Saturday, 15 March 2014

What locations are used for interviews and why?

Personally, I feel that the location of a documentary is generally quite important. It allows the audience to usually gain an idea on what the documentary is about (as the location usually reflects the story) as well as understanding the style and tone of the programme as a whole. Nonetheless, not all documentaries follow this approach - some may not focus on the locations as it might not reflect the story, or it is simply not needed.

Therefore, I have decided to research the location and background of a couple of documentaries particularly focusing on why they have been used for interviews, to gain an idea as to why they have been used particularly, and as to whether they are used to reflect to the story or not.

Sun, Sex & Suspicious Parents

Taken from SS&SP, Series 4 Episode 5
When looking at the image to the right, you can almost tell immediately (especially if you watch the programme and know what to expect) that the location where the character is being interviewed is based directly in the party streets of the resort the programmes based in (as the programme follows teenagers whilst they go on holiday to party etc). This is evident from the lights in the background which too help to tell an audience whom may not watch the programme where about's the interview is set. Additionally, this also allows some of the audience to create a deeper connection with the character's itself as the camera places you in the action with the characters, allowing some of the audience to relate to if they too have been clubbing abroad (considering this is aimed at a younger audience, as it is BBC 3). Therefore, the idea of using locations for interviews where the story is actually placed works effectively, as it makes you feel more connected with the story and environment itself.

Britain's Youngest Grannies

Britain's Youngest Grannies, BBC 3
Similar to SS&SP, this programme too purposely chooses its locations. As the documentary is focusing on 'grannies' so generally birth, the programme frequently uses shots including baby objects (i.e. the push chair which you can see in the image to the right) and of course babies themselves. Additionally, the programme is also often filmed in the character's houses - this initially hints towards the character's lifestyles thus allowing the audience to understand the characters more, making them feel more connected. Which therefore, shows how using objects/styles relating to the documentary issue and adding a personalised feel generally will influence the significance of the programme as the audience feel more connected and likely to discuss about the programme. Additionally, using this approach is much more effective compared to say a plain white background, for example.

Educating Yorkshire

Educating Yorkshire, Channel 4
Although this isn't a BBC 3 programme, Educating Yorkshire follows a similar approach to some documentaries shown on the channel. Despite this, this programme uses a different approach of background's for interviews. It almost combines the idea of following the school style by showing evidence in the background that they are in school but instead also creates a deliberate artificial focus on the interviewee. This is evident to the image on the right where you can see selective focus has been used to blur the background, creating a larger emphasis on the person being interviewed. This works effectively as when looking at the background you can slightly see a whiteboard with work on it - showing that they are still in school (or at least look like they are in school). Additionally, this idea reiterates the idea that the audience are 'watching' the students (as the programme is very observatory, evident from the fixed cameras around the school) hence the selective focus, which therefore reminds us that it is still related to school as well as maintaing concentration on what the characters being interviewed are saying.

Snog, Marry Avoid?


Snog, Marry Avoid? BBC 3
Also found on BBC Three, this programme follows a very different approach in terms of locations and interviews. The programme consists of 'dodgy' looking girls whose appearance are changed by a robot called 'Pod', where boys choose whether they would snog, marry or avoid the girl before and after her makeover. Minus the effects which make the shot seem like its coming from a robot eye, the general interview backgrounds consist of a plain, white background. This reinforces the idea that the girls are being interrogated by Pod for their looks, as well as helping to make them stand out as the background here is arguably completely pointless as it is all about the appearance of the girls. This additionally basically removes the idea of having a location as it is meant to be set in say 'Pods house' or 'lab', etc. Nonetheless, this idea of removing the location and having a plain background too works well on bringing all focus on the character, as well as acting almost like its a detective or interrogation scene because of the focus.

Conclusion


To conclude, all of these locations could work in our documentary. Because we are planning on having a montage at the beginning of our programme focusing on 'normal' people's heroes, the idea of a plain white and 'interrogating' background could be used to show that we are asking people questions.

Nonetheless, the more frequent location to be used would be the idea of personalising the documentary - welcoming our audience into their homes and more importantly showing how they are 'super fans' i.e. showing all of their collections of their heroes, etc. We are aiming to make the audience feel connected and inviting into our character's lives so that the documentary has a more personalised and furthermore discussable and effective approach.

However, the approach which 'Educating Yorkshire' uses too could be used - perhaps to focus on more important moments of our documentary (especially more emotive parts) in addition to adding a variety for our programme to reduce any potential monotony. 

Therefore, this research has allowed me to gain a better understanding on what types of locations we could use. As we are focusing on super fans, we could use iconic locations so that the audience instantly recognise what the story is about. For example, outside a concert where our fan may have first seen their hero.

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