Friday 23 January 2015
Audience & Market research
Audience & Market Research
My audience is of a younger generation, because by my results I have discovered that they are most familiar with legal highs, and by watching the news night special, I have found that young people are the most likely to use legal highs because they are more optimistic about their safety when consuming drugs and alcohol. My target audience will be aged from 13-20.
These are my results for my documentary survey. As shown, I can see the percentages for the yes and no answers. For example I can see that most of my audience have heard of legal highs. My second question is answered on a scale rating from 1-10 (1 the lowest, 10 the highest) and averaged out at 6.2 out of 10, which means 62 per cent of my audience find my documentary idea to be interesting. The results I have received from my documentary will be used as part of my quantitative research.
Production Research
Production Research
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tMGNRqgxWiA
This is a video from BBC's Newsnight which describes and explains what legal highs are and how they are gaining a reputation. In this video we can see several production techniques which used within this short documentary.
- Cutaways - Cutaways are a vital part of filmmaking, in this documentary they are all used to match the topic that the narration is discussing, and to cut from one scene to another.
- Match cuts - Match cuts are used to show a different angle, but remain in a chorological order. We see match cuts during interviews and presentation.
- Jump cuts - Jump cut are used to edit a piece of video, so that the film is shorter without missing any crucial moments, they are often seen when a person is doing a task or physical movement.
- Fast motion - Fast motion is when a piece of film is sped up. This effect is sometimes used to represent a busy environment.
- Voiceover - Voiceover is used to give the audience a narration while the presenter or actor is off screen. This is done in the editing process, when an audio file is place over a video file.
- Interviews - Interviews are used in news reports and documentary films. Interviews are a primary way to receive information. The over-the-shoulder is most frequently seen in televised news interviews.
- Graphics - Graphics shots are usually seen in higher budgeted productions. This my be used to show a diagram or an animated recreation.
Primary Research
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgJb3NYBzTo&feature=player_embedded
This is a video I found on YouTube. In the video we see a man and women sat on a sofa. The man has taken a legal high, this video shows us the effects of him getting high. The man shown seems out of focus when interacting with the people around him, when a friend asks him "Is your mind running over time?" he pauses slightly and replies "Yeah". This is my observation of the events which took place, which is a form of primary research.
Unit 3.2: Secondary Research
In this assessment, I will discuss the different forms of research, for my documentary; including Primary, Secondary, Audience, Market, Production research and a interpretation of my results.
Documentary Synopsis:
My documentary is about legal highs, legal highs are substances to create similar effects to illegal drugs, but are not yet controlled under the misuse of drugs act 1971. My documentary will be ‘a day in the life documentary’ that will follow a friend who buys and talks about these new drugs, and learn his reason for taking them, where he gets them, and what are the positive and negative effects of taking them. This documentary will question if the drugs are safe, for instance legal highs are advertised ‘not for human consumption’, they are often sold as incense, salts or plant food to get round the law.
Secondary Research:
My secondary research has been taken from internet searchers and online newspapers.
This is a news article from 'The Telegraph'. The article gives their audience information about legal highs such as, their legal status, the dangers and a first hand reflective viewpoint of a previous user. The ex users states that legal highs are "more addictive than herion".
This is a webpage from www.talktofrank.co.uk which gives information about recreational drugs, the page in particular informs and explains the risks and effects of legal highs, and also gives us the background of the drugs, what they are, and where they came from. From this article I have learned that some legal highs contain illegal substances and that the side effects may include, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headaches and tiredness. This webpage can also be used as qualitative research because it is text based.
The Drug
This is an article from the UK Berliner newspaper 'The Guardian' and has been posted onto their webpage http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/05/legal-highs-criminology-drugs-clubbing
The article is an interview by Kit Buchan which questions professor of criminology Fiona Measham about the latest drug trends; including Legal Highs. She recalls how she would encounter drugs while she was at bars, clubs and festivals across the country, she shares her experiences, about some of her friends taking them and the effects it had on their behaviour. She has also stated that she runs a charity called the loop that helps people with drug issues and self harm.
This article is from the tabloid newspaper 'The Mirror' which informs the reader of the problems the UK faces with legal highs. The photograph shows a man under a bridge injecting legal highs into his arm, during the same time a young family walks past, in the image we appear to see a young boy staring at the male under the bridge. This is shown to get an emotive response from the reader, and shows the possible fears an perceptions that the general public has about legal highs.
The article further goes on to explain that when interviewing the drug user he could not speak properly, his speech was incoherent. His friend told the newspaper that he was high on a drug called 'Blue Cheese'. This shows that the tabloid used qualitative research to receive information about the drug and used primary research to learn the effects of taking legal highs.
Blue Cheese (Pictured left) is a legal high which contains synthetic cannabis mixed with an energy drink. 'The Mirror' claims that Blue Cheese is on sale in shops'. While it is true that Blue Cheese is sold in shops, the newspaper fails to mention that only stores with licencing can sell these types of drugs legally, which has been documented in my production research.
On this webpage http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/shocking-extent-britains-problem-legal-4462286'The Mirror' has interviewed ex users and people who have been effected by legal highs.
The friend of the pictured user told the newspaper: "I was a heroin addict for seven years, injecting it everyday. It ruined my life but these legal ones are so much worse."
This interview is a form of primary research that the newspaper has done, because I'm researching their work my research becomes secondary.
The newspaper further addresses the dangers of using legal highs. 'The Mirror' interviews Graham and Angie Evill parents of a legal high drug user. Angie Evill states "I have lost my son. My grandkids have lost their dad. He's more addicted to legal highs than he was to heroin. Whenever the phone rings I think that's it, he's dead." This interview is effective because it's a observational account of an addiction to legal highs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKqgoBEW1cg&feature=player_embedded
This YouTube video shows protesters targeting a legal high store in New Zealand. The are protesting because they feel that it is unsafe for legal highs to be around their children. This video gives us an example of how people are divided about the legalisation of drugs. Because this is a clip from a news report, it because secondary research because I haven't found this information by myself.
Documentary Synopsis:
My documentary is about legal highs, legal highs are substances to create similar effects to illegal drugs, but are not yet controlled under the misuse of drugs act 1971. My documentary will be ‘a day in the life documentary’ that will follow a friend who buys and talks about these new drugs, and learn his reason for taking them, where he gets them, and what are the positive and negative effects of taking them. This documentary will question if the drugs are safe, for instance legal highs are advertised ‘not for human consumption’, they are often sold as incense, salts or plant food to get round the law.
Secondary Research:
My secondary research has been taken from internet searchers and online newspapers.
This is a news article from 'The Telegraph'. The article gives their audience information about legal highs such as, their legal status, the dangers and a first hand reflective viewpoint of a previous user. The ex users states that legal highs are "more addictive than herion".
The Drug
- Has at least one Legal substance.
- Produces similar effects (highs) to illegal drugs.
- Advised 'Not For Human Consumption'.
- Sold under brand names such as 'Clockwork Orange'
The Effects
- 'Downers
- Psychedelic and/or hallucinations
The Risks
- Vomiting, Headaches, Flu and Sore throats.
- Anxiety, Paranoia and confusion.
- Illegal to drive under the influence of legal highs.
This is an article from the UK Berliner newspaper 'The Guardian' and has been posted onto their webpage http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/05/legal-highs-criminology-drugs-clubbing
The article is an interview by Kit Buchan which questions professor of criminology Fiona Measham about the latest drug trends; including Legal Highs. She recalls how she would encounter drugs while she was at bars, clubs and festivals across the country, she shares her experiences, about some of her friends taking them and the effects it had on their behaviour. She has also stated that she runs a charity called the loop that helps people with drug issues and self harm.
This article is from the tabloid newspaper 'The Mirror' which informs the reader of the problems the UK faces with legal highs. The photograph shows a man under a bridge injecting legal highs into his arm, during the same time a young family walks past, in the image we appear to see a young boy staring at the male under the bridge. This is shown to get an emotive response from the reader, and shows the possible fears an perceptions that the general public has about legal highs.
The article further goes on to explain that when interviewing the drug user he could not speak properly, his speech was incoherent. His friend told the newspaper that he was high on a drug called 'Blue Cheese'. This shows that the tabloid used qualitative research to receive information about the drug and used primary research to learn the effects of taking legal highs.
Blue Cheese (Pictured left) is a legal high which contains synthetic cannabis mixed with an energy drink. 'The Mirror' claims that Blue Cheese is on sale in shops'. While it is true that Blue Cheese is sold in shops, the newspaper fails to mention that only stores with licencing can sell these types of drugs legally, which has been documented in my production research.
On this webpage http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/shocking-extent-britains-problem-legal-4462286'The Mirror' has interviewed ex users and people who have been effected by legal highs.
The friend of the pictured user told the newspaper: "I was a heroin addict for seven years, injecting it everyday. It ruined my life but these legal ones are so much worse."
This interview is a form of primary research that the newspaper has done, because I'm researching their work my research becomes secondary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKqgoBEW1cg&feature=player_embedded
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Documentary Idea: Codes and Conventions
My documentary idea is a day in the life documentary about a personal friend who use to experiment with legal highs, my documentary will feature many codes and conventions which are commonly found in documentary films and programs.
Voice over- This method will be used as way to shape the story of the documentary together. In my documentary my friend will provide the voice over, this is because we can understand his perspective while the observational footage is playing.
Observational Footage- A code and convention which is found in factual programming such as news reports and documentary's, this is used in factual media because it is not fabricated or rehearsed, and gives the viewer a first perspective of a person or event. In my documentary I will use a lot of observational footage because my documentary is a human interest story, as well as a factual study into legal highs.
Interviews- Interviews are a method of research, but can also be used to inform an audience, my documentary will have interviews with Kurt Barratt the documentary main subject, but will also have interviews with the owners of the "chemical research" stores, and some vox pop interviews with the general public. Most of my interviews will follow a semi-structured format.
Cutaways - Cutaways are shots which are used in between interviews and the presenters narrative, these cutaways can be used to set a scene or to visually express the theme of the subject. I will use cutaways in my documentary to establish the town of Ashton-under-lyne and to give my audience the visual idea of my documentary.
Match Cut - A match cut is a series of shots which create a sequence, filming from different angles, but are choreographed in the same time frame. I will use this when filming in or outside the legal highs shop.
Jump Cut - Jump cut's are used in long shots, a jump cut means a long distance shot with a moving object or person which has been cut, and has made a 'jump' in time, this was first used by post war french filmmakers.
I will be using the sequence during a long distance shot.
Tracking shot - Tracking shots are used to follow a person from any angle without cutting, These shots are proffesnally done on a track, hence the name. Many popular filmmakers such as 'Martin Scoresse', 'Stanley Kubrick' and 'Alejandro González Iñárritu' use this technique. I am going to use this as my opening sequence to the film, which will also include voice over.
Voice over- This method will be used as way to shape the story of the documentary together. In my documentary my friend will provide the voice over, this is because we can understand his perspective while the observational footage is playing.
Observational Footage- A code and convention which is found in factual programming such as news reports and documentary's, this is used in factual media because it is not fabricated or rehearsed, and gives the viewer a first perspective of a person or event. In my documentary I will use a lot of observational footage because my documentary is a human interest story, as well as a factual study into legal highs.
Interviews- Interviews are a method of research, but can also be used to inform an audience, my documentary will have interviews with Kurt Barratt the documentary main subject, but will also have interviews with the owners of the "chemical research" stores, and some vox pop interviews with the general public. Most of my interviews will follow a semi-structured format.
Cutaways - Cutaways are shots which are used in between interviews and the presenters narrative, these cutaways can be used to set a scene or to visually express the theme of the subject. I will use cutaways in my documentary to establish the town of Ashton-under-lyne and to give my audience the visual idea of my documentary.
Match Cut - A match cut is a series of shots which create a sequence, filming from different angles, but are choreographed in the same time frame. I will use this when filming in or outside the legal highs shop.
Jump Cut - Jump cut's are used in long shots, a jump cut means a long distance shot with a moving object or person which has been cut, and has made a 'jump' in time, this was first used by post war french filmmakers.
I will be using the sequence during a long distance shot.
Tracking shot - Tracking shots are used to follow a person from any angle without cutting, These shots are proffesnally done on a track, hence the name. Many popular filmmakers such as 'Martin Scoresse', 'Stanley Kubrick' and 'Alejandro González Iñárritu' use this technique. I am going to use this as my opening sequence to the film, which will also include voice over.
Wednesday 7 January 2015
BBC News At 10: Codes And Conventions
The BBC news uses codes and conventions to structure their broadcasting. The news uses this structure as a template to their show.
-Headlines: One of the main code and convention in the news, the headlines are the biggest news stories, which are usually hard news and the most important, hence why they are mentioned first.
-Voice over: A voice over is most commonly used as a form of storytelling which allows the video footage to run over the reporter, voice overs are usually heard at the beginning as way to establish a story before the location reporter is shown.
-Sports Headlines: A form of soft news (news which is lighter in tone and slightly less relevant) Sports headlines are featured at the end of the broadcast, unless their is currently a major sports event such as the Olympics or the world cup.
-Graphics: Graphics are used to illustrate a story in a visual way. Their are usually found in the titles and during stories that are presented in the studio.
-Cutaways:
-Location Reporter:
-Studio Reporter:
-Archive Footage:
-Witness Interview:
-Expert Interview:
-Observational Footage:
-Headlines: One of the main code and convention in the news, the headlines are the biggest news stories, which are usually hard news and the most important, hence why they are mentioned first.
-Voice over: A voice over is most commonly used as a form of storytelling which allows the video footage to run over the reporter, voice overs are usually heard at the beginning as way to establish a story before the location reporter is shown.
-Sports Headlines: A form of soft news (news which is lighter in tone and slightly less relevant) Sports headlines are featured at the end of the broadcast, unless their is currently a major sports event such as the Olympics or the world cup.
-Graphics: Graphics are used to illustrate a story in a visual way. Their are usually found in the titles and during stories that are presented in the studio.
-Cutaways:
-Location Reporter:
-Studio Reporter:
-Archive Footage:
-Witness Interview:
-Expert Interview:
-Observational Footage:
John's Not Mad - Analysis
John's not mad is a human intreast documentary. That was commissioned by the BBC in 1989. The documentary follows the a sixteen year old teenager who has full blown Tourette syndrome. The documentary film has many codes and conventions which are essential to create structure for the duration of the film.
The film opens with an interview with John, who is the films central focus because the documentary follows his daily lifestyle and how Tourette's effects his life and the other lives around him. During the interview john describes how he feels, living with the his disability. The interview is a semi structured format which is a code and convention for an interview format. The voiceover then enters into the film. A voice over is a code and convention of filmmaking, a voice can used to tell a story or information about a person or a subject within the film, this method is most commonly used as a form of storytelling. The voiceover is done by a female presenter, the documentary has uses a female presenter because their voice can come across as synthetic and motherly, which is used to effect because of the sensitive subject matter of the film. When the film tells the audience about the facts and statistics about johns disability, it is voiced by an expert, which is interviewed later in the film. The expert in a documentary film is also known as the"voice of god" because they are sharing direct information with the audience. The expert voiceover is also a male, the use of a male voiceover maybe be used because it's sounds instructive and authoritative. The documentary uses lots of observational footage, this footage shapes the documentary and is used in between the interviews. Observational footage is used frequently because this documentary is a human interest story.
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