Team - Documentary

 

This my team that we form up to be for our documentary project in this term 1. I choose them because we share the same vision and ideologies in our future projects. Rania is the one with the best idea and concept, Satria with the best storyboarding and finding information while Nadine the best in scriptwriting.

Link to my teammate’s blogs

Nadine - https://nadinedivamudjeshty.blogspot.com/

Rania - https://raniasurimulyadi.blogspot.com/

Satria - https://satriamediastudies.blogspot.com/

Research - Documentary

 Here is the research of my documentary

1. Making A Murderer 2018 season 1 episode 1

The documentary falls into expository documentary where most of the episode only shows a clip about an American guy (Steven) who got arrested for 18 years for the crime that he didn't commit. After he got released, he filed a lawsuit against the police officers but he got arrested. The documentary sub genre is crime investigation where it's supported by the convections of crime documentary of having police/sheriff being represented as the negative person in the society since they are the one who arrested steven, the interview clip. The demanded audience would be appealing to people who heard the news about Steven Avery released for the crime he did not commit, people who curious about what actually happened are likely to watch the documentary, older people who interested in serious case or news. The sheriff was represented as a negative person as the narrator is being biased.

2. Life In a Day 2020

The documentary falls into poetic and observational. The documentary is about 324,000 people were asked to record themself everyday. The documentary opens with showing the beginning of the life or new life such as people waking up showing new days ahead and a mother giving birth. The documentary represents that every people around the world are happy when they have their new born child. The doctor also shows excitement where it really represents happiness. The genre convections is the shaky/handheld camera which provide mundane realism to audience to be able to give empathy. The targeted audience is adults from all over the world as the documentary represents every nation as much as possible. and The secondary audience might be children where children might be curious about what is like to live in 2010s era. 

3. Gordon Ramsay Uncharted 2021 season 2 episode 2

The documentary falls into observational documentary. There are lots of established shots showing the rain forest, vast volcanic volcano and lots of nature that represents travel documentary. Lots of close up shots with slow motion to display various foods and culture which the main convection of food documentary. The documentary is about Gordon Ramsay exploring around West Sumatra. Another convection is shot a pan tossing with fire with medium close shot represents food documentary. . The documentary represents Sumatran people as kind and delightful in society. The Sumatran woman also subverts the general representation of woman in general where Sumatran woman can carry 4 trays just by laying them in their head. Indonesia is being represented as diverse in cultural. The targeted audience is people who watch master chef in general where if they know that Gordon Ramsay have a documentary audience of Master Chef would be likely to find out what Gordon Ramsay's documentary about. Another demanded audience would be people all over the world who is curious about Indonesia.

4. The Last Dance 2020 Season 1 Episode 1

The docuseries sport convey Michael Jordan's iconic basketball journey especially on how he accomplished to achieve 5 NBA Championship including his inside and outside routine which presenting the heartwarming sensation to audience. From the opening the documentary is likely to be categorize as Poetic documentary as we will see lots of emotional moment through out the episode as it's about winning an important championship. The documentary consists of archival footage, behind-the-scenes clips, and contemporary interviews of the coaches staff, Chicago Bulls players, and manager of the franchise. The demanded audience includes sports enthusiasts, basketball fans, and individuals interested in the history of iconic sports teams and athletes. The players are represented as though person, harsh yet thrilling when they enters the court but in the locker room they are the opposites.

5. Catching Killers Season 1 Episode 1

The first episode of "Catching Killers" likely delves into the complex world of criminal investigations and the methods used to track down and apprehend perpetrators of violent crimes. The episode may focus on a particular case and provide insights into how law enforcement professionals employ various techniques to solve complex criminal mysteries. The documentary conveys meaning by using a mix of visuals, including crime scene reenactments, interviews with law enforcement officials, and footage from actual investigations. The sheriff is being represented as positive as in the interview he was showing some commitment .The narrator's tone is likely to be serious and informative. This documentary may appeal to a demographic that enjoys understanding the strategies and tactics employed by law enforcement to catch criminals. 

6. Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer 2021 Season 1 Episode 1

The first episode of "Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer" introduces the audience to the terrifying case of the Night Stalker, a notorious serial killer and rapist who terrorized Southern California in the 1980s. The episode outlines the initial crimes committed by the Night Stalker, the panic that gripped the community, and the beginning of the investigation. The documentary uses archival footage, crime scene photographs, interviews, and reenactments. This documentary is likely to appeal to a demographic that is fascinated by suspenseful and chilling narratives centered around criminal cases.

7. American Vandal 2017 Season 1 Episode 1

American Vandal is a mockumentary/true crime directed by Tony Yacenda. The first episode of "American Vandal" introduces viewers to a comedic mockumentary-style series that satirizes true crime documentaries. The episode kicks off with a high school prank involving spray-painted phallic symbols on faculty cars. As an aspiring filmmaker investigates the case, the episode humorously parodies the true crime genre while exploring the mystery behind the incident.

Media Language

The cinematography mimics the visual style of true crime documentaries, including handheld shots, interviews, reenactments, and footage from different sources (news, social media). The camera work is deliberately designed to replicate the investigative and documentary aesthetic, contributing with the element of parody. The editing pace maintains the feel of a true crime documentary, with deliberate cuts and pauses that reflect the genre's characteristic storytelling. The director cleverly uses editing to approaching serious investigative tropes with the absurdity of the subject matter. The non-diegetic soundtrack and music background contribute to the comedic tone of the episode. The addition of non-diegetic sounds of cameras clicking whenever pictures of the vandals help in the exaggeration effect of the crime. Music cues and background score align with the documentary style, but also add an element of satire, highlighting the contrast between the serious tone and the ridiculous nature of the investigation. The narrator's tone is serious and investigative, in line with true crime documentaries. However, the content and dialogue subvert this tone, often resulting in humorous and absurd commentary on the events. This contrast creates a comedic effect. The narrator uses lots of rhetoric question to engage audience and provoke audience opinion. The episode uses interviews and recorded conversations to build the narrative, as is typical in the true crime genre. However, the content of the interviews and the absurdity of the subject matter contribute to the comedic element of the series.

Audience

The intended audience for "American Vandal" includes viewers who enjoy satire, true crime documentaries, and comedy as the cast in American Vandal are humorous, childish, yet dilapidated. This may appeal to a younger demographic, particularly those familiar with true crime trends and the conventions of the genre, including high school and college students, due to its relatable high school setting and humour. Individuals who appreciate witty commentary on popular culture and high school dynamics may also find the series engaging. The cast of the show represent quiet various ethnicity accurately representing the modern American high school. This allows people around the world relates to the casts.

Genre convection

By avoiding an overly serious tone and embracing humour, "American Vandal" effectively follows the conventions of both satirical mockumentaries and real crime documentaries. The show presents an engaging criminal narrative that captures the audience's attention. The inclusion of a narrator, a pivotal element in many true crime documentaries, provides constant comments and keeps viewers on track throughout the episodes. Unlike typical serious crimes explored in most real crime documentaries, the offenses depicted in "American Vandal" are notably less severe and often appear extremely absurd, aligning more with the expectations of the sub-genre.

Media Representation

The central focus of "American Vandal" revolves around a Caucasian teenage boy who displays mischievous behaviour. This young man, along with his group of friends who are in their final year of high school, takes center stage in the narrative. The protagonist and his mischievous companions embody the stereotypical traits often associated with troublesome adolescents. These traits include casual conversations, a blatant disregard for authority, substance use, class skipping, and an overall lifestyle marked by negativity. The show's creators leverage the often absurd and outrageous actions of this group to enhance the comedic aspect of the series.

Interestingly, the show's producers depict these characters in a manner that underscores their problematic nature. This portrayal, far from diminishing the show's appeal, actually amplifies its allure among younger viewers. Moreover, the series incorporates various stereotypes commonly associated with typical high school archetypes, such as the studious nerds, athletic jocks, and other recognizable groups. Notably, the cast extends beyond white teenagers, featuring characters from diverse racial backgrounds, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians, who assume some of these roles.

8. The Rain Coat Killer 2021 Season 1 Episode 1 

The Rain Coat Killer is a True Crime/Criminal Investigation directed by Rob Sixsmith. The first episode of "Rain Coat Killer" introduces the audience to a real-life crime case involving a mysterious serial killer. The documentary investigates the heinous crimes committed by this elusive figure and aims to shed light on the investigation process, providing insights from law enforcement officials and experts.

Media Language

The documentary employs a mix of visual techniques, including crime scene reenactments, interviews, and archival footage. The camera work such as close shots, medium shots emphasize the details of the case, showcasing evidence and locations, while shots of experts and investigators contribute to the documentary's credibility. The pace of the documentary is deliberate, allowing viewers to absorb the details of the case and investigation. Editing choices such as fast cut, L cut, Jump cut, Montage and Cutting on Action are designed to maintain suspense and keep the audience engaged. The use of visual effects is minimal, emphasizing a realistic portrayal of the events. The soundtrack consists of tension-building music that complements the suspenseful tone of the documentary. Music is strategically used to heighten the emotional impact of key moments and create a sense of unease, mirroring the gravity of the crimes. The narrator's tone is gloomy and serious, reflecting the gravity of the crimes being discussed. The narration provides context, guiding the audience through the intricate details of the case and the investigation process. Interviews with law enforcement officials, forensic experts, and psychologists provide valuable insights into the criminal investigation process and the psychology of the killer. Direct testimonials and soundbites from these experts contribute to the documentary's credibility and depth. The filmmaker's purpose is to engage audiences with a suspenseful narrative while highlighting the dedication of law enforcement professionals who tirelessly work to bring justice to victims and their families. 

Audience

The intended audience for "Rain Coat Killer" includes individuals interested in true crime stories, criminal investigations, and psychology. This may appeal to a demographic that enjoys suspenseful narratives and is intrigued by the workings of law enforcement and criminal minds.

Genre Convections

The stereotypical True Crime Documentary was displayed by the documentary trying to uncover the serial killer. 

Weekly Plan - Documentary

 Week 2

Today we do a small analysis on 3 documentaries and we were being explained by our nicest teacher about what is the project about, the timeline for the project and the rubric for the project. I am very excited to finish the project 

Week 3

This week we started with  another 2 big analysis and research on how to make a good documentary. I also make a group and still half way to finish my research. I'm hoping to make a plan next week in terms of the timeline of the project. I am hoping to finish my research before next week.

Week 4 

We took some time on researching our target audience and organizing the blog. I had a Debate with one of my partner about the genre where at first I preferred mockumentary but my partner said that it's better to do about eating disorder. I finally agree to my partner's idea as doing mockumentary may be riskier that eating disorder mockumentary. Hence, really diving deeper into our topic and researching facts and cases we want to input into our blog. 

To do:

Storyboard 

Concept Board

Collecting clips

Script 

Week 5

Today Me and my group discuss about the title ideas and having a quite long argument on deciding the title. I also did some storyboards. The rest did the statement of intent. We also discuss further on what are the best way to start our documentary. We put our heads together and synchronize our idea on the title and finally finish in deciding the title. For the next week we gonna focus on the storyboard

Week 6

In this week me and my group finished the storyboard and halfway through the script, we also update our development and we finalised our title "What The Food"
Problem: Deciding the duration of every shot in the scene, trying to ask people for the interview scene for our documentary project, beside that trying to find a filming schedule.
Solution: We decided our duration by matching the camera shot and the idea of the scene. We share our free time schedule to gather every group member up.

To do: 

Screenplay

Thumbnail

Finish shotting

Shooting Schedule:

Monday (28/08 ‘23) — Muti & Mr. Bram

Tuesday (28/08 ‘23) — Alden/Hanly & Ms. Anita

Monday, 28 August: Interview

Tuesday 29 August: Interview

Wednesday, 30 August: Voiceover/narration

Thursday, 31 August: Start editing

Week 7

This week, we finished 90% of filming and have just started editing. The script has a few changes to be revised and everyone’s creating their own version for the thumbnails which we will finalize next week. We are proud of the progress that we made and we just need to weave our research and development to finish the final piece however at the rate we are going it would not be as much of a problem. 

Problem: One of our members had his phone confiscated while we were trying to sync the video clips and the voice recording which set us back for a bit. We sorted out the problem however and resumed back into our plan. I ran into problems as well during thumbnail development as I had forgotten to bring my laptop a couple times which didn’t allow me to screenshot the thumbnails I planned to include in my research. 

Solution: We made sure to avoid the phone confiscation problem and made sure to share any videos, photos or voice recording we might need right away. I also made sure to add reminders to bring my laptop to avoid the problem and just in case it happens, I plan to draw anything I want to screenshot. 

To do list:

Finish editing 

Finish Photoshot

Finish critical Self Reflection

Finalise Thumbnail

Week 8

This week we finish our filming and already finish around 80% of editing where this week I will focuses on dealing with lots of revision from our nicest teacher. Rania did some questionaires about the title for our documentary to proof my point and their opinion about the thumbnail draft for which one is the best. 

Problem: our very conflicting schedule where it is hard to gather up for shooting. 

Solution: one of has to sacrifice to finish the shooting so the project can gone well. We also decided to changed our title as we want the title to be more connecting to our content about eating Disorder as I personally think that What The Food doesn't sounds like a health documentary elements. Employing Hanly another fitness enthusiast to fill in Alden’s role would be time saving as we won’t be losing time waiting and with that we’ve finished filming! 

To Do List:

Finish Photoshot for Thumbnail

Finish Editing until I went insane 

Finalise Critical Self Reflection

Week 9

This week we started editing and focus on revising the work by asking my member's opinion so we would produces decent documentary. We also start editing thumbnail

Problem: As we didn't much of the template that we saw we decided to throw.

Solution: we used an online software and drawing tablet to draw from sratch

Week 10

This week will be our deadline date for our project. We focused on defining the blog as well as performing some qualitative check on our final product. There were some scenes in the doc that had to be cleared up but overall we are looking at 90% done before going to my media teacher to double check the work. 

Brief - Documentary