Errol Morris
...was born in 1948 in New York. He is a well known documentary making who mostly uses natural lighting when creating his documentaries. This is interesting as it shows his desire to create a natural piece of film, preventing anything artificial. Again, this links to what we are exploring "Do we capture or shape the truth?" He is also known to ask a broad question to his subject and leave the camera rolling. From this he has seen how someone can pour their heart out on camera not even taking into account that it is there (natural vs performance)
Ali G method
Ali G is a well known character that everybody knows for his documentaries which seem to be taking the mick out of who he is interviewing. Before interviewing, Sacha Baron Cohen would dress up as Ali G and set up where the interview would take place. From first impressions the person being interviewed would assume he is just someone on set not knowing he would actually be taking the interview. Ali G would quickly ask a few warm up questions whilst setting up making them rethink their prejudice of believing someone else (because of how he is dressed) would be taking the interview.
The Office
Is a fictional sitcom series created by Ricky Gervais first broadcasted in 2001. Although it is fictional and scripted the sitcom does take the form of a documentary. It creates a quite amateur style of documentary or a in other words a: 'mockumentary' with zooming in to create the narrative. The characters are also aware of the camera's presence.
SO!
Who are the key characters in our documentary?
- Kyreece (Ali's nephew)
- 5 civilians
- Ms Louis; a psychology and science teacher
- Dopamine 'addicts' Khalum, Andrew, Aidan....
- Mr McCalley; a psychology teacher
What strategies would we use to ensure our subjects do no 'perform' for the camera?
