Documentary Analysis - Super Size Me - 3rd December 2009

The first documentary introduction I analysed was “Supersize Me” a large scale investigative documentary that was funded and produced by film companies and distributed via cinema and eventually DVD. (It has since appeared on television)

I will analyse this in order to gain an insight into the forms and conventions of the investigative documentary genre that feature in high budget projects.



Documentary conventions used

Voice over –
to give information on top of establishing footage and titles
Interview and use of the expert –
to gain an expert perspective from doctors on the subject that the audience can trust
Fly on the wall filming –
of obese people walking, that would have been the same had the camera not been there
Talking head – to convey information to the audience

Camera

The majority of camera shots featured are medium shots of the presenter and interviewees. Fixed medium shots enable the audience to focus primarily on the person speaking in the footage as opposed to what’s happening in the background.

As well as medium shots, long shots and establishing shots are also used for the footage that showcases the voice over. In this panning shots and tracking shots are used to coincide with the themes presented in the voice over, i.e. panning shots of fast food outlets or over weight people.

Editing

Most of the editing is quick cuts between extracts of the three interviews taking place. As the three interviews are of a similar theme, the quick cutting between extracts of all three is useful to swiftly present their information in an almost montage fashion, enabling the audience to hear each of there view points almost simultaneously.

Throughout the title sequence photos are presented with a “scrap book” editing technique where they enter the screen almost like they are thrown onto the footage from above. Alongside this a digital map is used to show MC Donald’s’ world wide business empire as well as the growing obesity figures in America over the last twenty years. The use of digital maps here coincide with the voice over dialogue and give a visual representation of what’s being said to help the audience consume the information being spoken.

Mise En Scene

The general Mise En Scene of the extract is typical of the audience’s expectations. In the varying medical practices the audience are presented with the typical Mise En Scene expected of a doctor’s office, folders, computers and medical records. This is used to give what is being said a more professional, legitimate reception from the audience as they automatically feel more trusting toward their expectations of a medical professional. The attire of the doctors is also as expected from the audience’s representations and expectations of doctors with them wearing white laboratory coats.

Elsewhere the Mise En Scene is typical of a documentary filmed in New York with the busy streets, establishing shots of sky scrapers and taxi’s as well as bug fast food outlets. Also the attire of the presenter is very ordinary reinforcing the notion alongside the dialect that he is an ordinary person that the audience can relate with.

Dialogue

The dialogue in this extract is used to give an introduction to themes of the documentary. The tone of voice and content of language is not overpowering and is accessible by all. The words spoken have a certain air of authority within the audience as it is littered with facts and figures that invoke acceptability within the audience.

Throughout the interviews the professional language expected from doctors is featured to give what they say a sense of professionalism and authority in the minds of the audience.

Sound and music

The backing music used is quiet and non lyrical so as not to draw attention away from the dialogue. During the later title sequence music that is associated with the themes (fat bottomed girls – queen) is used.