Documentary Research

By Craig Dennett

Wonder Of The Solar System

• The target audience of Wonders of The Solar System is anyone aged 15+ Its on just past the watershed, but is also on mainstream terrestrial television, showing the show is aimed at a massive audience, as rather than being on a specific ‘science’ channel its on mainstream television, during prime time viewing. The show’s target audience is improved by the host, Prof Brian Cox is very young for a professor, and has a very clever, cool delivery of the information being explained, that together with his previous career as a band member of one hit wonders D-Ream extends the target audience to include fans of the band, fans of music, and younger audiences, as well. The five-part series, presented by the physicist Brian Cox, opened with 2.77 million viewers and a 10.3% share in the 9pm hour.

Spellbound

• Spellbound target audience was most people, of all ages.

• Kids would be interested as spelling bees are things they will probably involve themselves in, and adults are learning how the kids who enter are treated.

• Different nations got involved with Spellbound, they do it to become interested in the way Americans are.

• Spellbound began in the states, the later released in Canada, after the success over that side of the Atlantic, the UK released it here one year after the states.

Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

• Big Fat Gypsy wedding is aimed at teenagers over any other age group, this is linked with the time it is on TV (9 O’clock)

• Also it is a very controversial documentary, which matches the channel match it (channel 4)

• The show uses the interviews to control the pace and narrative of the documentary, in a similar way to spellbound.

• Although in contrast to Spellbound this documentary has a large amount of voice over's involved.

• Quick cuts

• Voice over

• Interviews

• Group interviews

• Planet Earth is aimed at any age group, but specifically an older audience. It is on BBC 1, this means it is available to most people watching TV anywhere, being on terrestrial TV, this means it can be watched by a larger audience.

• It uses conventions like the ‘voice of God’ style narration by David Attenbourgh, this is due to his knowledge and naturally deep rich voice.

• As he talks the screen shows lots of interesting things, while he explains what's going on.

• David Attenbough is also used as a star vehicle as he is known for his extremely long career in the industry.

• Long shots

• Slow cuts

• Pan shots