To improve this, we used the razor blade tool that allowed

us to cut the clip in half and discover where the sound levels dipped or rose. For our opening scene we used a visual clip of white noise fuzz as a backdrop to our title To Protect or To Pry which we then edited to make appear in a type writer style text. Throughout the documentary we then kept the same type writer text consistent, making it appear neat. Because all of the clips were appearing consecutively after one another, we had to make sure the motion was flowing properly without the sudden change of clip. To ensure this didnt happen, we used the same cross dissolve transition after all clips. After all the cutting and transitioning has been completed we started recording our voiceover with the microphone and headphones provided. We then logged and transferred them in the exact same way we did the clips, to which we then added them to the timeline in the correct places. After adding the voiceover, we found the background music we wanted from a non copyrighted music website called FreePlay and we then downloaded that as an MP3 to drag and drop onto the sequence as well. We ensured the sound levels were adequate and made sure it didnt overpower the voiceover at any points throughout the clip. For the Radio Trailer, we used Final Cut Express to collate the relevant clips so that they effectively overlapped one another; creating a forceful nature on the audience, which overall complimented the topic of the documentary as it appealed to be urgent and important. We imported the background music as an MP3 for the radio trailer as we did for the documentary, which kept the theme consistent and recognizable for the audience. Because we has previously used FCE to create the documentary and also previous work creating a radio trailer at AS, we had enough experience to ensure the procedure was easy and straight forward.

When producing the magazine article, the use of media technologies was also very important. As we used a range of media technologies including the internet, a camera and also a programme called In Design to complete all; research, planning and construction of the magazine article In preparation for creating our double page spread, we used the camera to take pictures of relevant images relating to our document. We then typed up the article text using Microsoft word and then through In Design, created a double page spread. To make our double page spread appear professional and similar to other articles in our set TV listings magazine Radio Times we had to ensure the text was formatted in columns, which was not only a convention of magazine but for formal articles of a serious topic. We did this by using the column tool, which enable us to split the text up correctly and allow space for images and the masthead. To make our text appear more along the lines of other articles, we included a drop cap. We did this by increasing the size of the text of the one beginning letter. After arranging the text, we added in images around the text in appropriate places that would stand out to the audience. For adding images, we used the box tool to ensure the image wasnt distorted and that it was proportionally sized, we then inserted the image we wanted into the box and adjusted it using fit picture to frame. Because we wanted to follow a consistent pattern of colour scheme, we changed the Behind the scenes text to red, which was simple to do using the text tools on In Design. This made it easier for the audience to notice and implied they were seeing explicit information about the documentary. After all tasks had been completed (the main task and both ancillary tasks) the only task to complete was uploading them to appropriate sites to enable us to upload them for easy viewing on blogger. This consisted

of uploading the documentary to YouTube, to then embedding the html code into a post onto Blogger.

We then converted our radio trailer to MP3 and uploaded it using SoundCloud, to which we could then embed the track onto blogger. Which made it easier for our audience to listen to, in a way they could pause it whenever they wanted and select any position in the clip they wanted too.

As for the Double page spread, that involved converting it into a PDF document, to then converting it as a JPEG file. This then allowed us to upload it as an image onto blogger. Overall, without using media technologies the work we needed to complete would have been impossible to complete. However with the help of internet sites, equipment and programmes, we were able to design and construct our media products to the best of our ability, with the relevant information to fulfill its intentions.