Unit 16: Factual Production
Learning Aim A
Sectors
Television
There are various forms of factual programs that exist on television. Here are some common types:
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Documentary: These programs comprehensively and often educationally explore real-life events, people, or topics. They can cover various subjects, such as nature, history, science, politics, etc.
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News Programs: News programs deliver up-to-date information on current events worldwide. They may include news reports, interviews, panel discussions, and analyses of political, social, economic, and cultural issues.
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Reality TV: While some reality TV shows are purely entertainment-focused, others aim to document real-life situations or experiences. Examples include competitions like "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race," as well as shows that follow the lives of individuals or groups, such as "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."interviews, and narrative storytelling to bring history to life.
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History Programs: These programs delve into the past, exploring historical events, figures, and eras. They often employ archival footage, reenactments, expert interviews, and narrative storytelling to bring history to life.
Examples
BBC News [News Program]
Our Planet [Documentary]
Radio
There are different forms of factual programs that exist on the radio. Here are some common types:
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Interviews: Radio interviews feature discussions with notable individuals, including experts, authors, celebrities, or newsmakers. These interviews provide insights into the interviewee's work, opinions, and experiences.
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Podcasts: Podcasts provide a platform for independent creators, journalists, experts, and organizations to produce and distribute their own factual programs. They offer flexibility in terms of content length, production style, and niche topics.
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News Programs: Like television, radio has dedicated news programs that provide current events, breaking news, interviews, and analysis. These programs keep listeners informed about local, national, and international news.
Examples
BBC Radio [News Program]
Impaulsive [Podcast]
Cinema / Documentary
In cinema, factual programs or films typically fall under the category of documentaries. Documentaries are non-fiction films that aim to educate, inform, and explore real-life events, people, places, or social issues. They can take various forms and styles, including:
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Feature-Length Documentaries: These are full-length documentary films that typically run for an hour or more. They delve deep into a specific subject, providing in-depth exploration, interviews, expert analysis, and storytelling.
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Short Documentaries: Short documentaries are typically shorter in duration, ranging from a few minutes to half an hour. They cover a wide range of topics and often focus on highlighting a specific aspect or telling a concise story.
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Nature and Wildlife Documentaries: These documentaries focus on the natural world, showcasing wildlife, ecosystems, and environmental issues. They often feature stunning cinematography, scientific exploration, and educational narratives.
Examples
Fahrenheit 9/11
Blackfish
Podcast
There are various forms of factual programs that exist in the podcasting world. Here are some common types:
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News Analysis: Podcasts that provide in-depth analysis and commentary on current events, politics, and news stories, offering insights and different perspectives.
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Personal Stories: Podcasts where individuals share personal experiences, stories, and anecdotes, covering various topics from travel and relationships to overcoming challenges.
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Investigative Journalism: Podcasts that conduct investigative reporting and expose stories on various social, political, or cultural issues, often involving extensive research, interviews, and storytelling.
Examples
The Daily [News Program]
The Daily [Personal Stories]
Codes and Conventions
Presentation of facts/version of reality through realism:
In factual films, presentation of facts/version of reality through realism is often included and featured through the use of dramatisation. By carefully adapting the original source material and incorporating realistic dialogue, scenes, and characters, filmmakers can create a compelling and accurate portrayal of real-life events.
Dramatisation:
Dramatisation is the act of turning a story into a play or movie. It involves adding dialogue, scenes, and characters to create a more engaging and entertaining version of the original story. Dramatisation is often used in adaptations of books, historical events, and biographies to bring the story to life on stage or screen.
Narrativisation:
Narrativisation is the process of turning real-life events into a compelling and coherent story that can be presented through various mediums such as film, literature, or theater. It involves adapting and shaping the facts to fit the narrative structure while still maintaining accuracy and authenticity.
Presenter-led:
One way to include a presenter in factual films is to have them introduce the topic and guide the audience through the information presented. The presenter can provide context, insights, and interviews with experts to enhance the audience's understanding of the subject matter. It is important for the presenter to remain objective and not sway the audience's opinion with their personal beliefs or biases.
Use of experts/witnesses:
One way to include expert witnesses in factual films is by featuring them in interviews. These interviews can provide valuable insights into the subject matter and add credibility to the film. Additionally, the use of archival footage and documentation can support the expert's statements and provide further evidence for the film's claims.
Use of interviews:
Interviews are a crucial component of factual films as they provide first-hand accounts and insights from individuals involved in the subject matter. These interviews can help to add depth and context to the story being told and provide a human perspective that may be lacking in other forms of media.
Use of actuality footage:
Actuality footage is often included in factual films to provide viewers with a visual representation of the subject matter being discussed. This footage can help to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the viewer, and can also provide additional context and information that may not be conveyed through interviews or narration alone.
Use of archive footage:
Archive footage is often included in factual films to provide viewers with a visual representation of the subject matter being discussed. This footage can help to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the viewer, and can also provide additional context and information that may not be conveyed through interviews or narration alone.
Use of factual genres:
Factual genres are often included in factual films to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the subject matter being discussed. By presenting facts and information in a clear and concise manner, these genres can help viewers to better grasp complex topics and issues. Additionally, factual genres can help to create a more engaging and immersive experience for the viewer, by combining interviews, narration, and other forms of media to create a well-rounded and comprehensive portrayal of the subject matter.
Format of Programming
Documentary
A documentary factual program is a type of film or television program that presents factual information on a particular subject. It typically involves interviews, expert opinions, and other forms of media to provide viewers with an in-depth understanding of the topic at hand.
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Expository documentaries are the most common type and are often used to educate viewers on a particular subject.
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Observational documentaries, on the other hand, aim to capture real-life situations as they unfold.
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Reflexive documentaries are often self-reflective, exploring the process of making a documentary or the relationship between the filmmaker and the subject.
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Performance documentaries focus on the performance of a particular subject, such as a musician or athlete.
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Poetic documentaries are more subjective and often focus on the emotional or sensory experience of a particular subject.
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An infortainment documentary is a type of film that combines elements of both entertainment and information to create an engaging and educational experience for the viewer.
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An educational documentary is a type of film that aims to inform and educate the viewer about a specific topic or subject. It often presents factual information in an accessible and engaging way, using various storytelling techniques and visuals to keep the audience interested.
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A wildlife documentary is a specific type of educational documentary that focuses on the natural world and the animals that inhabit it.
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A special interest documentary is a type of film or video that focuses on a particular topic, theme, or subject matter. These documentaries are often created for a niche audience and explore specific interests or issues in great depth.
In my opinion, among the various documentary formats, expository documentaries are the most popular. This is because they focus on a particular subject that can attract a diverse range of viewers.
Legal and Ethical Issues
Compositional Balance
Compositional Balance in factual films refers to the arrangement of visual elements to create a sense of balance and harmony. It is significant in factual films because it helps to create a visually pleasing and cohesive film.
Impartiality
Impartiality in factual films refers to presenting information fairly and unbiasedly, without taking sides or showing favoritism. This is significant because factual films aim to inform and educate viewers, and presenting information in an impartial way helps to maintain the credibility and integrity of the film. It also allows viewers to form opinions and draw conclusions based on the information presented.
Objectivity
Objectivity in factual films refers to presenting information in a neutral and impartial manner, without any personal biases or opinions. This is important because factual films serve the purpose of educating and informing viewers, and presenting information objectively helps to maintain the film's credibility and integrity. It also allows viewers to form their own opinions and draw their own conclusions based solely on the information presented, without any undue influence.
Subjectivity
Subjectivity refers to personal biases or opinions that may influence the presentation of information in factual films. It is important to avoid subjectivity in factual films because it can compromise the credibility and integrity of the film and mislead viewers.
Opinion
Opinions refer to personal biases or subjective views that may influence the presentation of information in factual films. It is important to avoid opinions in factual films because they can compromise the credibility and integrity of the film and mislead viewers.
Bias
Bias refers to personal prejudices or subjective views that can influence how information is presented in factual films. It is essential to avoid biases in factual films because they can compromise the credibility and honesty of the film and mislead viewers.
Libel and defamation
Libel and defamation refer to false and damaging statements about a person or entity that are communicated to others through various forms of media, including factual programmes. These statements can harm the reputation of the individual or entity in question, and can result in legal action. It is important for factual programmes to avoid libel and defamation by ensuring that all information presented is accurate and supported by evidence.
Privacy
Privacy refers to the right of individuals to control the use and dissemination of personal information about themselves. In factual programmes, privacy is significant because it is important to respect the privacy rights of individuals and not disclose sensitive or confidential information without their consent. Failure to do so can result in legal action and damage to the reputations of both the individuals involved and the programme itself.
Representation
Representation in factual programmes refers to how different groups of people are portrayed and presented in the content. It is significant in factual programmes because it can impact the perception and understanding of these groups by viewers. Accurate and diverse representation can help promote understanding and empathy towards different perspectives, while inaccurate or harmful representation can perpetuate stereotypes and contribute to prejudice and discrimination.
Checking and verifying sources
Checking and verifying sources is a crucial step in ensuring the accuracy and credibility of information presented in factual programmes. This process involves confirming the reliability and authenticity of the sources used to gather information and facts presented in the content. It is significant in factual programmes because inaccurate or false information can mislead viewers and damage the credibility of the programme.
laa: CORE ASSESSMENT
I selected this podcast featuring Molly Mae because she is a well-known female influencer who gained popularity from her appearance on Love Island. Additionally, she has amassed a significant following. She is the most successful Love Island contestant of all time and is in a relationship with the renowned boxer Tommy Fury. Given her massive audience, this podcast is an ideal evaluation candidate. This video is a podcast/interview, as there are microphones for audio recording, and the presenter asks the guest questions about her life, creating an interview-like atmosphere.
Molly Mae's interview was completely natural and coherent regarding codes and conventions. There is no element of dramatisation or narrativisation as it was in the moment, and she told the story. Her responses were based on her experience with Love Island and post-Love Island. This podcast/interview of Molly Mae is presenter-led because there is someone we visibly and audibly see asking her questions about her experience and, before the interview, gives us an outline of who Molly Mae is so the viewers know who is being interviewed. This podcast/interview also has an expert/witness, which is Molly Mae, as she is the one speaking about her own life rather than having someone use archival footage to speak about her. I know this because, in her interview, she gives out honest reasons why she went on Love Island. She says she wanted to "elevate her career" This is effective as this response is personal, and the fact that she reveals her real thought process will incline more audiences to follow her story. This approach is proven to be effective as it attracts a larger audience to the film. When popular individuals give interviews, giving information about them that we don't know, it often results in an increase in viewership.
Regarding formatting of programming, this podcast/interview would be classified as a special interest program that explores the life of Molly Mae and her experiences on Love Island. The show's popularity among younger audiences makes it a relevant topic to discuss, especially given Molly Mae's status as the most popular islander in the show's history. The podcast/interview is aimed at a niche audience, particularly the younger demographic that follows Molly Mae's journey. The Diary of a CEO aims to attract Love Island fans by linking Molly's name to the show.
This interview portrays a good level of legal but not a great representation of ethical considerations. Based on the responses that Molly gave in the podcast, she says, "It gave me a platform, yeah it elevated me, but the things I've done now are not because of Love Island, they're because of me and what I decided to do and my work ethic." This comes across as an opinion as she thinks that being on Love Island helped her build her career. Even though this is an opinion by her, people may flag this as subjectivity and bias because they may disagree with her opinion. This may be because they never heard of her before Love Island and that her success is largely because she appeared on the show. It is possible that this statement made on the podcast could be considered libel and defamation, as some may perceive it as a false claim. Many individuals believe that Love Island played a significant role in the success of the speaker's career, as evidenced by the comments on the video. Some believe that attributing success solely to personal work ethic is unfair to other Love Island contestants who may not be as popular. Additionally, the speaker is being criticized for seemingly disregarding the impact of the show that provided her with a substantial following. However, some people may agree with her opinion as ever since she left the Love Island villa, she has been in various brand deals and businesses and has amassed a net worth of £6 million only at the age of 24. Therefore her opinion may be seen as unbiased by some of the audiences.
Learning AiM B
Proposal
The brief states to make a factual production between 2-4 minutes, targeting an audience of 16-24-year-olds. In response, I will make an expository & educational documentary that will shine a light on Exam Stress and how students cope during the exam season. The type of documentary that I am doing is expository, as I aim to target the audience on a topic that is affecting them the most, mentally and physically. It is also educational as I aim to educate the audience on stress and methods of how to manage it. This is an excellent topic that deserves attention as it will engage the target audience because they are typically inclined to media products that are relatable, also because exam stress affects the target audience the most and is aimed at them, which deems my topic successful.
The genre for this video will be a real-life short documentary which will feature opinions of students who are currently doing their exams, speaking about their experiences. The video will showcase shots of my actors speaking about their experience with exams/coursework in the qualifications of either A Levels or BTEC. I will be the voice for the voiceover and will read out the secondary sources like stats and facts from various websites that link with my topic. And I will have some presenters educating the topic to the audience. There will be two presenters speaking the topic, backed up by statistics. This will showcase impartiality and objectivity as the information will be from trusted sources that have real-life polls and surveys backing up the information said in my video.
With regard to legal and ethical considerations, all music used for this documentary will be non-copyrighted. That way, I wouldn't get copyright strikes and risk my documentary being taken down. Ethically, I will make sure that the documentary is presented as sensitively as possible, as this is a serious topic that is affecting the vast majority of students in the UK.
Sources
Primary Sources
Interviewees: I have decided to use interviewees to provide unscripted and genuine responses for my documentary film. This approach will connect with the audience, as they may share the same feelings as my interviewees. As a result, my media product will be perceived as reliable and relatable, which will encourage viewership.
Presenter / Voiceover: As this is a documentary, it is conventional that there should be a presenter for this. I will get two presenters to educate the the audience about this sensitive topic. As well as a presenter, I will be a voiceover of me reading secondary sources data to which will be projected on the screen.
Secondary Sources
Audio: Through the use of sound, I will use audio to convey the mood of the video. The music that I will put in the video will be non-copyrighted, this will be so that I won't put my media product at risk of getting a copyright strike.
Statistics / Data: I will use statistics and data to help my video have a good reference to my topic. I am taking a poll conducted by the Association of School and College Leaders regarding a report on exam stress in schools. I will add these statistics to my establishing shots, so the audience can see a bit of the environment while looking at the screen's captions. Here are the references I will be using for my factual film:
Planning
Location Recces
Shot List
Script
Equipment Bookings
Risk Assessment
Shooting Schedule
Storyboard
Sound Log
Shooting
Video Log