Research- Audiences and Their Engagements with Social Issue Documentaries

This blog is going to investigate how audiences engage with social issue documentaries compared to other programmes and film genres. Aim of this research is to see what the engagement is with audiences and watching social issue documentaries, this research helping in backing up points made into the subject paragaph and giving examples for a better understanding.

Although there isn’t a full screenshot of documentaries it is a chance to compare the social issue documentary to other programmes and other film genres. To start with within a seven day period within May there is two big documentaries that are watched, the highest being Winston Churchill: a giant of the century with 19,000 watching within that week alone while the Amanda Knox: crimes of the century go 10,000 views within the same week too. Meaning many more people are interested within the historical side of documentaries with Winston Churchill documentary but also criminal side to life with many probably finding things like this intriguing. A natural disatser documentary like “hurricane sandy: the storm that shook America” roughly pulling aroun 4000 views but is an older event that many may of forgotten. Compared to other programmes within this screenshot, that is showcasing history based programmes/documentaries, there is higher numbers which could mean they are looking to gain understanding or knowledge like said by theorist Bill Nichols.

To add onto the above screenshot this screnshot below showcases a different time of the month within 2018 and seperate week to see the range within the history topic. Tony Robinso’s World War I is a documentary but split up into parts that airs every week so that audiences aren’t being bombarded by information for hours on end. Overall, there was roughly 30,000 people who watched the documentary within the last and first week of June and July. There seems to be some interest within the history of both World Wars and criminal type documentaries so far. Off the rails is there twice which could either mean it was aired twice within the same week or a mistake but either way there is 12,000 people who watched within the week, suggesting audiences may have preferences towards what they want to watch but others may investigate. Like previously there is a range of documentaries within this screenshot but there are more episode based when many rather it all in one but in this case the common one is about the war and was watched highly three times within the same week of July.

To get a more direct analysis on the engagement of audiences to social issue documentary I looked into this “UKTV Documentary” option which gave these options. Most of the subjects into this documentary is about the planet but also solar system meaning many have an interest with what is out there within the solar system which suggests the audience was trying to gain knowledge on these subjects. All these documentaries have over 10,000 within the seven days of the airing with chasing Pluto being the best watched within 10th-16th of September week.

To get a wider idea of the types of documentaries being watched I also looked into this +1 option which shows alot more nature documentaries watched within the month of may, 21st May-27th May week. These documentaries don’t have the higher numbers as the above screenshot but there is more of a pattern of the documentaries being watched. The big name of David Attenborough and his documentaries of Blue Planet was the more popular documentary to watch within this channel with 12,000 people watching what would be the first episode then 6,000 people watching the second episode within the 7 day period, this suggests even more that documentaries are mainly watch to gain knowledge or understanding.

Barb.co.uk. (2020). Weekly top 10 programmes on TV sets (July 1998 – Sept 2018) | BARB. [online] Available at: https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-10/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].

Research- Social Media Impact

Following the primary research and not asking about the social media influence that come from documentaries so I am going to research how social media does have an influence. Within this blog I want to try and find some stats that shows the importance of social media influence but if that isn’t possible then this blog will talk of the ways other documentaries have been influenced by social media. With social media it can range from sharing, commenting and above all getting the conversation started amongst others that may lead to other social medias like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

YouTube is a more popular media platform across many different generations with being able to watch main interests, documentaries being the main source of upload on YouTube too. YouTube connect many “individuals cross geographic and ideological barriers” but the majority of videos can “share personal experiences, knowledge, and advice on an array of issues related to their daily struggles, identities, and interests- including hobbies, single parenting, eating disorders, illness, and transgender transitioning”, which most documentaries can be the subject of. Although this screenshot from the blog doesn’t go into documentaries, there is mention of how a person can inform others on any topics linked with transgender transitioning and informing audiences that feel similar. The audience can have the chance to interact with the video makers to find out more on subjects like this one, making the engagement for the audience that bit more important.

Within the book there is also this part that talks of other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Within the first few sentences it says “the internet has also opened up possibilities for very real but virtual communities to form across barriers, such as geographic distance, via documentary media production, distribution and engagement”. This information will be useful within the essay because the internet has allowed us to communicate with more than just the people that we know but also form opinions of others and what we see from videos or photographs which may help more people connect when tragic events happen for example.

Fox, B. (2017). Documentary media. (pp.181, 182, 183)

Fox, B. (2017). Documentary Media. [online] Google Books. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OqU5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT469&lpg=PT469&dq=audiences+and+their+engagements+with+social+issue+documentaries&source=bl&ots=cRPc88DfqV&sig=ACfU3U239HTVPU1Ecv_J1GyptfOF479qhA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6jp352sbnAhUUiFwKHdPcBJ84FBDoATAAegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=audiences%20and%20their%20engagements%20with%20social%20issue%20documentaries&f=false [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].

This screenshot delves into the way documentaries have been helped along by the internet. So, in this case Alamouti says “rather than allowing the audience to sit back and listen it can enable them to lean forward to navigate their own way around a particular subject”. This suggesting that they can find more information about particular subjects as they go along with documentaries, using their phones to do this if not enough information is presented on the subject at hand. More documentary filmmakers are turning to other social media platforms to find the right videos and photographs on the subject to use within the documentary, asking for permission of the owners of the videos/photographs but also proving validity may make the process longer though.

Carter, M. (2011). Social media influences documentary-makers. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jun/06/social-media-documentary-makers [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].

Here is an example of how a social media campaign was able to get into “mainstream consciousness”, activists fighting against the documentary “Blackfish”. The controversy surrounding “captive killer whales” made other companies change the way they have made a film or portrayed a certain instance, wouldn’t of been done if it wasn’t for activists using the social media platforms calling for change.

This screenshot is important because within the last sentence it says “social media is an ideal venue for discussing pain and developing an invested audience”, which suggests that anyone who relates with this within a certain documentary then they may post about it. Many more then post which can create engagements through many different accounts sharing the pain and talking through it.

Silver, C. (2014). Documentary filmmakers: ignore social media at your own peril – Digiday. [online] Digiday. Available at: https://digiday.com/media/documentary-social-media/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].

Research- Primary

Following the research that has been done so far for the essay, I wanted to do my own primary research on some of the things that I have learnt but also try to ask a range of audiences why they watch documentaries and if they take anything from watching documentaries. Hence the primary research and also the questions which will be shown within the next few screenshots.

This first question “after watching social issue documentaries has this made you want to change?” was asked because this a main one that comes with looking at the impact of social issue documentaries. The majority of the audience, 12 people (57.1%), taking the survey said they wasn’t sure if it does which also suggests it can be hard for people to recognise within themselves as for those to see the engagement. While 7 people (33.4%) said they do recognise changes made within themselves from watching the documentaries which is why I should of asked another question “why?”. This would of been good to find out how they have. Finally, 2 people (9.5%) said they didn’t see any part of them to change.

So to lead on from the above question I asked “do you watch social issue documentaries to gain knowledge on subjects?”. The reason for this question is because within some of the articles it is mentioned that many watch documentaries to gain knowledge on subjects. Out of the 21 people who took the survey 10 people (47.6%) said they do watch these documentaries to gain knowledge which many would be those (subjects) they are interested in. Many others said they sometimes do watch to gain knowledge when a small amount don’t.

Finally, this question “are you more likely to watch documentaries around people so you can create conversation?” was asked again because of research and how it can spark conversations. Other parts of the research also suggesting many may sit down with friends and family to spark these conversations, hence this question. Overall, 12 people (57.1%) said they do watch documentaries around people to start conversation while 5 people (23.8%) clicked they might do this. 4 people (19%) saying they wouldn’t do this, many may prefer to watch documentaries by themselves so they aren’t getting distracted by others.

All this information is important and will allow me to back up or argument any points made within the essay, showing all the possible angles that answers the hypothetical question talked about from the start of research.

Research- Why Do Documentaries Matter More Than Ever?

Within this blog I am trying to relate how social issue documentaries have an impact as well as finding out why documentaries are that much more important now. I plan to add more information on what is known about documentaries from previous research but have more information to back up anything that is said within the essay.

To begin with, the important information I have gathered from the below screenshot is “documentary film is a form that allows us to walk in other’s shoes”. The reason why this is important is because when we sometimes click on documentaries we may not fully understand the subject but as it goes on audiences may share “humanity, that gives voice to the marginalised and the scorned, that strives to hold those in power to account”. Bit like the research into the climate change activist, holding those in power to account to raise more awareness and change policies.

Furthermore, other research had told me that social issue documentaries may not make people change and is hard to investigate if theres a link. This screenshot below says that documentaries “can and do inspire change, and while that change may he incremental it is nonetheless real”. The ending of the screenshot talks of examples of where this has happened within the military, made documentary and then sparked changes within the ranks.

To add onto the importance of documentaries, they have he capability to “engage the heart and the mind with evocative, inspiring and emotional storytelling”. This obviously depending on the subject choice of the documentary to the filming material to interviews given and so on. The last part of this screenshot is important because of how much fake news or facts that don’t tell the whole story, people can easily be mislead. This gives documentaries more of a hold to give audiences a better understanding of the more important information.

Kilmurry, S. (2017). Why Documentaries Matter Now More Than Ever (Guest Column). [online] The Hollywood Reporter. Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-documentaries-matter-more-ever-guest-column-976290 [Accessed 7 Feb. 2020].

Like previously stated I wanted this blog to counter the blog about social issue documentaries having an impact. Within the research I found a part where it says it can he hard to see if there is any real social change to those who watch documentaries but I will possibly be able to counter this subject by using this blog and article within my essay.

Research- Documentary Production Equipment

To get a better idea of the type of equipment that can be often used when creating documentaries, I researched this so I can build on what is known on the production phase. This blog will mainly look into the type of camera equipment and sound setup that those within this particular industry would suggest, in some cases from their own research too.

To begin with this screenshot below is talking of the sound setup that should be used with documentaries. The most important thing is to make sure that the quality of audio is high quality so there is no need to return to the area and get a better shot. Within the interview phase of production the best mic to possibly use is the lavalier mic that attaches to the subject clothes, needs to be under the subjects clothes to not be seen. Whereas within the other parts of production e.g. getting shots that relates with the subject choice for the documentary it would be better to use the shotgun mic to get a specific tone, SD card will be important to make sure these things are recorded and is known to have enough space for the shots/interview to go.

This screenshot below goes into what type of cameras should be used within the production phases of documentaries. The talked about website (can’t find this relevant poll and infographic) held a poll and found that canon products are the main preffered cameras with DSLR’s being good for those who are on a budget but not wanting to draw attention to themselves. The Sony cameras are starting to become more popular within filmmakers because of “compactness/mirrorless and high-end censors”.

ALDREDGE, J. (2016). A Complete Guide to Documentary Filmmaking. [online] The Beat: A Blog by PremiumBeat. Available at: https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/a-complete-guide-to-documentary-filmmaking/ [Accessed 3 Feb. 2020].

Like the other documentary production blog I plan to use this information when talking about the type of camera and sound equipment can be useful when making documentaries, relating somewhat to documentary styles.

Research- Documentary Production

With looking into the documentary styles by the theorist Bill Nichols and more into the social issues documentaries challenge, I decided to look into the production side of documentaries. This is due to the fact within the article about how documentaries are changing social issues there was a screenshot of the process in which it takes to get a documentary out there. In this blog I want to cover some of the key things that needs to be considered within the production phase.

To start with, this screenshot below gives the advice to have the camera of to the side when interviewing a person. The filmmaker and the source facing each other instead of addressing the camera straight on which would naturally make someone thing the questions have been made by the source with no one asking and them answering themselves too.

To add on to the interview set up of the camera, it is important to make sure the lighting is good and makes it easier to see the facial expression of the interviewee. In other aspects it is also good to see who the person is so the audience can put a face with the name that is given within the documentary. In this case this screenshot below is showing that if there is no top lighting equipment then it would be best to sit the interviewee closer to the window to get that better shot for the camera too.

In the other aspects of this video (linked below) there is some shots of making the ceramics and this screenshot below shows the range in which the camera angles can be, used within this video too as examples. These all being key for tring to get the important information across that also helps the audience understand why the shots have been added. The last one “through an object” was shown within the video and is good shot when trying to make the primary material the subject and following that primary subject till it is put down in this case.

To add to the above screenshot there was also this screen made of the different camera movements that can be done from using the different camera angles. The aim of documentaries or even films is to keep the audience interested with using the different angles and movements this could. The reason for this is because if the angles was the same all the way through then they would lose interest within a few minutes as it will all seem the same, remembering how audiences read texts and how many watch documentaries to gain knowledge.

Onto the interview stages of the production, more mic area, there is this part of the video that shows that the lavalier mic should be below the shirt so that those watching don’t see this in the documentary. This screenshot below shows that this is the wrong way to do this and what should be right way is shown within the writing.

This is more centered more around the pre-production stage of the documentaries. I thought it would be a good thing to look at for what to use when wanting to use copyright free music. Normally this would be researched within the research phase on what to consider but this is good for the knowledge for anyone trying to get into making documentaries more frequently.

Cervantes, J. (2020). 7 Fundamental Steps to Film a Short Documentary. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN8dIQ6vptc [Accessed 2 Feb. 2020].

 

This blog will be key when I talk about the key aspects of documentary production. The main parts I plan to use within the essay is the different camera angles, movements, lighting as well as the added advice like music as well as how the mic should be within the interview stages.

Research- How Do Social Issues Documentary Have An Impact?

Within this blog I am going to try and get as much information as possible to try and find out how documentaries have a social impact. This is so I can back up a previous blog that looks into the documentary style that best portrays social issues. Within this blog I will try to find things that address how they have an impact but also any other key information into what goes into making the documentary.

To begin with, this first screenshot talks of how documentaries have more of an impact not just in box offices but also when trying to engage and enlighten audiences on social issues. Those producing the “impact films” have been trying to go outside than the just impacting by trying to get the documentary marketed by companies to try and spread that subject awareness.

I took this screenshot from the link further below because this talks of the process in which it takes for a documentary to be made and then the engagement part. The main important part is the research as this is a way to find all the information out to help them within the creating of the documentary. From there the research can come from pratical research where they test the areas of where the shots are to be filmed, scope out the area in general and prepare for the production phases. The audience research is up next which could of been looked into within the research stages, this set of research helping in knowing who the right target audience. Like stated within this screenshot this can range from in person screens of things like schools to eventually getting out there to get engagement rates online.

This part of the link delves into the ways audiences may engage to watching documentaries compared to other genred films. The aim of documentaries is to try and get the audience to sit with other then converstate over what they are seeing, allowing all views to be put across. Overall just having a conversation rather than watching a film, connecting with that character before finally deciding to do something afterwards as inspiration.

Bernstein, R. (2014). Here’s Why Social Impact is More Important for Documentaries Than Ever Before. [online] IndieWire. Available at: https://www.indiewire.com/2014/10/heres-why-social-impact-is-more-important-for-documentaries-than-ever-before-69150/ [Accessed 1 Feb. 2020].

The main thing I have got from this blog is that there isn’t too much going on within the social impact part of the documentaries. The main things that are coming from documentaries are the conversations between those watching, some able to take it further than a conversation and are trying to create change like David Attenborough. In some cases the conversations are important as this is showing their awareness and may start to change things up within their personal life or opinions.

The other important aspects to this blog is the process in which it takes to get the work out there. This ranging from research to production to post-production before finally being released. More often than not the release of the documentary will start small and aim straight for the target audience, if that does good then it may be put online to get up the engagement rates of watching the documentary to the engagement when using social media platforms.

Research- Performative Mode

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Similar to the two other blogs into documentary styles, I am trying to see how this style addresses social issues within their blogs but also what makes them different from each other. With Bill Nichols being the main theorist around documentaries and what they do, I decided to use the same books to find this informmation out.

This first screenshot talks about what the performative mode is as well as giving some questions to think about on what it addresses and giving some examples of meanings audiences see. Within the first sentence it talks about how the performative mode tackles “questions about what is knowledge”, suggesting that the mode tries to gives another perspective on some social issues. Almost giving the audience a chance to question themselves. Some of the questions like “what besides factual information goes into our understanding of the world?”, suggestiing this style is exploring what knowledge actually means compared to when the audience are trying to understand the proccess in which society holds for some issues.

Within the second paragraph it investigates and talks about how audiences tend to read things differently when they see certain material. Some of the things that may change the audiences view on subjects like “experience and memory, emotional involvement, questions of value and belief, commitment and principle”. Meaning that it is really important to research into the right audience so you know they will have an understanding of the media that is on show within the documentary.

This second screenshot talks about how the observational mode helped in prioritising direct social encounters within documentaries. Meanwhile the performative mode “mixes the expressive techniques that give textyre and density to fiction (point-of-view shots, musical scored, renderings of subjective states of mind, flashbacks and freeze frames, etc.) with oratorical techniques for addressing the social issues that neither science nor reason can resolves”. This suggesting that this mode is open to trying any new technnique that best suites the subject of the documentary but also tries to challenge issues that doesn’t seem easily known.

The main information took from this screenshot below is the examples given of the performative mode. The mode looks more into the historical world with the people and places in which have that much more historical feeling from older events. Can rely on “testimony of others and scenes built around participatory or observational modes of representation”. Suggesting that the representation based around the participatory mode or observational mode is built around interviews and other scenes from the subject choice within the chance to give an older feel.

Nichols, B. (2017). Introduction to documentary. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana U.P., pp. 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137.

Skola.restarted.hr. (2020). [online] Available at: http://skola.restarted.hr/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Bill-Nichols-Introduction-to-documentary.pdf [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020]. (Page 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158.)

The things I have learnt from this short blog is that the performative mode tries to challenge what the audiences knowledge is on the chosen subject, reaching to try and get the audiences original understandings. As audiences have there own views and other ideas of what certain things can mean which ranges from values, beliefs, commitment and principles which makes the research into audiences important before post-production phases. This style uses a range of shots including point-of-view, musical scored, renderings of subjective states of mind, flashbacks and freeze frames and oratorical techniques when trying to facing social issues.

Overall, this documentary style can use historical events that have happened like the previous two documentaries but this one can look more into historical people and places. To build on this they can also rely on the testimony of others and scenes that are used within the participatory and observational mode representations. This is the type of information that I plan to use within the essay when talking about the three modes centred around social issues.

 

Research- Interactive Mode

Following the research conducted at the start I found there was three main documentary styles mentioned, this being the reason for this blog. This blog and the next blog is more aimed at personal portraiture side of documentaries, aiming to also see how each of the three styles are different to each other.

This mode is suggested to be somewhat similar to the expository mode but in this case the documentary is represented by someone, hence interactive mode label. Furthermore, this person representing on the subject becomes almost an actor which takes away the Voice of God narrative used within expository mode. This means that the main information and key questions within interviews can be used within the documentary, working a little more heavily on research before production. The editing within expository style gives someone the power of the content that matches with clips, this mode the almost actor is in control of the events.

Some interesting questions within the second paragraphy of this screenshot can be affected either during production or post-production. It is important that both the, considered, actor and filmmaker are on the same wavelength so they both know the type of shots that they need to get but also the important questions are being told. In this area there needs to be an awareness of the main goal of the documentary before the filming to be on the same wavelength. In the post-production aspect of the filming there can be an emotional side for the “actor” after being shown on the camera, makes this important to make sure they see final products but the “actor” can talk of any issues they have.

Finally, within the third paragraph it explores the way in which the audience will explore what they are seeing on the screen. The quality of content between the filmaker and the interviewee with the information needs to be at the top of the game, audiences may not know what they are trying to show but within the editing phases pictures could actually be used to portray this like in the expository mode. The social actor is this case may have to become a “mentor, critic, interrogator, collabortator or provocateur”.

This screenshot below builds on what the above screenshot suggests on what the filmmaker becomes within this documentary style. The filmmakers voice is an important aspect within this style, it has to be direct and cover everything a researcher or inverstigator should. The “social actor” is centre around the things that unfold within the documentary so it is important they have done the right research, some parts to ask the right questions but also find the right people who know more on the chosen subject.

The style gives the filmmaker to address the audience straight away in the interview stage of the documentary whereas in other documentaries, expository mode, there is the voice-over to address who the person is or what the interview is sort of trying to enagage the audience on.

Nichols, B. (2017). Introduction to documentary. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana U.P., pp. 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123.

Skola.restarted.hr. (2020). [online] Available at: http://skola.restarted.hr/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Bill-Nichols-Introduction-to-documentary.pdf [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020]. (Page 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144.)

With Bill Nichols being the main documentary theorist it is good to explore how the documentaries make their own impacts. This documentary style can explore historic issues as well as social issues but this is a little more aimed towards the audience. This can range from the filmmaker being within the documentary while the expository documentary style uses the Voice-of-God narration to introduce the documentary or titles to introduce interviewees. This means this style will heavily rely on the earlier post-production research rather than do a voice-over that has the key facts infront of them. Other things that the crew may have to consider before the production phases whether the “social actor” has any problems with being on the camera so they can switch this up over time rather than having this problem when it comes to filming. This being some of the information being used within the essay stage.

 

Research- Expository Mode

Within this blog I am going to take a look into what the expository mode documentary is, from the theorist Bill Nichols. This is an important documentary format to look into so I can find out what documentary style best tackles social issues the best, whether this is head on social issues or personal portraiture. I can then talk about how this is within the essay, how this information will help going into FMP.

To start with within the first line it stated “this mode assembles fragments of the historical world into a more rhetorical or argumentative frame than an aesthetic or poetic one”.This suggests that historical side can play a key role, while in other aspects being from todays world giving the link of the changes. This documentary style allows the viewer to be addressed directly which could be a technique to try and keep the audience engaged, keeping watch/hearing the titles or the voices of those addressing the chosen subject. In some cases this can be within an argument, create a new perspective on the chosen subject as well as historical events like previously said. If the voice is over images or clips then this is referred to as Voice of God narrative.

This second paragraph goes into more detail as to what comes with the expository style. The expository style means that the research has to be correct and somewhat lengthy, allowing logic to be the forefront for the audiences to understand. Like previously stated the Voice of God narration but is supported by images or video clips to keep the audiences attention, not getting bored of someone talking all of the time. This also giving the audience a chance to get a visual to what they are also hearing.

I got this screenshot as this talks about the editing side of the documentary style. The theorist says that the editing stages isn’t a full editing rhythm/pattern as there is more of a focal point to have a continuity to the argument at hand and the new perspective the documentary is trying to give.  To help along the documentary or in the areas where there is the Voice of God there will be images to create the bigger picture around the argument.

This screenshot talks about the way in which this documentary style is trying to build on the knowledge that a person may already have on a subject. The more information that is took can be a representation of the common sense of the audience, leading to logic of the subject before it turns to belief as to what the documentary is saying.

Nichols, B. (2017). Introduction to documentary. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana U.P., pp. 105, 106, 107, 108, 109.

Skola.restarted.hr. (2020). [online] Available at: http://skola.restarted.hr/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Bill-Nichols-Introduction-to-documentary.pdf [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020]. (Page 126, 127, 128, 129, 130.)

Within this blog I learnt that this documentary often looks at historical events while having some within the today world, main factor is the Voice of God narration. The Voice of God narration may not be able to give the right message without the suitable material like pictures and video clips, somewhat more pictures in a sense. The other main important thing about this documentary mode is the research into the chosen subject, without the correct information the Voice of God narrative will give false knowledge leading to the audiences being misguided.

Looking into the editing side of things and how they differ when compared to modes like poetic, gives a chance to see what the differences are but what makes the modes unique. This mode concentrating on the continuity of the perspective/argument rather than the continuity of the video and the media that is included. These are just some of the key parts that I can talk about within the essay when comparing some of the documentary styles.