Documentary:
Stalked
Stalked
is a documentary, based on a real life event, which relates to a writer’s life
and how it changed when a female stalker invaded his life. Pete, the victim, in
this documentary reveals his experience of a horrifying incident, through the
cause of social networking sites, which almost put his life in jeopardy.
Pete’s
real life example, of his female stalker, Karen was completely a bias view.
Within it, there was no balance between his story and the story of the
stalkers. The documentary was solely based on him. However, a lot of interviews
with friends, colleagues, witnesses and the victim itself have been used
intensively throughout this. Therefore I can say that the documentary can be
believed, despite the fact that it is a subjective piece of material. The
views, opinions and thoughts are entirely related to the subject matter, in
this case, Pete.
Family,
friends, victims, colleagues and witnesses all speak the similar stories
throughout the documentary, which emphasises the fact that the victim, on whom
this is based upon, is most likely to be speaking the truth. Pete’s family,
have also displayed photographs and letters, from the stalker, to the camera,
supporting the case.
Before
the actual beginning of the documentary, a warning/message is displayed on the
screen. This message alerts the audience that the reconstruction following has
been acted out by another actor, rather than the genuine stalker. The message
displayed appears as it has been entered using a type writer, and to emphasise
this, diegetic sound has been used. Diegetic sound, such as voices have been
used, to flow with the piece of art and to make it seem realistic, almost as in
the shoes of the victim.
The
type writer introduction causes a nerve-racking feeling and sets a serious
atmosphere followed by the sound, of a woman running in high heels. This type
of sound emphasises the start of a chase. It persuades the reader to carry on
watching through its exposition and montage at the beginning. First few minutes
are very important of an episode/movie, as this either attracts or puts the
audience off. But looking at this movie, it has snatched the audience’s
attention, so that it is more focused on the documentary, and keen on watching
it.
Editors
of this documentary have used reconstruction, diegetic sound and early message
warning signs to prepare the viewers and also to build the suspense and cause
and adrenaline feel. This is because the issue that they are relating to is a
sensitive topic and very few people would freely express this. However, it is
also to create a boundary of warmth feelings, so that others in a similar
situation can relate to it; causing a sense of belonging.
During
the montage, there is a structure sequel of various sections of the
reconstruction throughout the beginning of the documentary. This gives and
overall view of the bigger picture, later on. However, there are parts of this
documentary which are sensitive to the victim and for the audience there may be
aspects which are not smooth for viewers with heart problems. But this issue
has not been mentioned at the start, as it may reduce the size of the people
watching it.
Nevertheless,
this documentary is likely to be accurate, as the images and clips have been
recorded over a two year period, making this a longitudinal study. However
despite noting this, there is only one side to the story and hence the period
of two years has not been utilised correctly and makes this a very bias
material. However, if the documentary represented two sides of the story, it
would then allow the audience to make the decision of who they think is right
and who they think is lying.
Summary
of Stalked
Stalked,
is a documentary which includes a variety of features, such as images,
reconstruction, interviews and experts, nonetheless it has much more to
provide. It is quite private, as it does not reveal too much, but it just
briefly describes what, how, where and when this all happened. The main
question which this documentary does not answer is that “why did the female
stalk Pete in the first place?” This then becomes a rhetorical question, which
the audience will end up asking themselves, yet will never find the answer.
Although,
it has some strong elements to it, it has a lot more potential, as it can
deliver more than expected. As a whole the documentary is very appealing and
definitely interesting. At peaks, as the audience you want to see more of the
reconstruction as it has a greater impact and also impersonates any real life
scenarios.
Overall,
I would recommend this documentary however; I believe that it has a lot more to
provide to the audience, than what it has actually given. It does create a
contract with the viewer, but in order to improve, it needs both sides to the
situation not just the one.
Documentary:
One Born Every Minute
One
Born Every Minute is a British reality television programme which shows
captured videos of women, giving childbirth, within a hospital ward. There have
been three television series, of this reality documentary, up till date, in the
United Kingdom, which is aired on Channel 4. This documentary, unlike Stalked,
has a positive outlook on life, despite both are based on reality. The main
purpose of this documentary is to appeal to pregnant women and their spouses or
mothers-to-be; however this can also be watched for entertainment purposes, due
to the situations individuals face.
In
the opening minutes of this documentary, the montage has already set the scene.
Producers have done this by shooting a close up of the hospital information
board, on which it states the delivery suite. By doing this, the audience is
already into the location of this documentary. Usually, cameramen take
establishing shots to set the scene, however for this documentary the
production team allows the audience to use logical understanding to put
together the location of this series.
Other
than close ups of the setting, there has also a lot of close up shots used
within the first eleven seconds, into the documentary, alongside diegetic
sounds of women screaming in the background and clocks ticking. The diegetic
sounds used within the beginning of this documentary are to set a solid scene,
from what they have already seen. Also the ticking of the clocks implies the
effect of how midwives, nurses and doctors at the institute are fighting against
the clock to save and help the birth of new lives.
As
there are about forty or so cameras, set up in the hospital before the shooting
of this documentary, Channel 4, allows us to see real archival footage of women
before, during and after their birth, which gives a deeper insight into the
real meanings of everyday life. Also, having this many cameras means that
editors can pick and choose what will appeal to the audience, before
broadcasting it, and also means that consent has been taken from the people
being recorded. There is not deceit regarding the filming and the interviewers
and mothers have given permission for the camera team to access some private
and personal issues. In addition to this, permission has also been asked from
the hospital itself before the proceeding of the recordings, or otherwise they
wouldn’t have been allowed to record footage.
This
documentary allows almost any mature women to relate to, as they may have, will
have or are experiencing similar feelings and emotions. Therefore this creates
sympathy and empathy towards the people on the documentary. One Born Every
Minute also catches glimpse of amused husband, stressed women and some very
happy moments in a couple’s life. But, this movie is inappropriate to be
watched by children or as an entire family, as it contains some uncensored
adult scenes and language, whereas the documentary Stalked can be watched by
the whole family.
Throughout
some of this documentary, there are places where the footage has been edited
and appears for a longer pace of time, to allow us to see the emotions on faces
of the new born babies, parents, nurses and midwives. As it slows right down
you get a real picture of the reality behind the purpose of this documentary.
One
Born Every Minute has been broadcasted with many episodes in one series, and
within this many individuals have been recorded during their experiences,
therefore this makes this a reliable, secure and accurate piece of work.
Furthermore, it is quite representative as over the series and seasons many
women have been recorded, in similar ways which makes this a representative
sample to use within documentaries. However, this is only representative of a
small scale not a rather large one, but it is because not many hospitals will
allow recording of such events, whereas some may argue that filming in this
case is incorrect due to ethical reasons and beliefs. This documentary does not
go into too much depth, but it does sketch a rough outline of the work
patterns, problems, solutions and difficulties, midwives and nurses overcome,
throughout their daily basis.
Similarly,
it is not bias because it is only revealing the truth, there is no hidden story
behind any of this, and therefore the information provided is accurate and
correct. It reveals and shows both sides from mothers and fathers to the
experience of midwives and nurses; showing how relationships bond within the
workplace. There is also a lot of realism within this documentary as it
captures scares, happiness, anxiety and arguments, all happening within the
hospital yard and presents it to us. This in fact tells us that not everything
works smoothly, during pregnancies, but yet there is a solution, hence
supporting my statement about this documentary as not bias.
Archival
footage has also been used within a vast majority of the episodes within this
documentary series, of how mothers and fathers experience childbirth and to how
their feelings remain about it after. This footage shows us the pregnancy
procedures of not one, but of a few women in one episode, and how their lives
are after. The audience is kept engaged and interested in the documentary, as
the camera switches between different mothers, who are experiencing similar
situations.
Summary
of One Born Every Minute
One
Born Every Minute is a positive outlook on everyday experiences, which women
face. Facts say that there are 267 born every minute, worldwide, that is 384
thousand born every day and 140.4 billion children born every year. Therefore
this is a slightly small sample which challenges the representativeness of this
documentary, however this documentary is completely valid as it is not bias, it
works through any practical, ethical and theoretical issues before the
broadcasting, which means the data is most likely to be very accurate. It is an
intensive and information documentary, which can also be used as an education
tool for first-time mothers. Overall, this is a very appealing documentary and
it complies with most of the codes and conventions of a good documentary.
Similarities
and Differences of Both Documentaries
Key
Differences
Similarities
|
Stalked
|
One Born Every Minute
|
Audience
|
Can be anyone
and can be watched with the whole family. However some scenes may not appeal
to young children.
|
Pregnant
women, fathers-to-be, or women who are planning a family. Can also be watched
by mature adults, as it contains adult scenes and language, not suitable for
young children.
|
Purpose
|
To entertain
people and to make them aware of cases like stalking, that exists.
Create
a sense of feeling and belonging, for those that have or are experiencing
similar issues.
|
To give an
insight into the experience and things women go through during childbirth.
Educate
other women, who may be considering of making a family.
|
Actuality
|
Very
real, there has also been similar cases reported to the police and news
therefore it’s very believable.
The victim
within the documentary is a known journalist.
|
Very
representative as there have been recordings of many similar situations and
is also a genuine part of life, therefore real to believe.
|
Accuracy
|
Partially
accurate, as there are not both sides of the
story, therefore causes it to be bias. However, had it showed the other side
of the story, it would have been more accurate.
Only shows one
real example, not a lot of experts to support the claims and statements made.
|
Very
accurate. A lot of people are aware of these types
of experiences and there have been a lot of recordings and footage to show
that the programme is not based on one women’s experience.
|
Objectivity/Subjectivity
|
Subjective.
|
Objective.
|
Opinion
|
Includes
people’s opinions, emotions, feelings and experiences. Tries
to create a real life picture, to show what really happened. This happens
through reconstruction.
|
Includes
opinions, interviews both from experts and individuals.
Archival
footage taken before hand and then footage of couple’s after the pregnancies,
talking about their whole practice.
|
Access
|
No
need for access, however during the reconstruction access must have been
granted to shoot in pubs, police stations, homes etc and also of any actors
used within the reconstructions.
|
100%
access was granted.
Access
permitted by the hospital and staff.
Consent
was given by participants, before recording and broadcasting.
|
Contract With The Viewer
|
Appeals
a lot to the specific target audience, the montage of the documentary drags
the audience in, and tempts them to watch it.
|
Appeals
a lot to the specific target audience, the montage of the documentary drags
the audience in, and tempts them to watch it.
|
