Derek Deconstruction

7/28/2019 Derek Deconstruction

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Quick Background info

Derek Is a British Comedy Mockumentary

It stars, is written and directed by Ricky

Gervais - It was produced by Ricky Gervais's

Production company, Derek Productions Ltd

First Aired on 30th January 2013

Gervais plays a 49 year old socially awkward

care worker, in a home for the elderly. He isextremely vulnerable due to his childlike

nature and is often taken advantage of.


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The very first shot of the first episode:

Establishing shot to set the scene for the entire show. Establishing

shots are extremely common at the beginning of a documentary

so it would only make sense for a mockumentary.

Calm yet happy music portrays innocence. Bright sky shows

positive atmosphere.

Slow calm jump cut transitions throughout.


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Close Ups:

Many close ups of the elderly in the carehome, quickly gives the setting of the

media piece.

Portrays to the audience extremely

quickly the pace of the "Documentary" so

the slow and happy pace won't be a

shock to anybody.

The close ups (the same as the last shot)get the audience to see the characters

and relate to them.

There is a voiceover from Derekthroughout (the audio from the previous

interview) this is very common in

Documentaries so it is also used in

mockumentaries to make it more

believable


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Shakey and jerky camera, shows unexpected shot and having to adjust the camera quickly.

Makes it more believable, could possibly be a real documentary.

allows the audience to see the unpredictability of the situation/character


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Shot of Hannah caring for elderly woman:

Angled down to show not a strong dominant character

shows care and compassion

Reinforces the pace of the piece


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More shaky shots:

During a small

misunderstanding

Camera man not sure who to

have the camera on.

Creates the illusion of reallife when actually fictional

drama.


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Simple Title Sequence, as its supposedly a documentary it should show any crew or cast members, that

should be left to the end.

The simpleness complements the simple mindedness of Derek


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Planned interviews:

Calm steady camera

Warm lighting - Gives an inviting effect that will anchor the "Real life feel" of the mockumentary

Shows face and uniform - Shows that it was a planned interview and the staff are respectable and

trained


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"Planned Shots":

Focused properly

Framed properly

Steady Camera

All of these are supposed to get across that this could be a real

documentary and are trying to make it seem as realistic as possible with

the transitions between "planned" and "unplanned shots"


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Use of zoom on the camera:

Shows being unprepared.

If expected to have close up of frog prop, would have started zoomed in on it.

Unplanned

Derek Deconstruction

Documents

Transcript of Derek Deconstruction