Audio Visual Production

 Editing in a voice over giving instructions for the tutorial, choosing a song for the background, and ensuring all clips are positioned in time with narration, as well as keeping entire video at a reasonable length.

Website Audio Visual

Footage collected and organised into what will and will not be used in the final clip.

Tutorial on how to plait a horses tail, will be used on website as part of a blog post.
 

Update

website update: https://14-abut.wixsite.com/madisonbutcher

documentary on vimeo: https://vimeo.com/491214460

(without music and some footage - also needs more editing)

Website

 blog post for audio visual uploaded with text

links done and checked for social media sites

BBC 3 other documentary advertising done

 minor details edited including email and phone addresses to add to realism of the site

 

added feature and linked on website homepage so it doesn't appear empty

Brief

Brief 1: Television and online

Requirements of the brief

You work for an independent media production company. You have been given the task of producing a three-minute opening sequence of a documentary for BBC Three and two web pages on the BBC Three website about the documentary.

The opening sequence must include the title sequence.

The web pages must promote the new documentary to its target audience and enable fans to interact with the programme.

Summary of brief requirements:

• Statement of Intent (approx. 500 words).1

• Opening sequence for a documentary: One, three-minute opening sequence.

• Broadcast channel and time: Content must be suitable for BBC Three.

• Number of web pages: Two web pages.

• Cross-media production target audience: A socially-conscious, 16–25, middle to upmarket

  demographic.
  There must be a clear sense of branding across the two elements of the cross-media production.

  Production detail that must be included
  The production of the opening sequence must include (as a minimum):

  • Range of camera shots, including shot distances, angles and movement as appropriate to a documentary.

  • Editing of footage and sound.

  • Soundtrack, which should include voice (voiceover and/or diegetic voices), sound effects and

    appropriately edited music.

  • At least two different uses of mise-en-scène.

  • At least two characters representing at least two different social groups (e.g. as defined by

    age, gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality).

  • Graphics/titles to include the title of the programme.

    The production of the web pages must include (as a minimum):

    • Original audio or audio-visual content which may include material from the programme but must include at least one element produced specifically for the website.

    • A minimum of two original images (with at least one different original image on each of the two pages). These images must be different from those produced for the television programme.

    • Appropriate conventions of website design, following the conventions of BBC Three web pages (including articles).

    • Text introducing the main features of the programme.

    • Working links from each page to the other page.

    • A range of appropriate media language techniques (typography, images, fonts, backgrounds,

      logos, etc.) as appropriate to the purpose of the website.

Website Progress

WEBSITE LINK

Production Progress

Inside stable close ups

Sunset riding

Taking up prep

Extreme close ups of rosettes in bedroom

Production Progress

Created fake tweets and news articles to embed into the documentary to make a story about an accident more authentic and show the seriousness of it to the audience. 

Article on website on ways the audience can help out and for more information.

Editing 1

 Importing videos into iMovie, lots of different shot types and angles used when filming.

Production Progress Part 3

Production Progress Part 2

Here are a few photos from the days I have been collecting footage. I particularly liked the beach filming that I did early one morning. 

I have also found a photo of Maddie when she was much younger with a horse, which I think I could incorporate into the documentary as a 'throwback', similarly done in Jesy Nelsons Odd One Out, or even use it on a web page on the website.

Production Progress Part 1

Here are some images after playing around with Wix for a while. I still have loads that I want to do, but i have created a side bar of the social media icons which I can embed links into, an immediate pop up that I want the design and actual purpose of changed, I have uploaded photos into certain areas on the homepage, and also some additional text.

I have also created a blog post with intertextuality to different sites like Sport England, for example. I have done this to give the website more authenticity by having different web pages to access, and have embedded links with real information that people could access for more information. This new page I made is also all about encouraging interaction and engaging my audience by trying to involve them as much as I can. It makes them feel a part of what they are consuming, and I also emphasise this by using words like 'we' when giving factual information.

Storyboard Plan

 

Documentary Production: Things to Consider

• Think about a question - what do I want to know about my topic?

A documentary needs at least 5 elements:

1. An expert witness (objective)
2. Subject (subjective)
3. Footage of the issue
4. Opinions
5. Facts

Filming, what to remember:

• LOTS of cutaways
• Will need a more footage than you think
• Write script first
• Play around with iMovie

Cutaway filming:

• Tacking up
• Mucking out
• Trailer clips (on road, stationary)
• Grooming
• Strap phone on someone else (i.e. on a hack)
• Lay phone under a jump
• Front on shots
• Polishing tack
• Close up of eye

Statement of Intent: Draft 2

Here is an improved version of my original Statement of Intent draft.

Product 1:

I want my documentary to interest and appeal to my target demographic of socially conscious 16-25 year olds. To do this I need to take into account the areas of media theoretical framework including language, audience, industry and representation when creating my products as well as covering areas interesting to them. As this documentary is for BBC 3 I also need to remember their remit, which is  is to inform, educate, and entertain. I can definitely incorporate the first two into my documentary video in terms of facts and expanding the audiences knowledge. My documentary is going to be focused on mental health and sports together, and how physical activity can help someone if they're struggling. Mental Health is a subject that I believe to be very important and should be spoken about more often, and I feel that this age group could take interest in this. The reason for this is because of the growing awareness that it is taking over social medias, and recent generations in particular showing they want to help. In recent years stereotypes are continuously being challenged and so many people are willing to talk about it, and even their own personal struggles. An example of this could be the hashtag started around a year ago #werehereforyou, holding 24.3k posts on Instagram, 150.8k on TikTok, and more across other platforms like Twitter. Mental Health problems are most likely to effect everyone in some way, whether it's themselves or someone close to them. Linking to Stuart Halls Reception Theory, my preferred reading for this documentary would be for people to gain a wider understanding that participating in sports, doesnt just benefit you physically, but also mentally and emotionally. I plan to include a wide range of shot types and locations within my documentary as through my research I found that most documentaries do this. Jesy Nelsons Odd One Out used a wide range of both shot types and locations throughout even just the first few minutes of watching, and it can become really powerful in emphasising certain moments. For example, wide scene shots with voice over, or extreme close ups at times of emotional climax. Then having different locations can help to tell a story and match up with narration almost like 'throwbacks'. I think that my younger audience will be interested also because the main 'subject/talent' of the documentary is young too. This may give them more to relate too when watching.

Product 2:

I think that having a website as a second product allows me to include more conventions and encourage more interaction with the audience. From my research, I realised that not many documentaries have accompanying websites, but not only does this make my website unique, it also can allow me to use it differently - and focus it largely on educating. Even though there aren't many documentary websites, I have found from my audience research that the 16-25 year old target audience spend a lot of time online, and a large amount of their information is found from the internet. Therefore, this gives me an opportunity to make it something that they would be likely to engage with. From my focus group, which all fit in the same age category - the most used social media platform was Instagram, so I can provide links to social medias like the people featured in the documentary, as well as for sports accounts and mental health platforms linking to the focus of the documentary itself. Another thing that I could do is create a hashtag as this could stretch across multiple platforms - like the previously mentioned #werehereforyou. Including social media accounts on the website is current and necessary for the young target audience as they are most likely to use those platforms regularly, and would be more likely to engage in that. The website can be used to promote the 'star' of the documentary and their own platform, but I aim for it to for the most part be focusing on mental health and raising awareness on that. I think that a way to add on the interaction could be allowing audiences to 'submit' their own stories, or questions, or something similar to this that can be shared with everyone. Providing audience interaction fulfils part of the BBC 3 remit which is to 'entertain' their audience, and this also links to Henry Jenkins theory by encouraging audience interaction and participation. Even though this documentary has a serious topic, I want the website to be more light hearted and welcoming for anyone. Lastly, intertextuality is something that I am going to include within the website. An example of something that I could do for this would be linking the main stars Spotify playlist, or her favourite uplifting podcasts that she listened to.

I also need to link each of my products together. Way I will do this are by keeping the same typography and colour palette throughout. This is similar to what BBC 3 do by having a pink colour palette on all of their web pages - including for seperate documentaries. Although there won't be much text on the documentary, it can be kept the same for the main title when it appears in the opening sequence, and on the website. I will also include images on the website from places filmed at in the documentary, and may even have a gallery of photos. Also the audio visual could be filmed in a place that was also used in the documentary, to continue a link of the two together. Another thing that I could do is make extensive use of logos, hashtags, etc, to remind the audience that they are both one.

Wix Address

https://14-abut.wixsite.com/mysite

Statement of Intent: Draft

Product 1:

I want my documentary to interest and appeal to my target demographic of socially conscious 16-25 year olds. To do this I need to take into account the areas of media theoretical framework including language, audience, industry and representation when creating my products as well as covering areas interesting to them. Mental Health is a subject that I believe to be very important and should be spoken about more often - and I feel that this age group could take interest int his, and it is most likely to effect everyone in some way, whether it's themselves or someone close to them. I plan to include a wide range of shot types and locations within my documentary and think that this can become really powerful in emphasising certain moments. For example wide scene shots with voice over, or extreme close ups at times of emotional climax. Then having different locations can help to tell a story and match up with narration almost like 'throwbacks'. I think that my younger audience will be interested also because the main 'subject/talent' of the documentary is young too. This may give them more to relate too when watching.

Product 2:

I think that having a website as a second product allows me to include more conventions and encourage more interaction with the audience. I can provide links to social medias like the people featured in the documentary, as well as for sports accounts and mental health platforms linking to the focus of the documentary itself. Including social media accounts on the website is current and necessary for the young target audience as they are most likely to use those platforms regularly, and would be more likely to engage in that. The website can be used to promote the 'star' of the documentary and their own platform, but I aim for it to for the most part be focusing on mental health and raising awareness on that. I think that a way to add on the interaction could be allowing audiences to 'submit' their own stories, or questions, or something similar to this that can be shared with everyone. Even though this documentary has a serious topic, I want the website to be more light hearted and welcoming for anyone.

To link each of my products one thing that I will do is keep the same typography and colour palette throughout. This is similar to what BBC 3 do by having a pink colour palette on all of their web pages - including for seperate documentaries. Although there won't be much text on the documentary, it can be kept the same for the main title when it appears in the opening sequence, and on the website. I will also include images on the website from places filmed at in the documentary, and may even have a gallery of photos. Also the audio visual could be filmed in a place that was also used in the documentary, to continue a link of the two together.

Planning: Website

I created a Wix account to look at different templates, play around with it and learn more about their format as I've never used it before.
I think that I am going to have my documentary as part of a 'series' based around sport, so my documentary in particular is focused on horse riding as one of the 'episodes' of this. Therefore, I can have the website more general about mental health and sport together, with a section dedicated to this documentary.

I chose this template as it is clear and precise, and not much going on. I want my website to have a clean layout and easy to access different things. There are many things that I would like to adapt within this.
For example, with the 'Latest News' and the linked pages below I could include a written article on a mental health story. Also I like the Quick Links section, which I think that I will use to link helplines and pages for advice and mental health information.

Planning: First Ideas

Here is a mind map of some ideas that I want to include in my 2 products. With many common conventions of documentaries incorporated, as well as some brief ideas for my website.

Generic Research: Language and Digital Convergence

How do media producers use language to communicate meaning?
Background music is very popularly used in documentaries. It can build on the drama and even emphasise something. For example, many documentaries have some background music with narration, which I plan on doing in my documentary too. This is done in both of the documentaries that I previously analysed. They have wide scene shots, with music building up and they give statistics and explanations. Slow paced editing goes really well with this. It communicates meaning by allowing the audience to really hear what is being said in the narration as they don't have much else to focus on when watching.
Media producers also communicate meaning through the mise en scene. It is very common for the people making the documentary to shoot in multiple locations. In my opinion depending on where it is, it can really effect the tone of the scene and how they want the audience to be responding at that exact moment. For example, if they wanted to increase the emotional climax they might have the scene with the person who is upset or struggling on their own, maybe with close up shots and background music. This would be effective in the audience feeling like they are either with them, or feeling sympathy. Also I think that the colour palette and lighting of the scene will emphasise on the meaning too. For example, having warmer brighter tones will give a positive representation and almost lighten the mood, whereas darker lighting will do the opposite and it may seem like a sadder scene. I have noticed this being used for example when looking back in the past. Often the subject is looking back at a sadder time when they may have been struggling, and the lighting drops. This immediately shows the audience that they aren't trying to portray this in a positive way, with the colours emphasising that and communicating this meaning.

How do media producers use digital convergence to link their products?
If we take Jesy Nelsons 'Odd One Out' as an example, there are many ways that the producers use digital convergence to make links. Firstly, on the webpage for the documentary is easter eggs linking to other parts of the page. As this documentary was specifically made for BBC 3, they still want to promote the BBC as a whole. For example, you can see the 'Last on' section, which is quite large and right next to the main documentary image which contains an Easter Egg. Although it is only discrete when you click it, you are taken to the main BBC One page. This could encourage the audience from Jesy Nelsons documentary, to now see some of what they have on BBC One, and take an interest in that.
 

Brand identity is also very prominently used by producers. Even from the example above we can see brand identity being created through the colour palette. Red is the colour many people associate with BBC One and not only is it in the logo, but they also used it in the web page as the background. This is again done with BBC 3. The BBC use these different colours to differentiate the different channels, and BBC 3 is Pink.


We can see that the Pink is used on the background of this page. When you scroll down, there is a hyperlink to BBC 3's main page. This is another way that digital convergence is being used. Looking at this further the brand identity can still be seen on this page as even though it is mostly grey, the play buttons are still clearly pink.

Textual Analysis 3 and Websites Research Stacey Dooley

Stacey Dooley is an English TV presenter, journalist, documentary filmmaker, media personality and author. She is very involved in the BBC Three's documentary list with many of her own social issue themed documentaries. Her filmography is largely taken up by 'Stacey Dooley investigates', which is her documentary 'series'. The BBC website states that in these she 'investigates current affairs issues affecting young people around the world'. When observing different ways of living and carrying out these investigations, Dooley does her best to fit in and really feel what it is like for these other people. I think that this is one of the reasons her documentaries are so popular, because the audience are able to see almost the behind the scenes of other people lives and it is interesting to see Dooley fully immersed in this.
From the examples below you can see how she really involves herself to truly capture what it is like. Instead of her just directing and filming these other people, actually doing the same things as them and what is normal for them allows her to even then be able to comment on the differences, because she is also experiencing it all herself too. All of these documentaries shown below can be viewed on the BBC iPlayer website.

As Dooley has produced a wide range of films and series, she also has her own 'website' which is a section on BBC 3 dedicated just to her work. This makes it much easier for the audience to locate all of what she has done, especially if they enjoy watching one they can then watch more and browse what else she has filmed, and where she has been. I also think that Dooley's success could possibly be because of the wide range of topics and issues she covers. She travels all around the world for this content, as we can see in the few examples above in Nigeria, Russia, America and many more. This is interesting to the UK viewers to see other parts of the world instead of just their own.

One of her really powerful documentaries in my opinion is when she visited Springfield Hospitals Psych Ward. She spoke to patients, workers and families whilst becoming a part of it, spending time there for three weeks to produce this and really understand everything she could about it. I think that spending 3 weeks there shows her dedication and how much she is willing to do in order to show the audience what she can. She faces many tough situations and I feel she becomes really involved and puts a lot into trying to help and do what she can as if she was actually a worker. This is an example of what I mentioned above, with her immersing herself in the new and unfamiliar situation.

This documentary begins with low, almost suspenseful music and a close up of Dooleys face walking along with the diegetic sounds of the ward and people talking. Then Dooley begins to narrate over the videos being played. The first sentence she speaks is really powerful and could easily immediately draw the audience in and definitely encourage them to continue watching the entire documentary. I want to create a similar effect when I make mine as I feel that around the first minute of what the audience see are the most important, as that will tell whether they want to continue watching.
'We all know someone who's struggled with their mental health'
 Even using the pronoun 'we' brings everyone together and makes the audience relate to the documentary straight away. This one line can get them thinking about their own experiences and interest them more.
This introduction continues to show snippets of what we will be seeing later on and throughout the documentary, working almost like a trailer with Dooley speaking over some of it explaining what she'll be doing as they continue to watch. After 40 seconds the title shot appears, and the documentary begins properly. After this disappears we see wide shots of scenes and places around the ward, not only helping the audience visualise it, but also allowing them to concentrate and listen on what Dooley says.
The first patient we meet is young, 24 year old Laura. She is battling anorexia and is back in '136' after a near suicide attempt off a bridge.

We see Laura enter the ward in an afraid and anxious state as can be seen from this mid shot above. She seems very timid and closed off, and extremely scared holding her arms almost folded in each other.
Dooley then interviews her in a very natural environment clearly not staged, whilst they are both in the corridor. The location of this emphasises the reality and adds a sense of realism, as neither of them are facing the camera or looking at them directly - we as the audience are just observing their conversation. Dooley starts asking questions to Laura about how she is feeling, etc.
How are you feeling?
You are anxious?
Do you want to sit down, or do you prefer to stand?
Would it be okay if I ask you some questions?
How long were you in hospital for?
So, you were just discharged two days ago?
I found watching this interview really interesting for many reasons. I think that for me it will be useful when making my documentary as it allowed me to see how the patient was like in terms of body language and they way she was speaking too. Laura was very anxious at this time and used many filler words in her speech, for example 'like' and 'umm'. This 'interview'/conversation that Stacey had with Laura wasn't even 3 minutes into the documentary and we are already seeing the harsh reality of some mental health patients, and how they deal with their own experiences. I like that it appears as if they aren't hiding anything from the audience, like protecting how people view the ward and instead just show it how it is. An example of this is one of Laura's responses about being discharged.

She replies in such way that we can immediately see the way she feels about the ward and how they treat her. This gives a negative viewpoint, however we can also see that Laura is in a fragile position, and even says herself that she isn't thinking straight.
I really like the use of this mid point of view shot taken from behind Stacey. It is natural and not forced, adding to the realism and perfectly showing what the documentary wants - for the audience to see inside the mental health ward.
Being able to meet a patient like this and seeing how Stacey behaves around them in interesting, and not only do we see this but we also see Laura 3 months on, in a more set up interview. Even just from this screenshot compared with the 2 above we can see the physical changes she has had. At the start when Stacey first met Laura she was extremely deep into an eating disorder, but has made so much progress since.

This was really effective in my opinion, and it makes the audience feel involved. I want to create a similar idea in my documentary so that my audience can also feel part of the story and understand it as well as they can. It is able to show the audience that her mental health has drastically improved, and she is in a position where she is able to look back and talk about it being in her past.

The webpage for this documentary is similar to Jesy Nelsons Odd One Out, as they are both part of BBC 3. However, as we can see on this one it is part of Stacey Dooleys webpage.
The main image is showing Dooley (the main presenter) sat on one of the beds.
Below this is 5 paragraphs describing what the documentary entails, and giving brief descriptions of some of the patients we meet. This is useful for the audience or potential viewers, and I plan to have something similar on my website.
  
As you scroll down there is a 'clip' which discusses working on a psychiatric ward, and interviews some of those working on the frontline of the mental health health services. I could incorporate something similar to this into my website and this 'clip' is like an additional audio-visual on their page, like I have to create. I could possibly have an interview for mine like what is featured in this.
When you click to watch the clip it opens a new page, specifically for this and next to the play button is a 'warning' that the episode deals with adult themes. Suggesting it may be sensitive to some, and not suitable for younger children.


At the bottom of the page, as they do for everything on BBC iPlayer, they are promoting and encouraging their viewers to look at more similar content - they provide a link for more of Stacey Dooleys documentaries, as well as more on mental health.

The rest of this web page is similar to Jesy Nelsons Odd One Out, so I have linked my previous analysis for that below.
https://602216607.blogspot.com/2020/04/generic-research-2.html