Documentary analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UljzJoCwLO4&NR=1

I have chosen to analyse a short extract of the 2009 BBC documentary ‘WOUNDED’ the documentary is the first look at the recovery and rehabilitation of severely injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan, the documentary uses a number of devices to captivate the audience including cinematography, mise en scene, sound and editing, I am going to be analyzing these elements in detail.

The cinematography used in the documentary is very detailed and captivating for the viewer, the way the shots are put together blend and show the continuity of the documentary for the audience, the choice of shot is also very important for the documentary as certain cutaways and interviews are shot to show the extent of injuries or the speed in which a soldier is brought to a hospital(see figure 1 left) . The documentary opens using footage shot by a soldier presumably a camera attached to his helmet this gives the viewer an idea of what it is like to be a soldier in Afghanistan and the way it blends in with the on screen text also builds tension for the viewer as they are expecting something to happen.The following shots show the rapid journey of the soldiers trip from Afghanistan to a selly oak hospital mostly mid shots are used for this as a mid shot gives the audience a sense of the location as well as the people within it. The following shots are mostly shot in the hospital showing Andy Allan’s first few moments in the hospital and how he is being treated (see figure 2 right), these shots blend with the voiceover well and also show the audience how the soldiers are treated whilst in hospital, close ups are also used in this part of the documentary for example the loose close up on the soldiers severely burnt face, these shots give the audience an idea of the extent of the soldiers injuries and the service they are doing for the country. The interviews that are shot in this short sequence are all shot well and all apply the rule of thirds with exception to the interview which contains two people, they are also shot taking into consideration of the location or why they are there for example the soldiers interview is shot with a loose close up in order to show that he has lost his arm or the shot of the nurse with a hospital bed behind her (see figure 3 left) .







The main use of mise en scene in wounded is lighting and character placement and props the main props are things such as hospital equipment which are included in the shot to give the audience an idea of the location and surroundings.Character placement is vital for shooting an interview, the rule of thirds in applied well within most interviews and all are shot well, with character position in places to show detail and presence(see figure 4 right). The lighting used is mostly natural light for the cutaways and the interviews seen as most are outside on a fairly sunny day or in a well lit hospital.

Sound is a key part in any documentary as the voiceover and score music often carries and allows the documentary to flow. The documentary does not open using the voiceover as the on screen text is enough to keep the audience to engaged, once the voiceover enters the documentary it is very informative and formal, the voiceover is key in explaining and getting the point of the documentary across to the viewer. The voiceover also blends well with the shots and interviews and gives good detail as to what is happening and for example is very informative of the soldier’s injuries. The non diegetic sound is delicate but yet noticeable within the documentary it connotes a feeling of seriousness and sadness. The diegetic sound is also good within the documentary for example the sirens of the ambulance and the sound of heart monitors in the hospital add to the detail of the documentary as well as the shots. The interviews are all recorded well with the sound being clear for the audience.

Editing is key in bringing the piece together this documentary has blended the shots and sound together well and the juxtaposition of shots is very good throughout and the whole thing flows, the opening of the piece is edited very well with the on screen text and the footage shot by a soldier sharply cutting in and out(see figure 5-6 left), This keeps the audience engaged and builds tension because they are expecting something to happen. My only criticism of the editing is that there are no on screen titles of people that are interviewed, even though the voiceover informs the viewer of who they I think it is conventional for a documentary to have on screen titles to appear. For the most part the editing is sharp and flows naturally throughout.




I think that the documentary applies all elements of cinematography, mise en scene, sound and editing well and has a steady and natural flow as well has being informative and detailed in its narrative.