Task One
Compare and contrast the News and Breakfast television
The news is a type of factual programming. It consists of
facts and statistics that are based on current topics that are occurring around
the world. The news has a contract with the viewers to portray news that is
accurate and real. In order for the News to portray information in a
professional manner, there are codes and conventions that must be followed.
BBC News is a factual programme that appears on BBC One. BBC
News airs factual information from all over the world within a studio.
BBC News includes
studio news readers that present the news. Studio news readers are usually seen
seated against a window with a city view. In this case BBC news studio
reporters are sat against a glass window, you can see researchers behind them,
this demonstrates that the BBC News team are hardworking and present up-to-date
news. Studio news readers have codes and conventions that they must follow. Studio
news readers are seen dressed in a professional manner. They usually wear
formal suits and sat down behind a desk. The focus is mainly on their upper
body instead of the rest of their body. Their professional manner helps the
audience have trust in them. They are usually seen with their hands on top of
the desk and also sometimes with their hands crossed, this is evident in the
example, this posture addresses power. This posture demonstrates to the
audience that the information they present is accurate and guaranteed to be factual.
Studio news readers always look directly towards the camera; this is because
they are talking directly to the audience. Also, they are a reading the script
which is displayed on a TV screen which is located next to the camera. The
studio news readers have neat haircuts, men have straight/combed hair and women
have short/tied back hair.
Field reporters also have codes and conventions they must
follow. Field reports also dress formal, however, depending on weather or
location conditions, field reporters are allowed to dress informal but must
still be respectful. You would expect to see field reporters presenting live on
air, this is because the focus is not on them but on what is going on around
them. You would see them often look at the subject of their report by looking
at them or interviewing them, this is to grab the audience’s attention. Field reporters
finish their report by saying “Back to the studio”. The studio news reporters
can also make reference to the field reporters by saying “Over to you”. The
links between them both must be fast and short.
Interviews are shot usually by an establishing shot and a
medium close-up. You can see the person being interviewed and the location that
is linked to them. We usually see cuts in-between interviews showing what is
being discussed as a visual aid, a voice over of the person being interviewed
would be played on top.
The experts behind BBC News are the researchers; they gather
all the information for a news report and ensure that all the information is
accurate. The witnesses are the people who are involved in the story and have
all the real facts, this is also known as actuality footage as the audience are
able to know what really happened.
Breakfast shows appear on TV in the morning, they are
broadcasted live. The usual air time is from 6am till late morning 12:30pm. Breakfast
shows air on TV for a long period of time so that the audience have plenty of
time to tune in. They focus on many aspects of media for example news, reports,
reality, lives of celebrities, sports highlights and weather. They present
important news but in a light hearted way. They are often hosted by a small
team, usually a male and female working together. Breakfast shows are targeted
at an audience of people who are getting ready for school and work.
BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One seven days a week; however, it
is aired for longer on week’s days, starting from 6am till 9.15. The reason why
it is on for a longer period of time on weekdays is because most people have to
wake up early either to go to work or because their children need to go to
school.
As you can see above, the presenters are sitting on a sofa;
this is an informal setting compared to the seating arrangements for the news.
The presenters are able to show more of their characteristics for example their
laughter and their own sitting posture but must still maintain a professional
manner. You are able to see more of their body, above you can see the woman’s
legs and the man’s sitting posture. The presenters are able to wear bright colours;
they are able to show personality traits. You can also see mugs, which could be
mugs of coffee or tea; the audience at home are likely to be doing the same,
sitting on the sofa drinking a mug of tea/coffee.
Conversations are lighter hearted and the presenters are
able to use humour. When presenting information, it must be factual but can be delivered
in various ways such as videos, commentaries and interviews.
Breakfast shows are broadcasted in a studio; the presenters
are sat against a window or a backdrop that shows the morning sky.
Documentary Formats
Documentary Format Expository
This format is used when speaking directly to the audience, by this meaning an authoritative commentator/voice over sharing a strong argument from their own point of view. Usually in this type of format, there would be a rich/deep male voice used. The commentators voice does come across as if it is the voice of God, the commentator shows a great deal of power in his voice and sounds omniscient. A lot of rhetorical questions are used in order to persuade and challenge the views of the audience.
An example of this format in action is Channel 4's Dispatches - 'Young, Nazi and Proud'. The documentary uses a rich/deep male voice as the commentator, the voice over has a great deal of power in his voice and is received in an authoritative manner. The purpose for that particular voice is to be able to manipulate the audience on their own views on this particular subject by the use of rhetorical questions and bias views. The aim of the documentary is to make the audience aware of an arising situation in the society of today as many people would be too afraid to discuss this subject openly. The documentary only shows interviews that support the subject of the documentary and in this case the BNP party.
Documentary Format Observational/Poetic
This format is used when the aim of the documentary is to simply observe lived live. However, there is little interaction and involvement with the subjects of the documentary. There would rarely be any commentaries, rehearsed dialogue or music as the main aim of the documentary is to show real life situations.They take on the fly on the wall format and their main aim is to show actual footage.
An example of this format in action is Channel 4's 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'. The documentary's main focus is to observe the life of groups of gypsies that are based around Britain. The Channel 4 production crew have little involvement in the day to day lives of the gypsies.There is a voice over used in the documentary, however, the voice over is not the main way of providing information. The documentary provides information to the viewers by showing the real life situations the gypsies go through without rehearsed dialogue. The documentary combines reality alongside facts and opinions, however, the gypsies may not always show their true self's as they are in front of a camera or because while editing parts may be cut out to protect the individuals privacy.
Documentary Format Reflexive
This format is used when you are seeing through the eyes of the filmmaker. You are able to see a relationship form between the filmmakers and the subjects involved. The film maker is usually the main character in their own documentary.
Examples of this format in action are 'Meerkat Manor' and 'Gorillas with David Attenborough'. 'Gorillas with David Attenborough' is a documentary that features David Attenborough, he is the main character in this documentary. You are able to see a relationship between David Attenborough who is the voice over and main character with the gorillas. In 'Meerkat Manor', you are able to see a re presentation of the life of meerkats. The documentary includes humorous aspects, each meerkat has their own name and characteristics.
Documentary Format Interactive
This format focuses on the engagement of the individuals without using classic interview styles. Past events are able to be discussed by witnesses and experts. The viewers are also able to be aware of who was involved in an event and their own views on the event instead of showing archive footage. You are able to see the film maker/interviewer featured within their own documentary.
An example of an interactive documentary is Louis Theroux's documentary called 'The Nazis'. You are able to see some of the codes and conventions of this documentary style featured in this documentary. Louis Theroux appears in this documentary as the main character and interviewer. He discusses the main topic of the documentary with his subjects. This documentary focuses highly on interviews and actual footage. The audience are able to have their own opinions and judgements towards the topic of discussion. However, there are times when within the interviews you are able to know what the film-makers opinion is.
Documentary Format Performative
This format is used when the focus of the documentary is on a subject that is emotional or out of the ordinary. It can sometimes be an emotional response to the world. These type of documentaries can be emotional and are designed to make audience aware of the certain experience as if they were facing it.
An example of this format in action is Alesha Dixon's documentary called 'Look but don't touch'. Alesha Dixon is at the heart of this documentary and is featured throughout. The documentary focuses Alesha Dixon working hard to get the best research she can gain about her chosen topic. We are able to see Alesha Dixon arranging interviews and taking part in them herself. The documentary is subjective as Alesha is able to present her views and opinions within this documentary. Her main focus in this documentary is airbrushing and how magazines feel the need to airbrush anyone who appears within their magazine.
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