1. What makes a good documentary? Shocking Informative New
information (ground breaking) Entertaining Depth Range of footage
Different medias used
2. Modes of documentaries Reflexive in which the film maker
acknowledges their presence they are in front of the camera and
give some narrative guidance. Observational being there as events
unfold these documentaries tend to follow a person or event and
document their journey as it occurs. The camera remains as
un-obstructive as possible allowing their audience to make up their
own mind. Expository an analysis and exposition of a person or
topic. For example Michael Moore exposes society to forms of
political corruption. Participatory the participatory mode welcomes
direct enggment between filmmaker and subject(s), the filmmaker
becomes a part of the events being recorded.
3. Meerkat Manor
4. Plot / Theme / Message The show follows several groups of
meerkats, who act communally for the benefit of the groups in which
they live. These groups are typically led by a dominant female and
male, who maintain almost exclusive rights to have offspring
5. Documentarian Behind the camera narrated by Bill Nighy.
Observastional.
6. Camera Compositions Extreme Close Up Night Vision Point of
View Long Shot Establishing Shot Close up Two Shot Wide Angle
Shot
7. Interview / Voiceover Techniques There is no interaction
between the subjects of this documentary series, the meerkat
families, and the narrator, Bill Nighy. Sound is manipulated at
times to encourage certain emotions from the audience, weakening
the voice over and using intense music prominently, to make the
audience nervous for events to come.