Documentary Analysis - Panorama, Scientology and Me - 3rd December 2009

Finally I decide to analyse a more hard hitting investigative piece in order to differentiate between how the conventions of documentaries are applied in each type of TV based investigate documentary.

The documentary I chose to analyse was one from the BBC’s Panorama series, a series of hard hitting investigative documentaries that are marketed as “revealing” and hit out against controversial subjects to attract viewers. The documentary I chose to analyse was “Scientology and Me” the documentary that digs deep into the mysterious world of the church of scientology investigating claims of corruption and ill being. I chose this episode as much like the beast of Cannock Chase, Scientology is an oddity, looked upon by people as strange and mysterious, much like rumours of the Cannock Chase panther.



Documentary Conventions used

Interviews – are used to give the audience a sympathetic view of the Mothers loss. This interview is used to further stain the image of Scientology by presenting the negative effects it has. Also the decision to exclude the second interview due to the return of the daughter is effective in creating conspiracy suspicions within the audience.

Talking Head – is used in conjunction with medium shots to convey information to the audience along with voice over’s much like the other examples.

Footage shot for other purposes is used such as interview with a deceased person that could not be filmed live.


Camera

Throughout the extract the voice over’s are coupled with establishing shots as well as tracking shots of the car driving too and from locations. Medium shots of the talking head conform to the generic conventions of the genre. Over the shoulder shots are used in both interviews to emphasise the presence of the narrator as the investigator.

Editing

Mostly quick cuts to keep continuity and match the dialogue of voice over’s so the change in clip is appropriate to the dialogue being spoken.

Wipes are featured in and out of the title sequence, a characteristic of the program.

Mise En Scene

The narrator wears a suit so as to emphasise his status as an academic and an educated individual to promote the idea of a reasoned unbiased documentary.

Dialogue

Is like most of the previous examples questioning to extract information as well as informative to convey that information to the audience. The language used is not sophisticated to the point of unclearness, yet is educated to appeal to the intellect of the target audience.

Sound and music

Voice over’s are backed with quiet instrumental music as an accompaniment, so as not to distract the audience with lyrics.

The title sequence features the generic Panorama theme music, which audiences associate with the program.