Codes and Conventions of Factual Programming
There are a lot of different forms
of factual programmes. Magazine shows, talk shows for example The Jeremy Kyle
Show, chat shows such as the Jonathan Ross show, reality TV like Big Brother,
documentaries e.g. Frozen Planet and TV News bulletins like Sky News.
These types of factual programmes
are consumed and broadcast in many different ways, on TV, cinema release, DVD
and the Internet. The focus of this essay will be on film and TV documentaries
and on TV News programmes and the conventions of each of these different
sub-genres.
For example TV News programmes need
to have, a main reporter that runs the programme in a formal unbiased manor,
field reporters that are on location adding information, interviews with
contributors and experts, images and raw footage, studio based with the
presenter sat behind a desk and giving factual information.
Whereas documentaries are slightly
different, they all use facts to persuade the audience of the filmmaker’s opinion.
They are also split into different types of documentary. Expository has a main subject and uses images
combined with voice-overs to give information, for example, they have a variety
of footage and the main opinion portrayed is of logic. Observational is based
purely on a subject with no voice-overs or interviews, just footage, for
example Blue Planet. An interactive documentary is where the subject is
interactive with the crew and is made up mainly of interviews combined with
footage and voice-overs, for example Louis Theroux.
These types all present the facts to audiences differently, they do of
course, all aim to present a ‘realistic’ film/programme, but also like
fictional programmes/films create a narrative, with a beginning, middle and
end, to tell a story to the audience.
There are a number of issues we need to consider when watching and
making factual programmes these are accuracy, objectivity and subjectivity.
Factual programmes should be accurate and truthful because it is
important that they are not misleading the audience with false information and
accusations. For example in Morgan Spurlock’s super size me he made sure he was
being accurate, by constantly using statistics as well as having his health
tracked by 3 different doctors to prove that McDonalds is unhealthy. The reason
for this was so that McDonalds couldn’t take action against him, as they
couldn’t argue with the statistics he used, as well as the weight he gained.
When comparing accuracy between TV news programmes and documentaries there is
quite a difference. News programmes have to be completely accurate as they are
passing on stories to the public; there is no opinion involved. Whereas
documentaries are not always completely accurate as the filmmaker can use
elliptical editing to twist statistics to work in their favor. For example in Michael
Moore’s Fahrenheit 911 he uses selective editing with a clip of George Bush on
Bin Laden saying, “I didn’t spend much time on him.” Which most likely is not
the whole clip as Bush probably said more on the subject.
The audience expect factual
programmes to be objective, impartial and balanced because they want to hear
unbiased, factual information which shows both sides of the story so that they
can make there own opinion on the subject. TV news bulletins especially need to
be objective as it is about informing the audience about news. The presenters
need to be trustworthy and unbiased to allow the audience to decide their own
opinion. For example Norman Smith, who
is the chief political reporter for BBC News, always has to be objective when
reporting. Even if he were reporting on a really shocking scandal in parliament
he would not give his opinion on the subject. This is because his job is to
pass on the information, not to make judgement. Most documentaries will try portraying
an objective point of view however the majority will be biased, as it will be
the filmmaker’s opinion. In Michael Moore’s ‘Bowling for Columbine’ he tries to
show a balanced view using elliptical editing. He does this by intercutting
between two scenes, Charlton Heston giving a pro gun speech at an NRA rally and
the father of one of the victims of the columbine disaster giving an anti-guns
speech. Moore does this to show both sides of the story and give the audience a
balanced perception of what is going on. TV news programmes and documentaries
differ when being objective as news must be un-biased so the audience can decide
their own opinion, Whereas documentaries are always going to be somewhat biased
because the main opinion is of the filmmaker.
All factual programmes are
subjective as they are expressing the opinion of the filmmaker. Documentaries
try to show that they are being accurate to get the audience on their side. In
Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 911 he uses elliptical editing again to show his
opinion. He does this buy selectively editing together clips of George Bush on
holiday. Whilst showing clips of Bush playing golf and relaxing Moore is giving
a voice over saying how Bush was on holiday when he should have been doing
something about 911. This is supporting his opinion of Bush not knowing what he
is doing. However we know that this wasn’t necessarily this case, as he would
have been working hard most of the time. In Comparison TV news programmes and
documentaries differ in subjectivity, as documentaries will often portray the
filmmaker’s opinion.
The news that we receive is
represented differently depending on what news station you are watching. They
are represented differently as each station will have a different target
audience. For example CBBC Newsround is aimed at a very young audience. The
types of stories covered show this as they are mainly about sports and other
topics focused on children. The presenter is also very casually dressed and
uses a soft voice. However, BBC Three 60 seconds is aimed at an older audience
of about 16-25. The types of stories covered are very much celebrity orientated
with a few big stories from around the world. The presenter is dressed informal
which will draw in the desired audience. Whereas News at 10 is aimed at an
older audience so the stories differ. The news stories covered in this are
mainly related to war and political and economical issues. The presenter and
field reporters are smartly dressed, speak formally and look professional.
The three case studies I used were
Morgan Spurlock’s Supersize me, and Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 911 and Bowling
for Columbine. Spurlock is an expository filmmaker whereas Moore is more
interactive. In supersize me Spurlock is constantly using statistics whilst
having his health tracked by 3 different doctors to show accuracy. Moore also
used loads of statistics to show accuracy. In bowling for columbine he shows
the audience just how easy it is to get a gun, by doing it himself. Spurlock
tried portraying himself as objective by speaking to public as well as fast
food reps to show both sides. However he was being subjective throughout as the
main opinion portrayed was his and he was selectively choosing statistics that
supported his opinion. Moore is similar in this way as he was showing both
sides in Bowling for Columbine, the pro guns and the anti guns, to try and be
objective, however throughout Fahrenheit 911 and Bowling for Columbine it is
his opinion that is portrayed. Moore mainly uses elliptical editing to back up
his points.
TV News is generally objective
whereas documentaries are generally subjective. News needs to be true, accurate
and impartial as their job is to relay information to the audience without
giving their opinion on the story, so that the audience can decide their own
opinion. Documentaries on the other hand do not have to be impartial as they
are also going to be subjective because of the opinions of the filmmaker. The
styles of the case studies are very different in some ways very similar. Moore
is very much about using loads of statistics and facts to prove he is right
whereas Spurlock tries to prove that he is right through visual aids. I think
the target audience for these documentaries are the mainstream audience that
don’t have their own opinions on the topics covered so these filmmakers try
push their opinions on to them.
