Font

This is the font which we will be using throughout the documentary

which is called "Helvetica". This font is easy and clear to read which

is why is suitable to be used in our documentary.

Bill Nichols

Bill Nichols, an American academic, introduced the theory of
documentary modes in 1991 as an attempt to theorise documentary
practice. He suggested that there was a fairly direct linear progression
from the early documentaries of the 1930s to the present day,
starting with e xpository documentaries, evolving progressively into
observational, interactive and, finally, reflexive documentary styles.

Possible Broadcasters

I have chosen BBC 3 as an appropriate broadcaster to air my

documentary. This is simply because BBC 3 air documentarites

similar to mine and attract the same target audience that I have chosen.

BBC Three is also home to many pan-psychology based programmes
which bring topics such as addictions and childcare into an entertainment
and educational context.
In 2008 it reached 26.3% of 16-34 year olds in digital homes, 
Its share of the audience during its transmission hours is 2.6% among
15-34 year olds, and 1.7% among all individuals.

 

BBFC

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British

Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded

by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of

films within the United Kingdom.

The BBFC rates theatrically-released films, and rated videos and

video games that forfeited exemption from the Video Recording Act 1984,

which was discovered in August 2009 to be unenforceable until the act

was re-enacted as the Video Recording Act 2010^. Legally, local authorities

have the power to decide under what circumstances films are shown in cinemas,

but they nearly always choose to follow the advice of the BBFC.

All films and video games rated by the BBFC receive a certificate,

along with "consumer advice" detailing references to sex, violence

and coarse language. If a certificate specifies that a film or video game

is only suitable for someone over a certain age, then only those over that

age may buy it.

The BBFC currently issues the following certificates.

All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.
Films under this category should not upset children under 4.

All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for
children under 8.

Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for

very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only

admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years,

at all times during the motion picture.

12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the

VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added which
makes it need a higher rating.

Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs,

commonly used swear words, moderate-strong violence/sex

references, and mild non-detailed sex activity.

Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad

language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and

strong violence/sex references along with non-detailed sex

activity is also allowed.

Only adults are admitted, and can only be shown at licensed

cinemas or sold at sex shops. This rating does not exist for

video games yet. Films under this category has material which

the BBFC  does not allow for it's "18" rating but is considered

acceptable by law. Thus the violence and sex activity will be stronger in

R18-rated VHSes/DVDs and films than those which are rated "18".

Logo

This is the logo that I will be using for my documentary.

It stands for Havering College Television.

This logo has been taken from the original BBC template.

This was created to give our documentaries a more realistic, professional

visual.

Documentary Certificate

The certificate I have chosen for my documentary is certificate 12.

The main reason why I chose this certificate is because the topic of

the documentary which is teenage pregnancy can relate to children as

young as 12 because they themselves are nearly teenagers,

and the information used in the documentary relates to their age group.

There isn't really a need for children as young as 12 to watch the documentary

with an adult because they would of covered a similar topic in their year 5 or 6

sexual education topic in school as it is compulsory to do so.

So children as young as 12 already have an insight on this topic and should

be influenced to watch documentarie such as this as it relates to their age

group now.

Poster (Second Draft)

Poster Final Draft

Checklist

-Polls for audience analysis on documentarys (08-11-10)
-Poll Results
-Font (22-11-10)
-Certificate (21-11-10)
-Logo (21-11-10)
-Primary & Secondary Research
-Scan Brainstorm
-Media Theorists
-Facebook Group
-Poster (Second Draft) (10-11-10)
-Software Used
-Equipment List
-Post-Documentary Questions
-Possible Broadcasters (21-11-10)
-BBFC (21-11-10)
-Score Notes
-Documentary Proposal
-Storyboard
-Shotlist
-Documentary Modes (4-11-10)

Documentary Modes

Poetic Mode:
The poetic mode of documentary film tends toward subjective interpretations
of its subject(s). Light on rhetoric, documentaries in the poetic mode forsake
traditional narrative content: individual characters and events remain undeveloped,
in favor of creating a particular mood or tone. This is particularly noticeable in
the editing of poetic documentaries, where continuity is of virtually no
consequence at all. Rather, poetic editing explores “associations and patterns
that involve temporal rhythms and spatial juxtapositions.

Expository Mode:
The expositional mode diverges sharply from the poetic mode in terms of
visual practice and story-telling devices, by virtue of its emphasis on rhetorical
content, and its goals of information dissemination or persuasion.
Narration is a distinct innovation of the expositional mode of documentary.
Initially manifesting as an omnipresent, omniscient, and objective voice intoned
over footage, narration holds the weight of explaining and arguing a film’s
rhetorical content. Where documentary in the poetic mode thrived on a filmmaker’s
aesthetic and subjective visual interpretation of a subject, expositional mode
collects footage that functions to strengthen the spoken narrative.
The engagement of rhetoric with supporting visual information founded in the
expositional mode continues today and, indeed, makes up the bulk of documentary
product. Film features, news stories, and various television programs lean heavily
on its utility as a device for transferring information.

Observational Mode:
Unlike the subjective content of poetic documentary, or the rhetorical insistence
of expositional documentary, observational documentaries tend to simply observe,
allowing viewers to reach whatever conclusions they may deduce.
The camera, while moving with subjects and staying in the action, remains as
unobtrusive as possible, mutely recording events as they happen.
Pure observational documentarians proceeded under some bylaws: no music,
no interviews, no scene arrangement of any kind, and no narration

Participatory Mode:
In the participatory mode, filmmakers move from behind the camera and
appear as subjects in their own work. With the filmmaker visible to the viewer,
and freed to openly discuss his or her perspective in regards to the film
being made, rhetoric and argumentation return to the documentary film as the
filmmaker clearly asserts a message.

Performative Mode:
The Performative mode is easily confused with the Paticipatory mode.
The Participatory mode engages the filmmaker to the story but attempts
to constructs truths that should be self-evident to anyone, the performative
mode engages the filmmaker to the story but constructs subjective truths that
are significant to the filmmaker him or herself. Deeply personal, the
performative mode is particularly well-suited to telling the stories of filmmakers
from marginalized social groups, offering the chance to air unique perspectives
without having to argue the validity of their experiences.
The departure from a rhetoric of persuasion allows the performative film a great
deal more room for creative freedom in terms of visual abstraction, narrative, etc

Documentary Research

Brief Definition of a Documentary:
Refers to film or video that explores a subject in a way the public expects
to be factual and accurate. Documentaries may be balanced by including
various viewpoints, or they may be subjective, offering the viewpoint and
impressions of one producer.

Voiceover:
The voiceover will usually be authoritative in some way, encouraging the
audience to think that they ither have some kind of specialist knowledge.

Real footage of events:
Documentarys are essentially seen as 'non fiction' although there are
deabtes around this. However, a convention of documentary is that all events
presented to us are to be seen as 'real' by the audience.
Documentarians often go to great lengths to convince us that
he footage is real and unaltered in anyway, although editing and voicover
can affect the 'reality' we, as viewers, see.

Technicility of realism:
Including natural sound and lighting.

Interviews with 'experts':
Used to authenticate the views expressed in the documentary.
Sometimes they willl disagree with the message of the documentary,
although the film-maker will usually disprove them in some way.

Use of text and titles:
The use of words on screens anchors image in time and space.
Labels, dates etc tend to believed unquestioningly and are a quick and
cheap way of conveying informtion.

Sound:
The use of non-diegetic sound is very popular as it gives off certain
effects in particular scenes. Music used should be relevant to the subject
and it shouldnt inerfere with any interviews, this is because the audience
should be able to clearly hear what is being said.

Visual Coding:
The use of mise-en-scene and props makes it more believeable for the viewer.

Editing:
In the interviews the questions are edited out, the editing creates pace for
the documentary so it flows much better. The cutaways used should always
be relevant to what is being talked about.
Other visals used over the interviewee is called creative editing.

Call Sheet

This is the call sheet which I had to fill out when I decide to take

camera equipment off the college premises.

Potential Target Audience

Name: Shona Bannigan
Age: 18
Occupation: Sales advisor/student
Likes: Shopping, clubbing, chilling with friends
Dislikes: Smelly people, unhygenic people
Political Views: None

Name: Blake Shaw
Age: 19
Occupation: Sales assistant
Likes: Driving, clubbing, food
Dislikes: Birds, rats, foxes
Political Views: Labour

Name: Janice Daniel-Neblett
Age: 40
Occupation: Lawyer
Likes: Shopping, cooking, cleaning
Dislikes: Spiders, mess
Political Views: Conservatives

Contacting Interviewee via Email

My name is Vanessa David, I am 18 years old, and I am currently a student
at Havering College in Ardleigh Green. I am currently studying Law, Media
& Sociology A Levels and I am hoping to attend university next year.
I am currently doing my last piece of Media coursework, which is a documentary
about teenage pregnancy.

I am wiriting to you in regards to a possible interview with yourselfor someone on
your team that could answer a few questions about teenage pregnancies.
There are 4 questions to be answered and the interview will only take up to 10 minutes.
The interview will be filmed by myself, using college equipment.
However, it will not be aired on TV, it is just for a part of my coursework which
will determine my grade before my final exam.

Thank you for your time and it would be deeply appreciated if you could reply to this
email, or phone myself about whether you can offer your help.

Yours Sincereley

Vanessa-Amelia Eugenia David

Pre-Documentary Questions

For my documentary I have put together a questionnaire to get opinions on documentaries, this will help me
make a more aesthestically pleasing documentary attracting as many viewers as possible.
Here the questions, please take time out to answer the questions.

1. What age category do you fit into?
      13-17, 18-24, 24+

2. What gender are you?
      Male or Female

3. What are the main features you look for in a documentary?
     Interviews, Cutaways, Facts/Statistics, Informative Voiceovers

4. How many hours do you spend watching documentaries?
     1-2, 3-4, 4+

5. Are you for, against, or not concerned with 'teenage pregnancy'?
     For, Against, Neither

6. Do you think that the government is doing enough to decrease the teenage
    pregnancy rate?
     Yes, No, Don't Know

7. Who do you think is to blame for teenage pregnancies?
     Parents, Teenagers, Media, Society or The Government

8. Do you sometimes feel that documentaries are too long to watch?
     Yes, No, Not Sure

Emailing Possible Interviewees

Email to Margaret Hodge MP of Barking & Dagenham

Email to the communcations department for Newham NHS

Voiceover Script

Seen by many as something of a national shame, Britain's teenage pregnancy rate is the highest in Western Europe. According to data from the Office for National Statistics, 41,325 girls under 18 in England and Wales fell pregnant in 2008, a decline of 3.9% from 2007, while the number of pregnancies among the under-16s fell 7.9% to 7,577. But the decline is far short of the government's pledge to halve teenage pregnancies by 2010. Ministers committed to halve pregnancies among 15-to-17 year olds in England from the 1998 rate of 46.6 conceptions per 1,000 girls. Today's figures show a rate of 40.4 per 1000 girls in 2008 - a drop of just over 13% against the baseline figure.

This combined with the fact that the abortion rate for this group has risen, means there are now several thousand fewer teenage mothers. But how you go about ensuring that trend continues - and indeed accelerates fairly rapidly - is a fraught issue.

Most teenage pregnancies are unplanned and around half end in an abortion. As well it being an avoidable experience for young woman, abortions represent an avoidable cost to the NHS.

(Interview- Doctor/Sexual Health Nurse)

And while for some young women having a child when young can represent a positive turning point in their lives, for many more teenagers bringing up a child is incredibly difficult and often results in poor outcomes for both the teenage parent and the child, in terms of the baby's health, the mother's emotional health and well-being and the likelihood of both the parent and child living in long-term poverty.

But while socially deprived areas still record some of the highest rates in England, the councils showing the biggest increases in conception rates in girls under 18 in London Boroughs such as Redbridge which has risen by 25 per cent and in Barking & Dagenham which has risen by 31.5 per cent.

(Interview- Margaret Hodge)

In the UK, half of all teenagers with children are lone parents, 40% are cohabitating as a couple and 10% are married. Teenage parents are frequently in a romantic relationship at the time of birth, but many adolescent fathers do not stay with the mother and this often disrupts their relationship with the child.

Research has shown that when teenage fathers are included in decision-making during pregnancy and birth, they are more likely to report increased involvement with their children in later years.

(Interview- Blake Shaw)

So what are the government doing to decrease the pregnancy rate in the UK?

In 2009 a multi-million pound initiative to reduce teenage pregnancies more than doubles the number of girls conceiving. The government-backed scheme tried to persuade teenage girls not to get pregnant by handing out condoms and teaching them about sex. But research funded by the Department of Health shows that young women who attended the programmes, at a cost of £2,500 each, were 'significantly' more likely to become pregnant than those on other youth programmes who were not given contraception and sex advice. A total of 16 per cent of those on the Young People's Development Programme conceived compared with just 6 per cent in other programmes. Experts said the scheme failed because it introduced girls 'at risk' of becoming pregnant to promiscuous girls they might not otherwise have met.

Because of peer pressure the more timid teenagers were more likely to have sex and become pregnant.

The £5.9 million Young People's Development Programme was also designed to slash cannabis use and drunkenness among teenagers, but made no difference whatsoever.

A recent survey of 16 to 24 year olds found that 20 percent felt awkward discussing contraception with friends, and nearly 26 percent of them never considered talking about contraception with their partner.

(Interview - Teen mum)

The previous government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was to halve the rate of teenage pregnancies in the UK by 2010 and enable teenage parents to move into education, employment and training. Progress was achieved towards the targets set but there is much more to be done. Straight Talking, with its peer education in schools and its training programme for teenage parents, responds to both aims.

Straight Talking Peer Education was set up as a registered charity in 1998 by Hilary Pannack. Hilary previously had several years experience of working with teenage parents in residential settings and support groups.

Straight Talking provides one to one mentoring, visits from careers advisors, counsellors and other professionals. They are given support with finance issues and signposted for further help. They receive comprehensive support and training to deliver the programme and their progress is regularly monitored, assessed and reviewed. They receive extra training in child protection, classroom behavior management and equal opportunities and diversity.

Straight Talking is based in New Malden, Surrey. Courses are currently delivered in the London Boroughs o f Kingston, Richmond, Hounslow and Barking & Dagenham as well as Birmingham and Somerset.

(Interview with Straight Talking Peer Education)

So it is clear that the government have introduced schemes to help teenage parents, however are they doing enough to stop teens getting pregnant?

02/11/2010

I have now completed my script for the documentary and have also included when the interviews will occur. Also i have decided upon the cutaways i would like to use, though this may slightly change depending on the lengths of the interviews and the narration.

Topic Research

Teenage pregnancy is formally defined as a pregnancy in a young woman who will not reach her 20th birthday before the expected birth, regardless of whether the woman is married or is legally an adult (age 14 to 21, depending on the country). In everyday speech, the speaker is usually referring to unmarried minors who become pregnant unintentionally.

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same obstetrics issues as women in their 20s and 30s. However, there are additional medical concerns for younger mothers, particularly those under fifteen and those living in developing countries. For mothers between 15 and 19, age in itself is not a risk factor, but additional risks may be associated with socioeconomic factors.

In developed countries, teenage pregnancies are associated with many social issues, including lower educational levels, higher rates ofpoverty, and other poorer "life outcomes" in children of teenage mothers. Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage, and carries a social stigma in many communities and cultures. Many studies and campaigns have attempted to uncover the causes and limit the numbers of teenage pregnancies. In other countries and cultures, particularly in the developing world, teenage pregnancy is usually within marriage and does not involve a social stigma. Among OECD developed countries, the United States and New Zealand have the highest level of teenage pregnancy, while Japan and South Korea have the lowest.

List Of Possible Cutaways

Teenagers chilling, talking & smoking


England map


The park – showing kids playing with young mum


Sexual health clinic


2 Teen Mums walking down the high street


A pregnant teenager showing different shots of her body


Welcome to Barking & Dagenham sign


London Map showing Barking & Dagenham


Barking Station


Barking Town Hall


Teen Dad pushing push chair on the pavement


Teen Dad outside where he lives


Teen Dad making bottle for baby


Teen Dad playing Xbox/PS3


Clips of condoms


Pills


Activities at Straight talking peer education

Interview Questions

Doctor/Sexual Health Nurse
1. Do you think teenage pregnancy is a big problem?
2. What support do you offer to pregnant teenagers?
3. Do you know how much abortions are costing the NHS each year?
4. Is it healthy to have a child in your teenage years? Are there any risks or health problems?

MP
1. What do you personally think about the teenage pregnancy rate in Barking & Dagenham?
2. What do the council do to support pregnant teens or teen mums?
3. Do you think more should be done to educate teens on pregnancy?
4. Do you know of any statistics regarding teenage pregnancy in Barking & Dagenham?

Blake Shaw/Teen Dad
1. When did the mother of your child fall pregnant?
2. Was it stressful?
3. What did other people around you think about the fact that your are a father at a young age?
4. What have you learnt since the birth of your son?

Teen Mum
1. Did you get any support during your pregnancy?
2. How has your life changed since?
3. Did you have anyone to talk to about contraception before you fell pregnant?
4. Do you think more should be done to help teenage families?

Straight Talking Peer Education Spokesman
1. What is straight talking peer education?
2. What do you offer for teenage families?
3. Has it been successful since it began?

01/11/2010

I have decided to base my documentary on teenage pregnancy as it is an
important issue in todays society and there are many different opinions
in society and i feel it is important to inform people about the statistics
and what is being done to address the issue and who are involved in doing so.

Newsnight Documentary 1

The chosen documentary is mainly about the Conservatives.
Its an in-depth investigation and analysis of stories in recent headlines.
Jeremy Paxman is at the Conservative
party conference in Birmingham where he asks the Home Secretary
Theresa May if the Conservatives are soft on crime.

In the beginning on this documentary, the director has used
non-diegetic sound during the introduction of the documentary.
Whilst this is happening, there are cutaways of the
prime minister being shown. This was used because the subject
matter at this specific moment was about the prime minister
and his conservative view about child benefits and this
clip of him and his family creates a visual represenation

of the prime minister being portrayed as a caring, family man.

In this screen grab i have chosen this in particular to show how that

the director has used the "rule of thirds" rule, like in many other 

documentaries. By placing your subject, or a key part of your scene,

at or near a point where the lines cross a point of power you'll lead 

your viewer's eye through the image.

The director has also used this, to create a more balanced composition.

Example of Rule Of Thirds

Example of rule of thirds in documentary.

The editor has chosen to use these graphics to make the 

information being told, easier to understand whilst making 

it asethically pleasing to the audience.

In this screen grab the director has used low-key lighting to 

enhance the projector thats being shown in the background 

which is of relevance to what the presenter is talking about in

the bottom right hand corner.

The subject of the matter was about latest on warnings from security

sources in various Western countries that they are uncovering plans to

attack public targets in Europe.

The directors use of sound gave a particular 

representation of all of the interviewees. 

All the interviewees where presented as

middle-class/upper-class, this was clearly heard in their

accent as they spoke the Queens English and were very

well spoken, and also represented as very intelligent as they 

knew alot about the subject matter.

This lady in particular who was talking about child benefits

spoke in a very enthusiatic way, with different tones and

pitches at times, and this type of informative speech keeps 

audience intrigued by the subject matter, making it easier 

to focus.

The editor has used interesting editiing techniques to

help engage the audience, for example, like most documentaries 

styles, newspaper articles that discuss the matter at hand 

are shown to prove the importance and exposure of the matter

thats being spoken about. This is an important editing technique 

for documentarys as it does many things, e.g it promotes the 

newspaper, backs up the narrators point with evidence, 

and somewhat makes the audience emphasise more on the

subject matter.

Newspaper Advertisement First Draft

Possible Title Sequence (Draft)