First Out of Africa - Sky Vision Documentary Research

By Jodie O'Neill

Overview

• The documentarian is trying to deliever the message of the different lifestyles that exist. He is trying to demonstrate the contrasting areas of the modern world and the lifestyle of this particular African Tribe.

• The nature of this documentary is expository and observational, as the audience are being educated on the lifestyle of this tribe.

Sound

• At the very beginning of the documentary, a voiceover is heard while the images on the screen show the location of the majority of the documentary, being the jungle. Natural environmental sound is included while the documentarian is speaking.

• The female scientist is speaking over the archive footage of a previous documentary that was made seventy years ago. There is no added music as it would not be suitable nor would match what the scientist is describing.

• Translation is used where needed.

Mise en Scene

• Costume is relevant to the subject matter. There is a contrasts between the clothing of the Western individuals and the African tribe.

• The location is correct for the subject matter. The location swaps from a formal setting back to a more natural setting.

• There are no deliberate props used, however, natural props are used by the tribe and interviewees which match their position in the documentary.

Editing

• In some areas of the documentary still photographs are on the screen while moving images are placed over the still shot. This helps to display the situations of the past and present into one.

• The duration of most shots are quite long as the camera needs to remain focused on the person speaking. The speed of shots increases while new events appear.

Camera

• Shot reverse shots are used while the scientists are debating and discussion the genes of the African tribe. This helps to show the expression on each persons face.

• The camera pans over the opening of the long piece of paper, creating an interesting atmosphere, as the audience want to know what is written on the piece of paper.

• There are lots of establishing shots of the African location. The camera zooms away from the female scientist while she is on the sand. This relates to the tense atmosphere as she is not gaining any new discoveries.

Camera

• Shot reverse shots are used while the scientists are debating and discussion the genes of the African tribe. This helps to show the expression on each persons face.

• The camera pans over the opening of the long piece of paper, creating an interesting atmosphere, as the audience want to know what is written on the piece of paper.

• There are lots of establishing shots of the African location. The camera zooms away from the female scientist while she is on the sand. This relates to the tense atmosphere as she is not gaining any new discoveries.