UNIT 4 Project Proposal Template
Centre name Ravensbourne University Centre no. 14271 Student name Elodie Grenville Candidate no. 4082752241 Project title The Age of Deception: Documentaries To Manipulate
Date 25/02/2019
Pathway Media Production Foundation Section 1: Rationale (approx. 150 words)
Throughout the foundation pathway, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to experiment with a wide range of medias, as its encouraged me to be more daring in my interpretations of briefs. While some projects have inspired me to make short films, others have felt most appropriately completed through forms such as stop-frame animation or photography. I particularly enjoyed the transcription project as it was a fun challenge to recreate the classic Psycho scene in both the cinematography and editing. However, my favourite was the collaboration project as I enjoyed leading my team in the design process and really liked our final theme of ‘how the media uses fear to control its viewers’. This project was challenging but gratifying as I ended up creating a film that really sets itself apart from my previous work. I definitely had that project in mind when considering ideas for the FMP and thus have found myself drawn back to the idea of manipulating viewers using film. In terms of process, I intend to create film supported by a range of research and inspiration sources, as I feel moving image will allow me to create a strong emotional connection with audiences, and thus reinforce the power of the manipulation aspect. I look forward to using the skills I’ve gained from this pathway as well as delve deeper into topics I’m passionate about, hopefully refining my own film making techniques and giving me a chance to understand audiences on a deeper level.
Section 2: Project concept (approx. 250 words)
My project concept revolves around the title ‘The Age of Deception: Documentaries To Manipulate’ and will utilise the documentary genre to explore how viewers can, and often are, lied to using a variety of conventions and emotional techniques. I want to fool my viewers into believing a metanarrative, this doctored reality being in the style of
crime/murder mystery documentary which will be completely fabricated. From my initial research, I am inclined to make my documentary quite dark as I want to promote a menacing message, this being that of how audiences are used and influenced at will of the filmmaker, in addition to wanting to explore traditional crime film conventions. My key inspirations for this theme include The War Game (1965) and Man Bites Dog (1992), while stylistically the Netflix show Confession Tapes is representative of what I would like to achieve – this is as opposed to taking inspiration from more comedic mockumentaries such as Borat or The Office. In terms of the narrative itself, I would like to use market research to gain an understanding of the best storyline to explore – this being ideally both most realistic and engaging. I think confirming the narrative will be the primary challenge as I will need to ensure that it maintains a balance of being entertaining and yet also seemingly genuine and professional to my viewers. In the style of a crime documentary, the idea of interviewing a serial killer seems quite intriguing although I definitely want to maintain a sense of shock value, perhaps using the ‘found footage’ style to imply a
change of events in the documentary (as is done in Man Bites Dog). A dramatic plot twist would also be effective in further immersing viewers, while maintaining the documentary conventions would keep it from seeming too fictitious. In terms of resources, due to the realism of the documentary, I believe I will be able to scout locations and props without too much trouble – meanwhile I already have access to film and post production
with care to ensure actors are convincing and can adapt to the theme. Overall, I believe it’s important for modern audiences to be aware of how filmmakers may try to deceive them and thus am willing to create a sense of confusion or even outrage as controversy would be a useful tool to use to spread the message – this ideally done over social medias such as Facebook or Twitter as these meet a wide range of viewers and are classic ways in which false information is spread, abiding to my intentions. I aim to raise awareness to protect audiences from potential threats like propaganda, fake news,
advertising schemes and a wide variety of other media deceptions – especially those who are less media savvy, such as individuals who may use new media less frequently as well as those who regularly consume documentary films.
Section 3: Evaluation (approx. 100 words)
When it comes to evaluating my own work, I believe my blog will be a key element in this. I want to use the blog as a regular checkup of my research and progress (as documented in my sketchbook), allowing me to consider my success during the upcoming weeks as well as giving me a chance to recognize my fallbacks. I think another useful method for evaluation will be requesting feedback from my peers and tutors throughout the project. Using the simplistic style of ‘what went well’ and ‘even better if’ I will be able to gain a regular understanding of if my project seems to be going in the right direction. I also want to ensure I’m having frequent discussions with a wide variety of potential audiences, this form of market research ensuring I stay on track and maintain a clear focus in my
intentions for the audiences. A specific method could be using online forms or polls to gain a further understanding of my audience and how I can improve my project
throughout its production – this will not only aid my personal evaluation, but also ensure clear the final project effectively targets its intended audience.
Proposed research sources and bibliography (Harvard format)
Sources used in initial research so far:
TITLE AUTHOR YR OF
PUBLICATION SOURCE LINK Pseudo-documentary - 2012 Wikipedia + Further sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseu do-documentary https://books.google.co.uk/books ?id=-MUJ7emAAXsC&pg=PA327&red ir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false Mockumentary - - Wikipedia + Further sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mock umentary https://www.waikato.ac.nz/fass/m ock-doc/ https://books.google.co.uk/books ?id=TXaFokB-qx4C&pg=PA172&redir_esc=y Codes and conventions - documentary James Shenton 2017 Prezi https://prezi.com/kulnf914jati/cod es-and-conventions-documentary/ Codes and conventions of documentaries
Lea Valley 2013 Slideshare https://www.slideshare.net/LVHS/ codes-and-conventions-of-documentaries-28738886 Fake documentaries that totally fooled viewers Nicholas Conley 2018 Grunge https://www.grunge.com/134622/f ake-documentaries-that-totally-fooled-viewers/ Pseudo-documentary Bill Chambers 2011 Film Freak Central https://www.filmfreakcentral.net/ff c/pseudo-documentary/ The 11 best mockumentari es of all time Shane Cubis 2017 SBS https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/art icle/2016/04/28/11-best-mockumentaries-all-time 31 Mockumentari es You Need To See Before You Die Louis Peitzman 2015 Buzzfeed https://www.buzzfeed.com/louisp eitzman/mockumentaries-to-see-before-you-die Why pseudo-documentaries continue to appeal Megan Leigh 2016 Pop-Verse http://pop- verse.com/2016/02/01/why- pseudo-documentaries-continue-to-appeal/ The War of The Worlds (radio drama) - - Wikipedia + Further https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_ War_of_the_Worlds_(radio_dram a)
sources https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu/it ems/show/1972 http://jeff560.tripod.com/wotw.ht ml http://hoaxes.org/archive/permali nk/the_bbc_radio_panic
Throughout this project I intend to use a further range of sources for my research, for example, I would love to get in contact with a documentary maker for an interview, or otherwise view resources such as panel discussions or autobiographies to gain an understanding of their techniques and intentions. I would also like to do interviews as a form of market researching, asking people about hoaxes they may have fallen for and what elements they feel led to this (for example, exploring modern fake news or ‘urban legends’). Other potential sources I would like to look into include any film festivals or exhibitions regarding documentaries and/or how the media is manipulative – such as debates and podcasts.
Project action plan and timetable Week Date week
beginning
Activity/what you intend to do - including independent study
Resources/what you will need to do - including access to resources
Research
Week Initial research on theme of pseudo-documentaries. Explore existing inspirations and consider
conventions/stylisations.
Internet, library, exhibitions, sketchbook, blog.
1 25/03/2019 Further (market) research to gain understanding of storyline. Moodboard summarising style and clearer idea for the narrative.
Internet, library, exhibitions, sketchbook, blog.
2
1/04/2019 Work on scripting and casting (storyboarding), discuss plan with tutors/peers for final review. Gather post production resources like potential soundtracks/ sound effects/ fonts.
Presentation software,
sketchbook, internet, hard drive, blog.
3
8/04/2019 Finish work on script and casting (storyboarding), complete aspects like location scouting and gather resources. Have conclusive film schedule and send out briefs to cast, allowing chance for final revisions.
Word, social media, internet, sketchbook, blog.
4 15/04/2019 Filming – beginning to work systematically through the shot list. Location, props, film equipment, actors. 5
22/04/2019 Filming. Location, props, film equipment,
actors.
6 29/04/2019 Filming + Editing (post-production) – focus on sequence and pacing. Location, props, film equipment, actors / laptop, hard drive, adobe software.
7 6/05/2019 Editing (post-production) – focus on colour grading, text & tiles, and sound design.
Location, props, film equipment, actors / laptop, hard drive, adobe software.
8 13/05/2019 Complete any final post-production work and conclude blog/sketchbook documentation. Work on final
evaluation.
Laptop, hard drive, adobe software, sketchbook, blog.
