ISSUE 23

via voldemortisachav.tumblr

So, week 6 already!? This morning's lecture focused on aesthetics in documentary making. Some notes:

+ There can often be a direct link between propaganda and documentary. "Housing Problems" 1935 used a very evidential style of documentary making, using images as evidence of the voice over narration. This approach can be referred to as a discourse of sobriety - using a very dry and sober approach to instate an authoritarian voice. This is not always necessary. This style of documentary creates a wall between audience and subject, rather like looking at insects behind a glass wall. 

+ Trying to break down this wall will change the very essence of a film. Aesthetics will be completely different. 

+ MAYSLES BROTHERS: it's not good that I didn't already know of this duo. Will be looking at their work. Late 50's to early 60's, a radical departure from the austere documentaries prior. Philosophical underpinnings - letting people see the world as it really was. 

+ BRIAN HILL: "Drinking For England" 1998, "Pornography - the musical", "Fultham Sings". Using music as a means of affecting the audience. 

+ We don't need to always see what we are hearing. Reaction shots are gold.

Now that we have settled on our documentary subject Dumpster Divers, having this knowledge that the audience does not always have to be seeing what they are hearing becomes invaluable knowledge, as most of the footage of the actual dumpster diving will be occurring at night and will therefore be hard to capture on film. Sound will be of utmost importance.