Notes on Existing Documentaries

Notes on Existing Documentaries 


The Actor's Apprenticeship is a documentary based on the "importance of the UK repertory theatre system" and the "role of the actor in 2017". This documentary in particular heavily features interviews.

   

Notes whilst watching:

  • Introduction
  • Title sequence
  • Speaks about the topic whilst sat close to a theatre, shows relevancy 
  • Cuts away to reference evidence supporting what he is speaking about, with credit (e.g. BBC One)
  • Music fits nicely in background
  • Topics covered - 
    • Evolution of actors in theatre
    • Progression of difficulty in making it as an actor
    • Noticed that older actors were crying out
  • Introduction ends in a question he will try to answer throughout
  • 1st segment is definition (what rep means), opened with interviews
    • Interviews speak about their own experience with rep
  • 2nd segment is relationship
  • 3rd segment is audience
  • 4th segment is benefits and flaws
    • Talks about being versatile, hard working and experiencing learning and rehearsing in short spaces of time
  • 5th segment is demise
    • People wanted them to fail
  • 6th segment is rep today - Actors in the present day have not had much practice having within the single digits of days to rehearse - which "makes it more rewarding when pulled off" 
  • 7th segment is the present
  • Key things being talked about include:
  •        Lack of knowledge on how to tackle the industry, actors can we exposed very early do to social media, typically cast on how actors look and not about talent & working hard


Reflecting on the interview after watching: 

'The actor's apprenticeship' is a great documentary for me to pull inspiration from, as it is one of the only interviews I have been able to find that has similarities to what I am aiming to create. 

Aspects I want to include in my own:
  • Interviews - I like the almost jumping around of clips. The interviews do not play one person at a time, rather move on before interest can be lost / a good point was made. I think this will be effective throughout my own project as it is the style I find most interesting to watch and will ensure captivation of the audience - which will be beneficial if those watching are not particularly interested in the topic of the documentary. 
  • Suitable background music - As I personally am put off by an unsuitable choice of music, whether that be due to the volume, tempo, genre etc. I think it is extremely important to spend time finding something that works well, which can be seen throughout this documentary and I will aim to reflect this in my own.
  • Proof of research - This documentary-maker has infiltrated many statistics, facts and figures, evident in the thorough introduction and throughout the entirety of the documentary. As documentaries are wholly non-fiction and real, it is important to emphasise the truth behind the content I am producing, which can be portrayed through statistics,









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