Post Modernism Theory: Post Modernism can be described as a ''style developed in reaction to modernism: a style in architecture, art, literature, and criticism developed after and often in reaction to modernism which was characterised by reference to other periods or styles in a self-conscious way and a rejection of the notion of high art''
To expand upon the statement above, taken from the dictionary. It attempts to talk about how the film industry has adapted to suit the publics desire. According to what critiques claim in other media platforms; where they claim films have moved on due to directors taking ideas from previous eras and morphed them into something that will be enjoyed. This is also referred to as 'paying homage'.
1.) Meta Narratves:
Challenges conventional narratives and representations. For example, making the antagonist a female or telling us if the way our society is moving forward is a good or a bad thing.
Usually post modernist films criticise the way life is and make us think about it by emotionally attaching us through the help of music, unpleasant shots of characters emotions that allow the audience to have an attachment to what is being shown on screen.
Another technique is the use of non-linear narratives, this is when they scramble the order of the scenes to disrupt the natural flow of the sequence. Also 'Anti-narratives' freeze the moment in a freeze frame.
2.) Intertextuality/Pastiche
Referencing (pastiche) to other films to create an effect. For example, copying exactly from another scene within a film. Within intertextuality is 'bricolage' meaning to 'steal' objects or images from different genre's of films to create a new meaning.
'Homage', again relates to when the director of a film wants to give respect to the film that they have copied, also so that the audience will interact and relate the two films together.
'Parody' is used in comical programs; taken from other types of media, creating a political stance within the film/animation.
Documentary Research: A documentary film is a non-fictional motion picture intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record. These films were originally shot on film stock but now include video and digital productions whilst also being described as filmmaking practice and a mode of audience reception. For example, a Polish filmmaker Bolestraw Matuszewski was among those who identified the mode of documentary film.
Codes and Conventions:
Actual footage: may be recording of the event with real people and not actors.
Voiceovers: an unseen commentator explains their knowledge and the audience follows what they say and it is usually relevant to what is being shown.o
Realism: Including natural sound, lighting and shooting on location.
Interviews: Shows authenticity and expresses the views of documentary and allows the people to directly talk about their views to specific questions. It also gives the documentary a sense of realism and the people being interviewed usually look at the person behind the camera, rather than the camera itself so that it looks more personal, natural and expresses more emotion.
Text: Inserting dates, times, information as it's a quick and cheap way to get information across to people directly
Sound: The use of non-diegetic and diegetic can be used.
Dramatisation: The reconstruction of an event played out by actors which is used to give the audience a further insight into what happened in the real event.
Set-ups: Setting up typical scenes which will help with adding realism to the program.
6 modes of Documentary (Bill Nichols)
Expository: Doesn't follow the strict conventions of most documentaries. Uses voiceovers and addresses the audience directly, may gather a variety of material to support an argument.
Observational: Only uses one camera which observes the world. Shoots on location, no interviews and doesn't really use a voiceover.
Participatory: The documentary maker is visible within the documentary and they would normally do the voiceover.
Reflexive: Based on real life moments and objects; these types of documentaries are based on suggestions and options rather than facts.
Performative: Based one emotion, the documentary crew may interact with the subject.
Poetic: Subjective representation of reality.
Single Camera Production:
Single camera production: A method of film making and video production where one camera operates at a time during a set.
Single camera production is shown in many different formats mainly in TV series such as 'Revenge'.
In single camera production shots are taken in an order of flexibility then when using a lot of camera editing shots that are put in order. Many parts are re-filmed to get the perfect shot as you only have the footage from the one camera.
Using a single camera is usually cheaper than any other production.
Technical: Single Camera Production
Lighting: This type of production allows more freedom for lighting set ups.
Camera: Single camera productions are known for being easier to create more artistic quality strong work. Also easier to set up and better for a small crew.
Sound: Diegetic is normally used for multi camera productions, whereas non-diegetic sound is normally added e.g placing sounds in between scenes.
Editing: The editing process is usually very time consuming as you need to get all of the clips in the right order and everything has to be cut after filming is finished.
Scripts/Building Scenes: This is the process in which you build realistic scenes. Lots of single camera productions film in actual buildings and add in objects to give it more realism. Having the equipment on a lower scale means it's better portability and is easier for zooming in on subjects that bigger cameras that take up more space.
Narrative Structures:
Narrative structure is about two things: the content of a story and the form used to tell the story.
By using open and closed endings some programs storylines are left in suspense of incomplete which leaves the audience not knowing what happens next. On the other hand in closed endings stories had come to a resolution when the production finishes.
Realism/Anti-realist: Realist narrative structures are believable to the audience because they appear real or based on a true story. Anti-realist doesn't match up with reality and has a lot of effects such as computer generated images.
Linear/Non-linear: In linear sequences everything is in the right order, whereas non-linear everything is out of order.
Research: Animated Documentaries
Inclusion Animation:
During my investigation into Documentaries surrounding the topic of disability, I found some useful animated documentaries that encompassed the techniques I want to use witihin my own. The first documentary 'Inclusion' below is produced using black and white imagery; which to me, already associates itself with the semiotics of black/white imagery to capture drama, spontaneity and the depth of humanity. This is appropriate for this short animation on disability as it revolves around making sure those who are disabled have the inclusion they need within society,
The use of black and white is a stylistic element I want to use within my own documentary during moments where you don't need to represent an emotion, so that it's void of any colour that an audience would usually associate. I want it to be used to focus on human conditions.
'The Present' by Jacob Frey The Present – based on a comic strip by Brazilian artist Fabio Coala Cavalcanti – was so well done that not only did it receive over 50 awards at various film festivals around the world, it also garnered the attention of animation powerhouses Disney Studios and Pixar Animation.
The animated short was used to represent the childs disability, when the dog was first introduced it made it seem that the mother was potentially mocking him - hence why the boy got so angry and pushed the dog away. When the animation progresses, the boy begins to understand that disability shouldn't hold him back. This is a theme within my documentary I'm aiming for, although my nan is almost 80 years old and 'Joey' is 60 years old, disability isn't something that should hold you back in life.
However, the film is shot in CGI, which is an aesthetic I can appreciate but will not be using for my documentary, alongside the linear narrative also. I want to be able to convey a range of perspectives with my documentary; therefore it will not be working with a linear narrative, but more so a post-modernist style.
'Becky' Inclusion Animation This documentary focuses on inclusion with disabled children, the same way the first documentary I've researched into does. The use of 2D digital animation works well within this documentary. However, I do believe the lack of continuity with the animation does let the documentary down. I do want to use digital animation within my own work, but it will often be used to overlap with traditional animation as well.
I believe the theme within this animation is to include children and raise awareness of the views most people take with disability. I want to be able to raise awareness with the topic of carers and how they cope with disability, whislt also giving knowledge of how carers cope working with children with disabilities and their duty of care/quality of life.
Tegans Story - Animation The aspect of this animation I most like is the sound - it's crystal clear and allows you to follow the story of Tegan beautifully. Compiled with fluid animation, this allows the audience to understand clearly what living with a disability is like. I particularly enjoy the line within the animation where Tegan claims ''my home is adapted to my needs, whereas the outside world isn't''. This is a theme I want to get across within my documentary, especially regarding the governments recent cuts to carers and those with disabilities.
The animation style is very cartoonish, I do enjoy this style, but I feel as though within my own documentary it isn't wise for me to use this. Considering I want to get across a serious message I want to be able to use techniques that visualise exactly what it's like to care for someone 24/7 without endorsing a 'comedic' element to the documentary.
With that being said, I think the sole reason they used cartoony animation was to appeal to a broad range of audiences, whereas within my documentary I am more focused on giving the knowledge of 'Joey's conditions and also depicting the kind hearted nature and generosity of my Nan/Grandad who have dedicated their life to looking after him.