Supersize Me Documentary analysis

Type and themes of documentary• This documentary is mixed as the main character/narrator always acknowledges

the camera.• Mixed documentaries are popular in the news as they present a variety of view

points.• The themes of the documentary include:• Dieting/health• Healthy eating• Fast food• Personal regards to health

Narrative structure• “Supersize Me” is a linear documentary as it is in chronological order. • The Narrative Structure is open as we don't know what McDonalds did after the

documentary was finished and how/if they made the changes/kept to the promises made in the documentary. We also do not know if Morgan Spurlock lost the weight after the filming was finished and did he get back to his old, healthy self.

• The documentary could also be seen closed as we get to see the full 30 days of Morgan eating McDonalds and are able to see the affects that it has upon the body.

Camerawork • The “Zoom in and out” shot is used to show full detail of the food and locations.• A “Pan across” shot is used in the lunch room to and show what food the kids are eating

and to also show the full room.• A handheld camera is used throughout the narration scenes to make it seem as natural as

possible and to also create a POV effect.• “Wide angle” shots are used to show the audience everything so that they do not miss

anything.• “Media close up” shots are used in interviews to make sure that everything is fitted in

frame and that room is left for text of name/occupations and titles.

Mise-en-scene• The main mise-en-scene is mainly filmed in McDonalds itself.

Sound • In the documentary both diegetic and non-diegetic were both included.• The diegetic sound used in “Supersize Me” is; the voices of the interviews, the

background noise, in McDonalds and other location. • The non-diegetic sound used in the documentary is; the McDonald’s propaganda

as it was an energetic and upbeat advert to show the audience how McDonalds draw in younger customers.

Editing• “Supersize Me” uses cuts throughout to ensure the documentary stays as natural

and realistic without long transitions.

Archive• For Archive “Supersize Me” uses images on the screen displaying “ Perfect body” in

order to try and persuade the audience to stop eating fast food.

Graphics• The graphics used on the documentary are the occupations of the interviewee’s,

closing credits tells us what happened to interviewee’s after the documentary finished.