Hello A Level!

Hiiii blog!!!

Long time no see. I'm in A level now hooray! I am really excited for what this year has in store, and so far I have been enjoying my time in Media Studies. 

In October we started studying and watching and different documentaries in class. Through the next four blog posts I will be detailing the process of both analyzing and producing our own documentaries :)

In Class Viewings: 

Abstract: The Art of Design (2017): 

The firs doc we viewed! We viewed one episode in class (Ruth Carter - costume design) and one episode of our choice at home (Ian Spaltar - Digital Production Design). 

Abstract is an episodic doc that documents how different creative processes (such as illustration, graphic design, photography etc.) and their leading designers and artists from across different creative fields shape the world around us. To develop this, the documentary uses impressive visual and auditory techniques: 
• Animation/ graphics: When the interviewee is talking/explaining something relevant and important to the episode, but it's something they have no B roll of, a lot of the times they include little animations or animated graphics. They helped me to visually understand what was being spoken about. 

• Music/sound: Music was very prominent in the two episodes I watched. It matched the vibe of what was happening/being spoken about. Which helped evoke the emotional impact of their creations.

I was really overall really drawn into both episodes because it was visually engaging and an it interested me overall!!

American Promise (2014): 

Wowww the idea of this documentary is so crazy (in a good way). It's a  piece that took 13 years to put together! It follows Idris Brewster and Seun Summers, two middle-class African American boys, as they navigate life in New York at a predominantly white private school (Dalton School). The piece explores themes of race, class, and identity.

 “American Promise” achieves a verité look. For example, there's a scene where Idris was opening up to his parents about how he felt about his race, and his struggle to fit in socially at Dalton. The camera holds on to the conversation, capturing the raw moment. The decision to hold the shot in silence and not cut away immediately to an interview really forces you to sit with what Idris is saying and feel discomfort at the question. Which is typically what one does when in a conversation with another person. The camera also zooms into Idris' face, which really allows the viewer to see what he is feeling. To me, it felt like I was in his room with him, watching him. 

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010):

This is a Banksy-directed documentary about a French immigrant, Thierry Guetta. He follows and films different street art/artists, where he met famous street artist Banksy. In a fast turn of events Thierry transforms into street art sensation "Mr. Brainwash", where the lines begin to blur between true creative authenticity, and the commercialization of "art". Banksy uses editing, narration, and camera style to shift how viewers see Thierry. In the beginning of the documentary, Thierry is shown through amateur shaky, handheld shots with fast cuts that make him seem like an energetic, curious, and passionate person simply documenting street art. As he evolves into “Mr. Brainwash,” though, the tone changes. The editing slows down; the music, Banksy's interview, and narration become ironic. These changes showcase Thierry as someone who has lost the “purpose” of street art and is instead caught up in fame and the business aspect. By the end when his gallery is shown, the documentary makes it feel ironic, showing Thierry’s change from an appreciative admirer to a shallow self-promoter. 

Op-Docs: 

The New York Times Op-Docs are a series of short opinionated documentaries.

Weekend Visits:
The op-doc "Weekend Visits", records an incarcerated mother's extended visit with her child at a reunification house in Virginia. This offers an inside glimpse into the difficulties of an incarcerated mother with a son. The documentary quietly observes their interactions, hope and tensions, and gives us a look into the difficulties of parenting and being parented when incarceration comes in between. Visually, the op-doc uses a very quiet observational style. This includes steady framing, natural lighting, no commentary/voiceover, no interview, allowing the viewer to focus on the small details in a way that feels natural. Instead of making the viewer feel like an obvious outsider, it creates more of a sense of intimacy. Additionally, the sound in this piece makes a big difference. The documentary does not include any non-diegetic sounds. The natural sound combined with the dialogue of the mom and her son chatting creates intimacy as well. There is also no interview, which allows the day to progress and  breathe on its own, especially the quieter moments that let the audience sense without having to state. The techniques used in this op-doc caused me to feel from comfort to discomfort in a subtle way: comfortable in their bond, uncomfortable in the conditions they were in. 

"Where Am I From?"
This short documentary follows a media artis, Nouf Aljowaysir, as she discusses the question of her identity with A.I., specifically the question of where she is “from.” We see her revisit childhood locations, examine memories, and how they all answer the question “Where am I from?” The piece highlights moments of connection and disconnection, also emphasized through the A.I.s responses to what Aljowaysir says. Visually, the documentary uses a mix of close-ups (faces, hands, objects) and medium/long shots of a landscape or city, with different graphics. For example, the graphics represent the A.I. trying to make sense of the visuals. With boxes detailing what it thinks is “inside”. The A.I. could represent us as the viewers, not really understanding what Aljowaysir is describing. My reaction to the op-doc was a bit emotional as it hit close to home. I can relate on a personal basis to what Aljowaysir’s felt (I've moved four times). The gentle pacing and natural sounds made the story feel personal, like a heart to heart.