Questionnaire

Above is a questionnaire that I put together as an easier way to gain feed back from students and other people to gain information to consider any ideas suggested that could improve the documentary.

The Final Documentary

Above is the final version of the documentary that I put together; it is about broken homes and how, if you are from a broken home it does not mean that you are going to fail in life, or achieve as much as a child that has been brought up in a nuclear family (the average or 'normal family'). I have also put it together in a way that if a viewer is in a similar situation then this video will hopefully motivate them to do well.


After showing the previous video to the class they had gave me some feed back and advice to where I could improve or alter the video, they are:

• There was mainly an adults opinion,
• Parts of the volume levels were different,
• Some of the cutting was not precise therefore the video did not run so smoothly.

After some more filming and editing I had especially concentrated on the rooms for improvement and tips that were given by the class. I had filmed again and this time asked a few students from the academy on their opinion of a broken home and what they would not do if they found themselves in that situation. I also concentrated on the volume and levels of music and vocals as well as the cutting and editing techniques in order for it to flow better.

Issues In Factual Programming Leaflet

Final Documentary

Above is the documentary that I put together; it is about broken homes and how, if you are from a broken home it does not mean that you are going to fail in life, or achieve as high as a child that has been brought up in a nuclear family (the average or 'normal family').

After showing this to the class I had gained some feed back on where I could improve:

• There was mainly an adults opinion
• Parts of the volume levels were different
• Some of the cutting was not precise therefore the video did not run so smoothly.

I had come to the conclusion that I would go back and re-edit and add-on where necessary.

Issues in Factual Programming

What is Factual Programming?

Real people and real events are used in factual programming; they are used in non-fiction programmes, this could be a programme of something that is looked back on or a current issue that has happened but actors are needed to 're-construct' what actually happened, this could be because the person affected does not wish to take part in the film but only to share there story, or it could be that it was so far in the past e.g. The bombings of The World Trade Center (Twin Towers) on September the 11th 2001.

This could lead to various problems and different opinions or biased views of the issues that directors come across relate to:

• Accuracy;  is an important issue as information may have been different in the past than in the present, and certain views may have changed from that year from law or moral views, for example if they were to do a survey on how many homosexuals adopted children in the 80s it will be different to the present, this is because the media view has changed and the moral opinions have changed and homosexual people have more rights than in the 80s. If the programmes producers used out of date survey results this could have an impact on the viewer (if the viewer was homosexual) they may feel exploited as if the producers are trying to influence the hetrosexual popularity to dislike or agree that homosexual people should not have or adopt children. In the present many people still have a wide range of opinions to this but homosexuals are allowed to adopt children so long as it is a loving caring home just like any 'normal home'.

• Impartiality;  this is simialr to being balance but instead of showing different views it has to show the different sides between the two (or however many are in the programme) this is done to make it less judgemental towards the viewer so they can make there own decisions.

•  Privacy; is a major part of the factual programme as this is what the producer could get sued for if views or opinions are changed so the viewer is looks at it a different way. This is a necessity for the production of the programme and are the peoples rules and regulations that have to be met, for example if the person has a story but does not wish to be identified then the producer will have respect there privacy.

• Objectivity;  this is when judgment given by the producer on specific things depending on what their target is set or what they are aiming to achieve.

• Subjectivity;  is when the producer makes sure that there is no opinion within the programme this then preventing the problem of it biased. An opinion is a personons view on a certain, topic, view, subject, issue or this can thenbe supported on different arguments that are based on the topic that is being highlighted

• Opinion; it is important that there is no overall definite opinion that the producer is trying to get across. So this has to be unbiased and all view pints are balanced. (for similar reason as Balance- above)

• Bias; is when there is an argument that has many sides, opinions and facts but when a group or one person has one belief and argues only that belief. In programming, it is very important that the arguments shown are looked at in different ways and shown equally.

• Representation; how the programme represents people is important, and the the producer has to be careful that this is done in a way that the viewer will not judge that particular people. This is done to also prevent putting people into groups (labeling) and stereotypes, this is to stop the documentary from becoming prejudice.

• Access; is important as to whether the producer has all the correct resources needed, and has access to these. This has to be planned in advance so the factual programme is created to a high quality.

• Balance; is making  sure that the director/ creators/ producer make sure that the factual programme shows both opinions/ views or sides of the argument/ statement/ belief that is presented, this is important as if one side was more dominant than the other then  the viewer may feel as if the producer is pushing certain views onto them. In order to prevent this from happening the producer needs to find the correct balance between both sides. An example that may cause a certain disruption within people is religion, if a non-religious person was watching something like a programme that argues each side of a religious persons life and a non-religious persons life but the religious persons life is highlighted more, then there maybe a slight annoyance or rejection felt by the viewer this could result in complaints to the broadcaster- if the majority of public feedback was negative then the broadcaster would lose money.

• Contract with viewer; the producer has to abide by what has been written and signed on this contract.This means that the producer will only deliver to what the viewers want, for example the producer will not exceed the age limit that is set. If they do go against the contract then the programme will more than likely not be aired and legal action could be taken.

One word- Short Phrases

Below is a few words and phrases that I am considering showing in a similar style as the Innocence video (post below)


Over Protective- Is it because I lost someone very close to me at an age where I never quiet understood life?
-I don't want to lose the ones I love most through something that could have been prevented
 
Scared- I would cry myself to sleep at night
- I am more aware of my surroundings when in new surroundings.

Insecure- Is it because I was always moving areas as a child?
- I can now adapt to new surrounding easily.

Bubbly- Am I lying to myself?
- I have every reason to be cheerful

Caring- Do I worry too much?
-I want the people I care most about to have the best and be the best they can be

Happy- Is it all a cover up of my true feelings?
-No there is always someone worse of than me, Smile about what we have in the present.


Proud- I was cooking and cleaning the house from the age of 13
- I can now look after myself and have the experience to care for my own home

Motivated- I would stay longer at school to stay away from home life
- I am now achieving top grades and doing what I love most

Negative- with positive outcome

Positive- with emotion/ experience

Innocence- Documentary/ Short Video

Innocence from Lady Eyes Films on Vimeo.

The video above is a short video on stereotypes and innocence.
This was an English project set by an English teacher and this was one of the students (Lesley) outcome.

I like the way the editing has been put  together, and the creativity behind it. This video makes people think and it also gets the audience thinking. This is something that I would like to do in my documentary. I like how there is no speech or narration, it is simple words and sayings that are easy to read and also effective.

The scenes are short but long enough to read, and the music accompanying the video also reflects the type of video and feeling that the audience should be feeling, it is also an inspirational song as it says how 'it takes time' and it makes it more relate-able as as the audience you will realise that you are not the only one and you are not alone.

I really like the idea of not talking so I may have a section of my video where it is something like this to help connect with the audience a little more, as if the audience reads it means they will have to think a little more that just listening to something. So they may find it easier to connect.

My Presentation

Documentaries on Prezi

Above is a presentation that I presented to the class describing: the basics of my documentary, what it is about, why I chose to do this topic and how it relates to me.

Music Choice

I have decided that I will want a song that will reflect the mood of the documentary, with its highs and lows. I want it to be acoustic or something easy to listen to so it does not drown out the person speaking or distract the audience from the actual documentary. I'd like it to be motivational in some way or at least fit the feel of the overall documentary.

I have found a few songs that I may use:

• Lacrime Di Giulietta by Matteo Negrin
• Motivational Piano Piece
• One Moment In Time- Whitney Houston (Instrumental)
• Ushio- Clannad (Short) 
• Nagisa- Clannad 
• Ambitious Girl by Wale (Instrumental) 

Letter of Consent

This is an example of the letter of consent I will be handing to people who take part in my documentary.

What is a Broken home?

I have come to the conclusion a broken home is not a family that only has one parent or if it has a step parent it is a family who has lost the communication and ‘bond’ with each other. I have decided this as my definition as there are many views on what a broken home is and this definition covers a the broad spectrum of the term ‘broken home’.

This is a letter of consent to participate in my media study, involving you as the public and your views and opinions of the following questions:

·       What is your understanding of a survivor? (From a 'broken home')

·       What is your understanding of a victim? (From a 'broken home')

·       What skills do you think you need to survive/-overcome barriers to difficulties both in your personal life and school life?

Gender: Male          Female                   Age:………

(Circle appropriate)                                                    (Optional)

Name………………………………………

(Optional)

Overcoming Barriers

Today to help out with the research and how to create this documentary I went to see Rosa from Learning mentors. We spoke for a while and speaking about my personal experience and with some professional views and opinions notes were taken on how to approach the correct question and what I personally done to overcome those difficulties. These notes were only short but this helped in how to link a various of sub topics, like school life and education, and how to ask the appropriate question.

Notes (these were notes taken on my personal experience and how Rosa viewed me or about what I should be asking)

• Decision to focus on education as a means on avoiding the responsibilities or home life
• Not making/ repeating the same mistakes as others around
• Role model
• Becoming the adult and taking responsibilities
• Self awareness
• Survivor or Victim?
• Victim= drugs, alcohol, smoking, negative
• Survivor= got through fine and in control of themselves (may smoke or drink but not excessively), they cried, got angry but they are out of it fine.
• Other people were priority above myself
• Learning from others
• Changing your way of thinking
• Negative or Positive (is there a link with the survivor/ victim )
• A survivor is someone who can cope in the face of adversity
• A victim is somebody who can not cope with the difficulties and turns to something like smoking/ drinking to help them cope

From these notes we developed a series of appropriate (draft) questions to ask the public:

What is your understanding of a survivor? (from a 'broken home')
What is your understanding of a victim? (from a 'broken home')
What skills do you think you need to survive/ overcome barriers to difficulties both in your personal life and school life?

Rough Plan

What am I trying to achieve in this short documentary?

I am trying to change the views of the stereotypical broken family and how if you are brought up in a broken home you can get somewhere in life. I am also trying to show that you should not judge anybody on appearance as you do not know about that person or how saying something will affect them.

What do I want the audience to feel/ gain from this documentary?

I want the audience to think about themselves and possibly change the way they think or view a broken family.
I would like the audience to gain some motivation to be able to do well on life no matter what background, family, difficulties, or religion they are from

How will I get the audience to feel/ gain something from this?

I will do this by asking a range of people a few questions, and then during editing I will weave the answers together into an almost motivational speech from the public. This will hopefully make people realise or see there life in a slightly different way even if it is for a short amount of time; they will hopefully feel better about themselves or what situation they are in, but at the same time they may be able to think about what people from a broken family have been through so they may feel sympathetic but also empathetic and this will hopefully create a small understanding so they will see the life they live as slightly better, or have a greater understanding of life and how to be the best that they can be.

Modes of Documentary

There are several modes of Documentary:

• Poetic Documentary

 A poetic mode of documentary is when it is put together in a way that it is a poem, words may not rhyme and there can be a rhythm or melody in the background. It is common for it to have some sort of harmony, and the poetic video will be put together in a way that all the points and objectives are put across through visuals but also through a clever arrangement of words.
For example the following documentary is about life in Brixton but it is done in a way that it looks at all of the different racial communities and the social diversity but also how they all blend well, it also talks about how the different ages get on and work well together.

• Expository Documentary 

 

• Observational Documentary

 

• Reflective Documentary

 

• Performative Documentary

My Story

The inspiration for my documentary

I am an 18 year old girl I have 3 sisters a Mum and a Dad now that's obvious, people see me as your average teenager bubbly, caring and maybe a little careless at times. But let’s go way back. This is my story. (Parts will be missed out for personal reasons)

I was born the 1st of November 1993, and clearly I am not going to remember life as a child, however I remember life from when I was as young as 7. At 7 or 8 years old my parents broke up, for reasons I cannot talk about, before I knew it myself my elder sister and my two little sisters were taken away from my dad and lived with my mum and told we were never allowed to see him again. (For future reference my elder sister Helen has a different farther to me) My mum moved us from what was once home to a new house, we were picked up from school one day and was told 'this is your new house', as if that was not enough for me a woman was also living with us, confused and young you just adjust. So this woman was my mums girlfriend, she was a nice woman we seen her parents as our grandparents; because my mum doesn't talk to hers and obviously I'm not going to see my dads. Me and my older sister didn't get on, if she did wrong I'd get in trouble and if I said it was her she'd then hit me, she didn't really think life was good, she moved out at the age of 14 (I was 10) she then lived with my mums side of the family but this is my story not hers, that is for another time.

Life was good; I guess I made friends with the kids in the street. Well around 4/5 (age 15) years later my mum broke up with her girlfriend and I had the responsibility of kicking her out, not because my mum couldn't but because I was the one who knew how to, I also didn't want to move out of Coventry as I had a boyfriend who was my support through the arguments and fights. Her girlfriend moved out and life was back on track... As you get older the responsibilities get greater; general house chores, washing-up, cleaning the animals, cooking dinners... My mum started to out often, she became tired during the week days after work, I took the role of looking after my younger sisters not because I had to but because I wanted to, the reason she was going out was because she then found another girlfriend...

So I guess I was looking after my sisters, the animals and the house kind of like the foundations of the family doing as much as I could from year 9 onwards, so juggling home life and school life was okay, then it was GCSEs too. Life was still good; in my eyes... I was allowed to have sleep overs and go out. But in return I was to look after my sisters so she could go out (the not so good life).

It wasn't until I was just turning 16 until I asked to see my dad, I was nervous as hell but surprisingly my mum wasn't so bothered. Seeing dad was weird and we went bowling it was good fun, and then after a few visits mum allowed me to take my sisters to see him.

I wasn't so shocked to find out dad had married but was going through a divorce when I first started to meet him, that was what hurt me the most, knowing my own dad had a wedding and I wasn't there to watch him on potentially the happiest day of his life. Well that's his story so moving on... 

Life was finally looking good I was then re-introduced to my dad’s side of the family, and that summer Dad and my Auntie Rose took us to the seaside. Going to see dad was my escape from home, I had little responsibilities but he misjudged me and probably to this day doesn't understand my way of thinking. That's because I would tell my sisters off for doing something wrong; like having silly arguments, keeping in mind that is what I done at home. I had to start reminding myself I am their sister not there mother.

(Fast forward a little- August 2010, just to keep you updated my mum is still with her girlfriend and I am still with my boyfriend from 2008 wow 2 years, such a long time)

Moving swiftly on, my mum then broke up with her girlfriend and this is when life started slipping downhill, I still had the roles of before but they started to become a problem... As if school wasn't enough I was also trying to keep my own relationship with my boyfriend a float, I was soon looking after him and running around for him, throughout the years we were on and off. I never wanted to lose him even if he did treat me like rubbish. I come to the conclusion that I only took so much from him because his mum was lovely and they were there for me throughout everything. This isn't a story of my relationship but of my family so carrying on.

I was late home one night, the next morning my mum had started to shout at me, yes I was late, by about 2 minutes, but that doesn't matter any reason to blame something on me because I screwed up. I had so much anger, disappointment, frustration built up due to a bad couple of weeks at home. That led to me answering back and eventually voicing out, I'm not going to go into the argument partially because I don't remember, and partially because I don't want to, but the words I can vividly remember saying are "Mum I know you're tired from work, I'm tired from school but you have three children waiting at home for you and all you do is go to your room or go straight back out, I understand you pay the bills but you do nothing as a mother, I cook, I clean I love you but I cannot raise your children"

I walked out. I moved into my dad’s and his new girlfriend had not long moved in too.

Life was really looking up, I finished my GCSEs of which I passed all grade A-C and I was just starting my A-levels.

(Fast forward to present/ One year later)

So I'm coming to the end I broke up with my boyfriend October 2011 but it was for the best, I am finishing my last year in Sixth form and looking at good grades, I have decided not to go to uni and carry on with presenting at the local radio station in which I should be looking to getting an apprenticeship with. If that doesn't happen then I am continuously looking for a job or an apprenticeship on the internet. I'm pretty sure it will though. I have a father that may not entirely understand me and his girlfriend may not be my mum, however I know they both love me very much and life is stable which is all I ever wanted it to be, and on the brighter side I have also got an lovely boyfriend and I know they say young love doesn't last, but I'm ready to prove them wrong. Just as I am continuing to prove that a broken family is not a bad place to raise a child, it is just not the best.

Something that helped me through those rough patches was knowing that there was always someone worse off than me. So be great-full for what you have, be yourself and not what others want you to be, society knows nothing, never judge someone on their appearance, there is no such thing as perfect and most importantly remember to smile, it might just make someone’s day.

Initial Idea

Is it true if you are brought up in a broken family then you can not become successful?

The Main types of Families

There are several types of families the most common ones are:

• The Nuclear Family

     This family consists of a the Mother, Farther and then however many children, this is known as the ideal family there is another term called The Cereal Packet Family this is when the mother is a housewife and the farther goes out and earns the money this is known as the 'perfect' family as this is what is shown on many averts.

• Extended Family

     This type of family is constructed on top of a Nuclear family. Many generations are living in the same household, for example the Grandparents, Parents and then there Children, this could also include Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

• Reconstituted Family

     This is more commonly known as a Step family or blended family, it is when the joining of two adults come together via marriage, civil partnership or cohabitation (when one moves in with another or they live in the same house) It is also the term for when the family has two mothers and no dads and vice verse. (Can also be seen as a Broken Family)

• Single Parent Family

   This is when a single parent looks after a child/ children more commonly known as a broken family. This could be due to a divorce of the parents, a break up or an unexpected death. Many debates have arose on the rise of the single parent family over the years, and this is involving the child's welfare and the child's future. This is the topic that I am planning on exploring. But I will also be comparing and contrasting to the other family types.

I done this research so i could get a rough knowledge of the other types of backgrounds so i could compare and contrast better.

Concrete Circus

Four Different Topics

BMX
Parkour also known as Free Running
Skate Boarding
Flat Riding

How the documentary is put together

• interview different people/ performers/ cast/ professionals to get different opinions
• interviews took place in different surroundings
• speak about life in general
• what they interested in/ how they started
• different shots of what they do
• introduction
• the interviews weave through one another
• inspirational
• narrator
• conclusion
• different views and opinions
• after effects
• there was an overall goal for each person
• they showed how they went about to get the goal
• was this goal was achieved?

Camera shots/ angles

• long distance
• dolly shots
• close ups
• extreme close ups
• video of surroundings before
• extreme close up
• follow the performer