1. Celebrating Black History Month
Analyzing Media

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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?

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

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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

11. Watch the video…

12. 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.

13. Time to Shine

14. 3. What social issues does this documentary touch upon?