INSIDE THE KKK CHANNEL 4 DOCUMENTARY (FIRST 15 MINS)
OPENING ‘Inside the KKK’ begins with a establishing shot to highlight the/one of the locations for this documentary. A sound bridge is then layered over top to help the transition to the next shot. This being a clip from an interview which the audience then sees in full later in the film. Using a controversial interview clip increases the audience’s desire to continue watching and heightens their interest.
SOUND This documentary does not use many different sound techniques apart from the odd sound bridge, used to link one scene to another. However the soundtrack throughout is perhaps one of the most dominate features. The opening shot sequence uses rock music to add excitement and an edgy element. Using rock music also sets this documentary apart from others, making it unique. The other soundtrack featured in the first quarter of this documentary is similar to the type of music used in the ‘Jesus Camp’ documentary. Eerie and unnerving music is edited in at certain shocking points, increasing the emotional response felt by the audience.
SHOT TYPE/CAMERA WORK
Two of the most common shots seen in this documentary are close-ups and mid shots. These are key in highlighting the mise en scene in the background. The mise en scene can be used to further the narrative or the point the presenter or documentary is trying to make. Typically of documentaries the steadi-cam is the main feature in the interviews. Allowing the audience to feel as if they are there in the room, part of the interview.
ARCHIVE FOOTAGE Archive footage is peppered throughout ‘Inside the KKK’ and helps give the audience a history to the topic subject of the documentary. This paired along side a voiceover provides a historical immersive experience for the viewer. This is a typical factor of social and cultural documentaries and definitely a feature I will be exploring in my own documentary.
This documentary does not use a onscreen presenter but a male voiceover. This is a typical feature of documentaries but differs from ‘Jesus Camp’ which does not use either. The first part ends with a shocking clip of a child holding a gun. This then equals to the audience wanting to watch more. This kind of shock technique does trigger varying responses from the viewers but nevertheless builds upon a audience. My personal belief is that this technique is key in encouraging the audience to continue watching, and will be one my documentary will feature. The titles in this documentary are, again, similar to what is used in ‘Jesus Camp’. Small, white font in the corner on the screen. This helps to keep the main focus of the events happening in the shot or on what is being spoken.