The topic of 'special interest documentary' includes the element of a very niche appeal. It uses many traditional documentary conventions and often focuses on one story per episode. The topic aims for one specific age group or and culture, and is also rarely shown on a mainstream broadcaster such as BBC1, ITV1, or SKY1.
An example of this topic would be 'Video Game Invasion: The History of a Global Obsession' which is a 2004 documentary exploring the history of the video game, from the arcade and all the way to the Xbox. The Wonder of Dogs is about finding out how the extraordinary genetics of modern dogs underlies the extreme differences we see between breeds, and uncovers the surprising origins of the poodle's famous haircut; finds out what makes greyhounds the fastest dogs on the planet; and travels to the Guisachan Estate in the Scottish Highlands to meet hundreds of golden retrievers at the ancestral home of this popular breed.
I am going to analyse the 'Munich air crash' that happened in 1958 with the Manchester United footballers on board. The niche audience targets at the football fans mainly as they would be the ones most devastated - especially Manchester United fans. At 0:59, we see archive footage of the aftermath of the munich air crash, by showing this, it allows the audience to fully understanding how disastrous the event was which makes the audience engage with the show more, allowing them to want to carry on watching. The music is very quiet in the background and very sympathetic which reflects upon the viewers mood as it all ties in together to make it an upsetting documentary, imitating the viewers need to carry on watching the show. At 1:13 we finally see the mans face being interviewed as his voice was a voiceover the archive footage of the plane crash. The two men are both experts on the topic as they were there at the scene of the crash which gives viewers more detail on the truth of what happened, which suddenly makes the documentary even more captivating. From 2:25 to 2:40, the editing here has been pieced together to make meaning as the original footage and archive footage in between all connects up as the news supports the man in the interviews statement in finding all the other passengers. From this, viewers know to believe the story even more as both evidence has backed up one and other, giving it a secure statement.
Make Over Show
These shows are to transform a member of the public's life for the better, of a development of the reality TV genre. These shows usually involve their physical appearance or an issue in their life. It often takes a lighthearted tone in dealing with what could be a quite serious issue.
An example of this topic is 'Ramsay's Hotel Hell' where Gordon Ramsay travels across the USA visiting struggling hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts, attempting to fix their problems and turn the troubled establishments around, and 'Pimp my Ride' consists of taking one car in poor condition and restoring it, as well as customizing it.
I am going to analyse 'Supernanny' with Jo Frost on a mission to help desperate parents deal with their badly behaved children. There are many codes and conventions in the show. One being the use of experts; Jo Frost is an expert on solving ways to make children behave better and is the host of the show. Having an expert being a host as well gives viewers more of an understanding and educational view which makes the show more believable with the facts that are given. From the beginning at 0:01, there's a voiceover the original footage of what's going to be played during the show. This gives the audience an insight into what the show is about with the extreme edited montage they put together, which may or may not makes the viewers wanting to keep watching. The show contains mini interviews throughout, for example from 1:45 to 1:51, the sister of the troublemaker Mary-Ann, gives her side to what Mary-Ann is like which makes the viewers feel sorry for her as she has to deal with the behavior of her sister and the less spending time with her mum. From 27:39 to 27:44, Mary-Ann is hand holding the camera as she talks about how she's been walking all over her mum. This conveys to the viewers an insight into her diary and pouring out how she feels like she's telling her emotions to the viewers at home directly, making the viewers connect with her.
This topic usually has a studio panel, where experts discuss issues on a particular theme. A live audience may or may not be presented. The discussions have a fairly serious tone and generally the show does not move out of a studio setting e.g. no VT's or other locations. Examples of this topic are; MOTD where during the English football season it shows highlights of the day's matches in English football's top division, the Premier League, and also the programme Loose Women focuses on a panel of four female presenters who interview celebrities and discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip.
I am going to analyse 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side' which has a panel talking about the people/celebrities within the big brother house. The show is live to make sure that what they're displaying is up to date information, which it is because Big Brother is on before this show. At the start, are three people around the table as the panel, Luke Marsden is an expert as he was in the big brother house a few years ago and has been on this show many times, so he has a background within the topic. Having a background within the topic allows audience's to understand what the celebrities are like and knowing if some have a 'game' in the house which makes it more exciting. Pauline was in the Big Brother house this year which also makes her an expert as she's experienced it and knows what's going on in the house, however, Sam Bailey hasn't been in the Big Brother house, but because she watches the show, she knows what's going on so she gives her own opinions on this show. Having a mixture of experts and people who just watch the show can become more engaging as there are likely to be controversial, which creates tension. There is a live audience in the background of the presenter, Rylan Clarke, he asks the audience questions (the one's who want to answer) or they may want to make a statement e.g. 3:54 - 3:59 the man speaks out his opinion, which makes it more of a fun atmosphere, benefiting the audience as people's opinions come together.
A review show deals with the idea of reviewing new products within a specific field and having a sole purpose. This show may have the presenter trying out a product test, in a formalic way, and may have interviews with experts too. The UK Top 40 is an example of a review show as it reviews all the music that's in the chart, and Top Gear reviews how fast a car goes.
I am going to analyse The Gadget Show as it previews and reviews the latest gadgets, and broadcasts the latest technology news. From 0:33 to 0:56, there's a voiceover archive footage which displays a full screen of the game 'Battlefield 3 Stimulator' being played, which seems as if viewers at home could be playing it, making it realistic and enjoyable for them, and also educating them on how the game works. At 2:30, there is an interview with an expert over the internet as they live in a different country, making a deal to help the host with the project. This shows the audience a build up of the creation of the game, making them become more engaged as they want to see the final product. At 4:36 we are presented with a fact of the price of the appBlaster gun shown on the screen as a graphics communication... there are facts about the gun while the camera focuses on every part of the gun which is being mentioned by the voiceover, this happens from 4:36 to 4:42. This gives viewers more of a idea of how to work the piece of
equipment and the price of it as that's one of the main facts viewers would want to know.
At 13:52, the music begins with a bang as it enters a VT and carries on with a wind but calm type sound, echoing the blowing grass and lets viewers at home know that this is a different and daunting theme, and to get them excited as it sounds like something 'big' is going to happen next.
Chat Show
This deals with discussions on everyday problems that people encounter in a studio based show. The host contains a judgmental side and questions may be raised about the factuality of many guests. An example of this type of chat show is Jeremy Kyle, where people go on to discuss their problems and get them sorted by Jeremy Kyle's feedback. Another one is Jerry Springer, a less serious chat show, but people go on to tell their relation or friend a secret that they've kept in hopes for Springer to sort the issue out.
I am going to analyse Maury who has dealt with a variety of issues; including teenage pregnancy, sexual infidelity,paternity test results, uncommon illnesses, makeovers, "out of control" teenagers, transgender individuals, obese children, domestic violence and so on. From 0:02 to 1:30, there is an edited montage with a voiceover of different clips put together which show what's coming up on the show and what stories they are. By doing this at the start of the show, this gives the viewers an insight as to what the show has to offer, and because the clips they show are the extreme and upsetting ones, they would want to keep watching to find out the full details of each story. At 1:46, a photograph is shown of the woman (who thinks shes been cheated on) with her boyfriend, educating the viewers and showing them the love and happy stages of their relationship and to give your own judgement on him. There's a VT of different things going on which had been edited together to piece together meaning... this happens from 2:20 to 3:04 of the woman sharing her story and as she explains her story, there are photographs and footage's of the boyfriend, cell phone, and websites to be identical to her description. Viewers get more of an idea of what the story is behind the boyfriends accusations which sets them in a straight-forward direction of where the show is going. At 6:08 we have a lie detector expert confirming that the boyfriend had 'significant reactions', this gives viewers solid facts and makes the show more believable.
Magazine Show
A Magazine Show groups together a number of miniature factual features within a studio setting. This type of show also includes VT's, live links, studio performances and experts on the topic of conversation. The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme and Soccer Am, which is a football-based comedy/talk show, is predominantly based around the Premier League.
I am going to analyse Blue Peter which is the longest running children's programme containing viewer and presenter challenges, as well as the famous arts and crafts "makes". The music from the start of the show is very rapid and joyful which reflects on the mood of the show, which then reflects the viewers at homes mood too as it gets them into the show. From 0:36 to 1:57, we have poor sound because of the helicopter itself being too loud, and we also have presentation of facts presented to us as the woman presenter tells us what some of the buildings are called, like she was giving us viewers at home a tour which is intriguing. From 3:29 to 4:19 we are given history facts on how the place was built with the help of archive footage and photographs, which to viewers may seem engaging. At 13:10 we have an expert talking about the ways on environmentally friendly making the place tidy again because of the rubbish that has been left after a festival. This could encourage viewers at home on doing things environmentally friendly as it does the atmosphere good. From 21:48, there is an interview with the strictly come dancing pair which evolves into a dance at the end and being taught how to salsa. Including the dance in the show makes it very humorous for the viewers as the ones who don't dance, come across hilariously bad. The interview consists of the answers being opinions which makes the viewers enjoy it even more as it's not something that's just been scripted to say.
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