Super Size Me

What are the different types of filmmaking, how are these used to present information? 

In this extract of the documentary, they have used such types of filmmaking as:

Interviews-

These present information well as the interviews presents opinions and facts  from professional dieticians, food researchers and doctors and average American citizens.  

Recorded footage of fat people and children-

These present information well as they are examples of the points that are being discussed in this segment

Animated picture-

Animated pictures make complicated and professional information being given easy to understand and consume

Video diary-

The video diaries are like demonstrations of the points being made about how unhealthy the fast food, just like proving a point.

List the interviews in this extract, describe the mise-en-scene of each interview, what kind of connotations does this create for the audience. 

Kelly Brownell-

Brownell is a professor at Yale for eating and weight disorders, so his surrounding are very professional, possibly filmed in Yale as you see books in the background. This makes the audience trust his opinions and facts as he.

  

Jacob Sullum-

In this interview Jacob is in an office, which make the surroundings of this interview professional and highlights the fact that Sullum has knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

John F. Banzhaf-

This interview uses a clever contrast because he is a law professor in a suit, someone you would expect to see in a high-end office or restaurant, but here he sits in McDonalds, which is the complete opposite to formal, this sort of evokes the thought that everybody eats from these fast food restaurants.

William Kilsh, MD-

In the interview with William Kilsh the background setting is formal, but there are certain childlike elements of it such as the toy beside him and coloured curtain, this emphasises the fact that the main subject of this part is the younger generation 

Caitlin-

This is the only interview where the person being interview is the average teenager that is being talked about, she is shown sitting in the park as she talks, this only emphasises the realism to the interview and the person being interviewed, which allows the audience to relate easily to her

What is the relationship between the voiceovers and the images? How does this affect the way the audience interprets what Spurlock is saying?

The images in this extract match what the voiceover of Spurlock is saying (e.g. when he is explaining all the side effects of unhealthy eating, all the animated image examples pop-up). These give the serious and complicated subject matter a more easy to understand and calming approach and allows the audience to take in the information easily so they know exactly what is being said. And because the

What music features on the soundtrack? Which group of people is most likely to enjoy this type of music?

The music being featured in this section of the documentary is very pop (Indie), it has very patronising lyrics and tone, which suits its target audience (teens and children). This also links in with the subject matter of the section

What mode of documentary is Super Size Me? Are there elements of more than one mode? Provide evidence for your answer.

 Super size me consists of two different modes, which would be expository and participatory. This is evident as contains expository modes such as images, music and mise-en-scene used to illustrate subject matter, interviews, voiceovers (of the actual documenter), and the documentary maker is present in the documentary. And participatory features such as location shooting, use of archive material,   

Who do you think the documentary is aimed at? Can you define the audience in terms of age and gender?

I think that this documentary is aimed at teenagers and adults of both genders. Though they have used different techniques such as music and colour to try and appeal to a younger group I believe that the subject matter is far to complex for children, and I believe that teenagers and adults between the ages of 15 and over can only take the subject matter into notice and consideration.

Does your identification of the audience suggest that there are some film styles that are more suited to a younger-and others therefore the older- audiences?

I defiantly think that there are some film styles that are more suited to a younger generation than an older generation because some filmmaking techniques work better with different ages (e.g. animation and music appeals more to a younger audience whereas a voiceovers and still life photography might appeal more to an older audience).

Which techniques does Morgan Spurlock use to persuade the audience of his argument? Were you aware of these techniques the first time you watch the film

Spurlock seems to use the best technique of persuasion to make argument, which is point, example and explanation. Throughout the whole film he seems to make a point about the subject matter and then he goes into detail explaining about it, he shows evidence of his point either through his own experiments or through pictures and footage. This is a great technique for him to use because then it’s hard to argue with his points.  

What examples does Odeh give back up his claims that super size me is derivative (unoriginal)?

Omar gives examples of documentaries such as "History of the United States of America" as an example of similarity (especially the history of the chicken nugget part) and lack of uniqueness between this documentary and similar ones.

According to Odeh, what are the differences between Super Size me and Michael Moore’s film?

When Odeh states “Spurlock's performance feels modelled on the genial, occasionally grating mix of good-natured populism, reckless impertinence, and self-congratulation that Moore has perfected,” Odeh suggests that the difference between Super Size me and Michael Moore’s films is that Michael Moore’s film are better in terms of uniqueness and geniality of performance.

What are the main points of Omar Odeh’s argument?

Odeh is highlighting the fact that in the documentary, they bring up questions and subjects that they cannot provide a good enough answer to, which leaves questions in the audience minds that are left unanswered and wasted.

What do you understand to be the difference between activism and documentary as referred to in the article?

Activism is different to documentary as documentary gives you information about a cretin subject and sometimes gives opinions from two separate parties allowing you to make up your own opinion on the subject, whereas activism feed you with information and doesn’t allow your input of the subject matter.  

Do you agree with the criticism made in the article?

I agree with one point that Omar makes and that is the lack of originality of the documentary, but besides that I think it’s a good documentary, which Omar Odeh is judging to harshly, I believe it has great morals to it and contains great persuasion techniques that can draw in a variety of audiences  

Kidult Hood Questions

INTRODUCTION

Kidulthood tells the story of a turbulent 48 hours in the life of a group of fifteen-year-olds living in West London. Filmmaker Menhaj Huda and his youthful cast set out to show what life was really like for young people growing up today and the problems and issues they face. The film was shot in the UK in just four and a half weeks on a minimal budget but incorporates all the action and suspense of a big Hollywood production.

■ Look at the poster image. How does this confirm or contradict your expectations of Kidultood?

The poster confirms my expectations of this film because of such elements as the constume, they chose sterotype outfits (chevy), the darkness of the image shows that its tragic, and the fact that sam is holding a bat confirms the violence.  

■ Why do you think the title ‘Kidulthood’ was chosen? Think about all the different parts of the word - what associations does it have and what impression does it give of what you are about to see?

I think Kidulthood is a very clever way of pointing out the fact that this movie is exposing such thing as the immaturity level of this kids trying to play an adults game. 

■ The action is set in a school playground. How does this contradict traditional associations of the playground and what effect does this have?

The fact that it is set in a school playground condradicts a playground because a playground is associated with being safe and a fun place for children to play, not a horrific and intimidating place the film makes it look like, this also touches on to the title 'Kid-ulthood'.

■ How is tension and/or aggression conveyed through the body language and facial expression of each group of characters?

The characters facial expressions are very obvious to how they all feel, they constantly look either worried or angry in most of the film, which is relevant to how they all feel inside.

■ Is it easy to identify the ‘outsiders’? If so, how?

It is very easy to identify the outsiders by their facial expressions (unhappy and worried) they also seem to be singled out on thier own whilst others in a gang.

■ How does the filmmaker build tension into the story of Sam and Claire at this point?

He builds tension by making it seem that both characters want nothing to do with eachother though they are a couple, she seems to be very affraid of him and he seems to not care about her at all.

■ What words would you use to describe the images of Trife we see in the opening sequence of the film? How do they support what is going on around him? How do they contrast with them? What do you assume he is doing?

In the movie Trife seems to be the one who shows the most Compassion, of all the corruption that seems to be happening around him he seems to stare at it with dissapointment unlike the others who seem to be use to it.

■ How does the soundtrack add to the feeling of tension?

the soundtack works very well with building tension, becuase in most scenes it matches the subject matter and the songs are based on what is happening e.g. (lights are blinding my eyes plays when the trife is confused and worried and its dark and gloomy with flashing lights all around, and stay positive plays when a girl is about to commit suicide).

■ What are the main stories in the film? Are these representative of the majority of young people?

In the movie the producers have chosen to highlight stories that are associated with the younger generation in the media, such as teen pregnancy, gang violence and drug usage.

■ What kinds of activities do we see the ‘kids’ doing throughout the day?

Throughout the whole movie the teenagers seem to be involved with drugs, sex and violence, these are stereotype activities that teenagers at that age group are known to do.

■ How do you feel about the language used in the film? Is it an accurate representation of how young people speak?


I think that the language used in the film is accurate to how the young people of that certain area do talk, though it is not how all of them talk, the movie has only based this language on the focused gang members.

■ How do we feel about the incident where Trife is accused of stealing the Burberry cap? How does the filmmaker influence our thoughts by the way in which it is presented?

I think that that scene is the most controversial scene of the whole movie because, the director makes the audience feel angry at the discrimination taking place as he makes such elements as racial profiling evident, but you also think to yourself, if you were in the characters situation, would you trust the boys? Have you been given a reason to?

■ How are the adults in the film represented? Who is seen in a) a positive light

b) a negative light? How is this shown as influencing or impacting on the actions of the teenagers?

In the movie the adults’ control over the teenagers seems to be based on the popular myth that black parents are stricter, the girl at the beginning who committed suicide seemed to be distant from her and not in touch with the way she feels, as Trife’s mother seems to be more assertive and demands more respect, which reflects on why Trife is seems to be a more respectful guy as the movie continues.

■ How do you feel about the way in which young people are represented by the media in a) film b) print media?

I think it is very unfair how young people are represented in these movies and print media, because though all these bad situation and activities shown in the movie do take place, I feel that it is a minority of the young generation but it is exposed as if it’s a majority of teenagers.

■ What do you think the reaction of someone aged 50+ might be to the film? What would you say to them?


I think that a person who is aged 50+ would mistakenly get the impression all young teenagers behave the way that teenagers are betrayed in the film.

■ Do you think the film raises issues of gender or race?

I definitely think that gender and racial issues are evident in this movie e.g. (the way the boys refer to girl in such disrespectful manners, and how in the play most of the black people are the trouble makers in gangs).  

■ In what ways do you think the film could help empower young people?

I think that this film could empower young people in two different ways, it could either scare them away from that particular way of life, or could encourage it as this movie seems to glamorise it. 

Kidultood has been classified as a ‘docu- drama’. If you had to choose one that represented the story line correctly, documentary or drama, which would you chose and why?

I think i would choose to classify this as a drama because though it is based on true events and real life situations I think it’s way too exaggerated and glamourized to be a documentary. 

If you were asked to produce a ‘docu-soap’ what would it be based on?

I would base my docu-soap on the contrast between higher and lower class society.