Celebrating Black History Month Analyzing Media

What defines Documentary? A broad category of film or television show that attempts to “document” some aspect of reality Non-fiction (true), un-staged Presents “life as it is” or “a factual film that is dramatic” Can use various methods such as observation, interviews, narration and has an artistic element Attempts to inform or get us to think about an issue in real life

Purposes of Documentary: Portray real life Focus on an issue or truth Attempt to: bring about awareness of an issue inform or teach record, reveal or preserve analyze, interrogate persuade, promote engage

Analyze Media A documentary is a nonfiction film that gives viewers information about important people, major events, significant discoveries, or historical places. Documentaries use specific techniques to help viewers understand the information. The film-maker’s message for the viewer to take away from the film The film-maker may want you to agree with his/her position

Evaluating a Documentary Bias We trust the film-maker to be objective (unbiased) and seek the absolute truth As viewers, we need to ask the question: Are film- makers fair to each side of the argument? Atmosphere Mood or tone of each scene or interview or overall film What kinds of techniques are used to create atmosphere?

Documentary Filmmaking Techniques turn to page 319 Interview: People being filmed speak directly about the issue, events, etc. Experts, people who knew about an event or person, person who was involved in an event Why did the film maker choose this person?

Footage: filmed material about a subject Footage can include film clips news reports photographs interviews Think about why the footage was chosen.

Voice-over: the voice of an unseen speaker explains the footage or gives important facts Does the speaker change? What points being made by the narration seem important? a

Sound effects: Listen to the dialogue. Does music signal a change Sound effects: Listen to the dialogue. Does music signal a change? Do sounds help you understand the subject? How? Why might a documentary include sound effects?

Get ready to evaluate a civil rights documentary Label your paper documentary. 1. Subject What is the message? 2. Footage – Why was the particular footage chosen? Was there a bias? Was any important footage omitted? 3. Techniques Voice over Sound effects

Watch the video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuySLMAhskU

Collaborative Conversation With your group, discuss how the documentary presents an inside view to child labor conditions. What was one specific example of a filming technique you noticed in the documentary? What was the message of the documentary? Record your answer on your white boards. Each group should be ready to present. Cite evidence or specific examples to support your ideas.

Time to Shine

3. What social issues does this documentary touch upon?