- 1. Lara Croft
Documentary Analysis
2. Type of documentary
The type of documentary used on this particular episode is MIXED,
as game play, interviews and a voiceover is used all throughout the
programme.
3. Themes
The theme of this programme shows the progress of media, such as
feminism and how women are representated in the media, as lara
croft is a women and she is being betrayed as a strong women, this
is new to the media as she is being shown in such strong way and it
usually a male figure being shown this way. For example; the action
man and his muscles. This also shows the power of the media as it
made Lara croft a phenomenon.
Another theme of this programme is virtual VS reality, as the game
got made into a film this is bringing the idea closer to
reality.
4. Themes
5. Narrative Structure
The narrative structure is closed, as the programme doesn't leave
you on a cliff hanger, this is because this is not an ongoing
situation and it was filmed after the game and the film was made so
the public aren't exactly waiting for anything new to happen, it
has already happened.
Also the programme is non-linear, bits of interviews are all
chopped up so the relevant parts of the interviews are played all
at different times, they are not in order.
Lastly the narrative structure is single strand, this means that
the programme is all about one subject.
6. Narrative Structure
7. Camera Work
Extreme Close up, this shot was mostly used when the interviews
were taking place, this is because they want to make a dramatic
effect on the emotion used as the people being interviewed were
pretty emotionless, close ups and medium close ups were also used
when people were being interviewed.
When people are getting interviewed they are either to the left or
the right this is because there is then viewing space for the green
screen.
Tilted frame is also used as a documentary uses a mixture of shots
and it makes the programme more interesting to watch.
There is also a point of view shot when the game is being played
this is because it is like the audience is like playing the game so
they get a feeling what the craze is about.
Zoom is also used on the magazine headlines to make them more
interesting and appealing to the audience otherwise it would just
be boring and not appealing so in term the audience would loose
focus in the programme.
8. Mise-en-scene
A chromokey is used throughout the programme when people are being
interviewed, sometimes it is also being projected onto the person
who is being interviewed face, this adds more effect to the
chromokey, and it creates a sense of the computer game being
discussed. The images that were used in the chromokey was all
computer/gaming related, this because if people have just started
to watch the programme then they will know exactly the type of
documentary it is. Another point in why they used the images that
they did is because they are reinforcing the topic of programme all
the time so the audience doesn't loose interest in the
programme.
There is also stock footage used of the game so when people are
discussing certain parts of the game it can be shown to the
audience because not everyone watching it will have played the game
or remember certain parts of the game.
9. Mise-en-scene
10. Sound
They use dance music in parts of the programme this is because they
are connoting the game, as it is fast and upbeat.
They also use sound effects from the game, this is because again
some of the audience might not have played the game and dont know
what the sound effects on Lara Croft sound like.
Moreover, throughout the whole programme there is a music bed, even
when the interviews aretaking place, this is because when the music
comes in louder its not as much of a shock as music has been
quietly playing all through the programme.
The voiceover is a young male voice, his voice is neutral and it
ties all the elements together throughout the programme, the
voiceover is also part of the target audience (someone who has
played/plays the game).
Madonna is also played just as someone refers to Lara as being
Madonna, this is a clever technique as the audience may not realise
this but it ties the two together.
11. Sound
12. Editing
In this documentary this cuts are very quick this is because any
other effect will distract the audience away from the topic of
conversation.
Also the creator is put in a computer, this is because this singles
him out from anybody else who is being interviewed, there is also
special effect on the character.
There is also fast motion when the person is walking into a cyber
cafe, this is a common effect for when people are travelling, this
is because if it was normal speed then the audience would loose
focus in the programme but sped up its only about 2/3 seconds
long.
Also the programme kept returning to the same part of the game,
this is recurring motlife, they did this because this is familiar
to the audience and they wont loose interest because they don't
know what is going on.
In the programme game footage and film footage are played at the
same parts against each other, this is because it is kind of
suggesting which is more popular, the reality or the game
world
13. Editing
14. Archive Material
The archive material used is;
- Lara Croft game footage
15. Lara Croft the movie footage 16. Websites 17. Angelina Jolie
stock interviews, poster behind them, this is set up. 18. Magazines
19. Adverts 20. Nicki advert.Stock footage is used because it makes
the programme more interesting and when people are talking about
certain parts or the movie or the game it can be shown. Archive
material ties the whole programme together.
21. Graphics
When people are being interviewed their name and relevance to the
subject is under the face, the name is bigger than the relevance,
the text is white and plain, this is used because then the audience
know straight away who they are and what they are going to talk
about.
There is also a copyright on the nicki advert that thing.