Analysis of Documentary

Horizon: The Lost Tribes of Humanity

This documentary represents one half of the hybrid genre signified in our own documentary. That genre is anthropology which studies the elements of human behaviour. In order to connote the importance of the genre to the target audience this documentary has used a variety of camera techniques to signify not only its genre but intrigue behind it as well. The camera movements, shots and angles are remarkable in the sense that they offer an active audience inspiration. The reason behind this is due to the fact that in order to signify the importance of this genre the camera work has to be so incredible that it inspires a modern day demographic. Through the use of various camera techniques e.g. establishing shots, variation in close up shots, aerial shots, low – angle shots and your pans and tilts.   Both ‘inspiration’ and ‘escapism’ offer the same end result which is self – satisfaction.

These camera techniques give the documentary a more meaningful and exciting purpose supporting them which enables this documentary to really capture the primary audience’s engagement. If you analyse one of these techniques in more detail, for instance: the variation in close ups it is true to say that they channel the target audience’s focus and engagement towards the direction in which the documentary is heading. Therefore, through the use of these camera techniques certain documentaries do have the ability to inspire demo and psychographics, which in turn, this achieves the documentaries goal. This is due to the philosophy behind documentaries which is to not only inspire but to provide informative, excitable and desirable engagement for their target audience. This ethos in which this particular documentary is connoting through its camera work and how it’s displaying its representation through this; can potentially link in with two audience theories. One being Blumler & Katz’s Uses & gratifications theory as you could translate the concept of ‘inspiring’ to ‘escapism’ because that is exactly what the audience is searching and in need for.

The second theory coming off of the previous one is that you could argue this particular documentary tie in with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The reasoning behind this is linked with the ‘self – satisfaction’ need that transpires into the basic human need which is at the bottom of Maslow’s Hierarchical pyramid. Therefore, ground – breaking camera work is required for audiences viewing documentaries – and this one in particular – because it provides the demographic with excitable engagement.

Moreover, another camera technique that is conventional of

documentaries and in this one in particular is the Rule that is conventionally followed. This generic convention is of course the rule of Thirds. It is demonstrated when the narrator is breaking the fourth wall and, more importantly, when interviews are taking place. Interviews within this documentary are a convention of not only documentaries generally but especially this genre as well. Interviews help audiences understand certain elements and genres like this one; this factor does come in handy as there is a lot to comprehend. The rule of Thirds aspect is present when interviews take place as it gives the footage a much more cleaner, elegant and professional feel to it. As a result, this affects the documentary and gives the illusion that the documentary is the same. This is exactly what demographics like due to Steve Neale’s genre theory because it suggests audiences enjoy “repetition” in media texts. These conventions are what turn a decent doc into a good documentary. When highlighting the Rule of Thirds element it is important to note that it makes the shot look interesting and realistic at the same time – which is exactly what documentaries aim to achieve because the sense of realism is crucial as there is supposedly nothing but truth behind documentaries and are absolutely factual. In addition there are various uses of not only deep focuses but shallow focuses too in order to describe in a literal sense that the documentary is indeed important.

The editing elements of a documentary are just as significant as the camera work. The editing techniques ensure the smooth running of the documentary by metaphorically aiding the narrative in its progression. In this particular documentary, the majority of editing transitions are indeed cuts because that is how the human eye cuts and therefore gives the sense of ‘realism’ and a realistic truth behind it. Although, there are a few examples of cross dissolves embedded into this documentary in order to connote the movement of time – especially in this typology of genre the progression over time is exactly what they’re trying to illustrate. The juxtaposition of human behaviour of a thousand years ago and today’s time. Another editing technique to note is that all the shots are short takes in the attempt to make the documentary more exciting. This is achieved by implementing numerous cutaways to aid the audience in their understanding of the concept being narrated at the time. The clever matching of visuals and the VO again, helps the demographic comprehend and contemplate the insightfulness the documentary is providing.

Furthermore, another generic convention of editing transitions within documentaries is displayed through the use of shot, reverse shot; due to the fact that interviews are a convention of documentaries and this one in particular, this editing technique is a convention of interviews. Thus making it a generic convention of this documentary. The purpose of this editing technique is to allow the target audience see characters reactions to certain elements. Also, another editing transition that has been implemented is a graphic match. This has been done in order to connote a clear link between two different scenes; possibly due to the connection between the subject matter (connection between various human species). This connotation has significant meaning behinds it supports the very foundation of the documentary and what it's regarding.

In this documentary, the mis-en-scene is essential when connoting the significance of the genre. Take the costumes of the presenter for instance, she is wearing travelling gear and adventurous, outdoor jackets in order to emphasise the movement and progression of humans over the years. Another, mis-en-scene convention is the choice of location. In this documentary all crew fly all over the world, for example: Germany in order to really set the tone and atmosphere of what they’re narrating about. The apprehension behind good location choices and why it is vital is simply down to how good the documentary would appear and how big the budget was. Audiences often think the bigger the better... Therefore, a variety in location choices will appeal to your target audience.

The sound aspect in any documentary is vital because it is used to convey information excitement. In this documentary there are a lot scenes located on the seaside near caves where exhibitions are taking place regarding anthropology. The ambient sound helps the audience get a feel for the atmosphere and provide them with the realistic sense that creates a documentary. Through the clever use of ambient sound it enables this documentary to offer their target audiences the sense of realism that they’re looking for. In addition, diegetic sound is part of this realistic use of technique in order to connote that the documentary is factual and true. One convention of documentaries and which this one demonstrates is the presenter and narrator directly addressing the demographic and breaking the fourth wall. This is considered a generic convention due to the fact that the documentary needs to communicate the sense of realism and truth through not avoiding the audience and not pretending like they’re not there – when in fact they are very much there! Therefore, in terms of conventional sound techniques, this documentary has followed it by the letter which in turn attracts a large primary audience.

Also, the tone of voice used in the voice over when narrating is critical as it engages the audience. The intonation in the presenters voice is utilised well, especially at the correct moments and therefore engaging an active audience.

The subject of anthropology has been represented through various technical elements mentioned above. Take editing; through the use of cross dissolves it illustrates the passing of time connoting the changes in human behaviour over the years. This subtle technique creates a large impact on the audience’s experience when viewing the documentary and therefore the subject and genre has been represented through this technical element.

The target audience will be engaged by this documentary, as it is extremely factual based and very insightful regarding human behaviour. Not only due to its content but the amazing camera work incorporated has to be praised and will be by audiences viewing it. The establishing shots always grabs the attention of an active audience, as they’re just simply outstanding. Therefore, the target audience will be engaged by this particular documentary.

In relation to Angela McRobbie’s theory it is difficult to identify where it can be applied. The reason for this is because it is challenged to such an extent that it is the complete opposite of what the theory suggests. The theory supports the view that women are stereotyped into roles and are subject to manipulation. This just simply isn’t the case with this documentary as the protagonist (main presenter) is indeed a female. She is a confident narrator and does seem to be intrigued herself by the subject of anthropology. The boundaries of the stereotypes, in regard to McRobbie’s theory are stretched to such an amount that the concept doesn’t even exist within this documentary.

The narrative structure is determined by the producer and partially by the presenter herself. The presenter’s clips are subject of the structure behind the narrative as it cuts in and out and keeps referring back to the presenter. In particular the presenter is often referred back to when she is explaining a diagram displayed in order to illustrate the variation in human species.  The scene is dispersed throughout the documentary and this is typically known as a ‘thread’ in order to give the documentary stability in terms of the narrative structure.

The audience’s reception when viewing this particular documentary will be well received as it provides the target audience with what they’re looking for. The audience reception can be easily identified by associating it with Richard Dyer’s Utopian Solutions Theory; this is due to the fact that the theory suggests audiences experience media texts to gain perfection which they can’t obtain from their real lives. Subsequently specific media texts can offer “utopian solutions” to audience’s problems. In this case, audiences could view this documentary to solve their problem of lack of knowledge. So their main problem is and this documentary solves this by offering insightfulness. In addition, in order to categorise audience’s reception to this documentary it is important to consider Young and Rubicam’s Audience Classification System. The reason being is that Y&R suggest that all audiences can be classified by their different personalities and behaviours. This can be applied to this particular documentary as a very specific demographic will view it. The type of category that will influence this documentary is the ‘explorer’ as this particular demographic requires new experiences and likes discovering things – exactly what this documentary provides by uncovering the secrets of human behaviour.