Analysis of Michael Moore’s Treatment of His Subject Matter within the Documentaries Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 911

Analysis of Michael Moore’s Treatment of His Subject Matter within the Documentaries Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 911

“A documentary may be as a film or television or radio programme that

provides factual information about a subject. Typically, a documentary

is a journalistic record of events presented on screen.”

The main conventions of documentaries tend to be that the documentary

has voice-over commentary; the main focus is on the issues rather than

relationships between characters, they also build up the setting so

the viewer can build up a context.

Documentaries do not leave on cliff hangers, they usually end with a

conclusion or final interpretation to provoke thought on the issue and

make the audience become more educated and informed of the subject.

“Documentaries often strive to capture a sense of realism, ‘programmes

reflect and report on the real through the use of recorded images and

sounds of actuality’.”

The four main camera techniques used to capture images for

documentaries are:

· ‘Fly on the wall’ camera work - designed to appear as if the camera

crew was not present

· ‘Verite’ camera work - continuously hand held shot. Used to

simulate the viewer experiencing the person looking and moving around

within the documentary. Investigative journalists commonly use this

technique.

· ‘Secret Recording’ - hidden cameras used to capture evidence and

truths

· ‘Video Diary’ style.

Documentaries are a popular form of information entertainment.

Documentaries are not expensive to screen, for there is no need for

actors, screenwriters, expensive sets or large production crews.

Audi...

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... example is the president. Moore captures the president’s

sensitive side. Also Charlton Heston, as he walks away from the camera

unable to answer Moore’s request of

"After that happened you came to Flint to hold a big rally and, you

know, I just, did you feel it was being at all insensitive to the fact

that this community had just gone through more tragedy?"

Moore then continues,

"You think you'd like to apologize to the people in Flint for coming

and doing that at that time?"

Moore takes full advantage of the fact that he knows about Heston,

having known of the shootings, and the fact that Heston had pretended

he did not.

In conclusion, Moore has presented two documentaries, from his own

point of view, to present his views and some truths. Creating his

desired effect, to inform and explain his view.