Sunday, 19 March 2017

DOCUMENTARY: Pre-Production [Miss-Representation (2011, Dir: Jennifer Siebel Newsom)]


“Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation exposes how mainstream media and culture contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America.”  - http://therepresentationproject.org/film/miss-representation/about-the-film/#synopsis

On-screen text: Opens with quote.
Followed by statistics.
Combines Stock footage of women in media, news clips etc, Cut-ins to interviews to set tone and introduce topic.

Director voice over with pictures: babies, lady looking out over field.
Stock footage of female children finally settling on home pictures
Introduction to young people through shots of young people, followed by facts – on screen text.

Interview with high school students – how female representation in media has affected their lives (This interview presents the problem and adds emotion)
Interview with Jean Kilbourne, EdD (Filmmaker, author & scholar) – photoshop and image manipulation (This interview explains one of the causes of the problem)
Interview with Jim Steyer, (Lawyer & Civil Rights professor) – age differences in cognitive development and ability to understand media images (This interview backs up the discussion with scientific information)
Interview with Katie Kouric (News Anchor) –  worries about effect on own children(This interview gives a relevant and informed, relatable and personal story from a famous figure to build emotion)
Interview with Margaret Cho (Comedienne, Actor & Activist) –  media industry’s sexist double standard towards body image and personal health issues  (This interview adds another cause to the problem)
Interview with M. Gigi Durham (Author and Professor) – Advertisers use sex to sell so programming must compete (Presents a conclusion to why this is happening)

Self-reflexive, subject driven.
Director’s voice over directs audiences and adds emotional, personal narrative. Page turns.
Sets up the problem then uses interviews to discuss the cause, effect and explanation.
Interviews usually MCU, white studio or highly blurred background to make subjects stand out.
Stock footage in place of actuality or sequencing.
On screen text: gently re-directs narrative, presents key facts and figures, highlights and backs up key points and breaks up interview heavy film.
Director introduces specific interview subjects – inspirational characters

Narrative focus shifts to women in politics.
Follows previous narrative structure.
Voice over and sequencing introduces Devanshi Patel, aspiring public services student.
Interview explains her interest in politics and youth governor.
Interview with Devanshi’s mother adds highly personal element not available with other interviews.
Continued voice over from Devanshi explains her struggles with sexism and comments on body image.
On screen text explains Devanshi’s campaign loss and voice over leads narrative on again.


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