Major Project: Research-Fahrenheit 9/11

Major Project: Research-Fahrenheit 9/11

As part of my ongoing research, the next documentary I looked at was Fahrenheit 9/11. The notes I made on this film can be read below. 

• The documentary starts by asking a question.
• We are somewhat eased into the narrative.
• The story is driven forward by effective narration.
• Great use of music in this documentary. ALSO SOME NICE L-CUTS
• There is plenty of relevant stock footage.
• The narrator introduces each of the contributors and we have B-Roll of each of them before we see them.
• The narrator continues to talk to the audience and raises questions throughout the documentary.
• Photos are used when relevant clips onto available.
• The pacing is pretty consistent.
• Good camera angles that change regularly and a simple background for interviews.
• The lighting and some of the interviews needed more consideration.
• This documentary tells it how it is, it's clear and concise.
• We have some nice vox pops from Mrs Brown.
• We don't actually see a presenter until halfway through the documentary.
• Some of the interviews it clicked and cut to make a specific point.
• We have shown some quite shocking clips that help manipulate our emotions.
• We have a good range of perspectives present in this documentary.
• It's not immediately clear what the focus of the documentary is (apart from Bush).
• Vox pops could be slightly better directed/edited in order to drive the narrative.
• Lots of close-ups used throughout the doc.
• We see shots of people crying and being upset and angry.
• The documentary doesn't close by answering any questions, or summarising much in general.

Closing Thoughts

• Overall this was a really effective documentary but there is very little that we can take from it.
• It's definitely not the style we are after.
• Some great narration and a wide range of perspectives.
• It asks a lot of questions to keep us interested.
• The documentary had no real narrative arc.
• What do we come out of this documentary learning??? - Honestly not that much.

Overall relevance Score 5/10