Super Size MeMegan James

Type of Documentary.This is a ‘Mixed Documentary.’It consists of interviews, observations and

there are elements of mise-en-scene.Also a lot of the cast acknowledge and talk to

the camera.

ThemesHealthy v Fast Food (Binary Opposition)ObesityDietingHow the fast food industry manipulates

othersProfitPersonal Responsibility.

Narrative

Structure.

Interviews & Voiceovers.Linear – The film follows Spurlock over a period of 30 days as he eats nothing but fast food – we follow him in order of these days.

Multi-stranded – The main plot line in this film is how Spurlock eating fast food will affect his body but there is also a multitude of other topics covered e.g facts about McDonalds, the obesity crisis in America etc.Propp’s Theory:Hero: Voiceover (Spurlock)Villain: Fast foodPrincess: The people of America who have fallen into the use of fast food chains and the obesity crisis.

Open and Closed Narrative – The film is a closed narrative because we find out what happens to Spurlock’s body after consuming nothing but fast food for 30 days and at the end of the film we learn what happened to a lot of people who were interviewed. However, it is a closed narrative because we still have questions unanswered e.g What will happen to fast food in America? Will obesity levels go down? Etc.

Camerawork. Two shots – two shots were used mostly when Spurlock was talking to

people such as Doctors and/or Nutritionists and when he was interviewing some members of the public. This is done to show how Spurlock is so involved with the film and everyone in it, it also reinforces the importance of the people he is speaking to and how their words relate to the film’s topics.

Zooming in – The camera repeatedly zooms in to important images such as food, fast food logos, Spurlock’s blood test results etc. These are used to show the importance of the things on the screen and to emphasise how relevant they are to the film.

Camerawork. Handheld – A handheld camera is used when Spurlock is in his car

and his house when he is talking about how the food is affecting him. This is done to make his experiences more personal and make the audience feel more involved.

Establishing shots are used to set the locations of each use e.g. McDonalds’, different cities etc. These are used to help the audience understand the context of the film and realise where the next scene will be set.

Mise-en-scene. McDonalds ‘M’ sign is shown continuously throughout the

documentary to reinforce the importance of the company.

In the Doctor’s room there is medical equipment everywhere and the Doctor’s/Nutritionist’s code of attire are lab coats to reinforce their profession.

Mise-en-scene. At the end of the film, we were shown how much fat and sugar

Spurlock had consumed by the nutritionist putting it into tubs so we could see the measurements easier – this was done to show how bad fast food is and how much unwanted items we consume into our bodies by eating it.

When Spurlock was in fast food restaurants menu’s were shown to show how they all sell similar things. This is also done to reinforce the idea that all fast food restaurants are the same.

Sound.Spurlock’s voice is used as a voiceover

throughout the documentary to narrate what is happening at different stages of the film, this is done to inform the viewer and help them to understand the film’s context as well as to emphasise points made by people being interviewed in the film.

Music from old McDonald’s adverts are used during montage’s to reinforce that McDonalds is a huge brand and business that has been around for a while.

Sound.Non-diegetic music is used during certain

scenes of the film that relate to the situation occurring in the scene. For example, during one scene, in which we see Spurlock sitting down and eating a large amount of food a song with lyrics “I hope you got fat” is played in the background. This helps reinforce the point Spurlock is making.

Editing.The camera continuously cuts from

clips of people being interviewed to pictures that relate to what they’re talking about whilst the interviewee’s voice is still being played in the background.

There is also a wide range of swipes, fades and other transitions throughout the documentary.

Archive Material. News Broadcasts and Newspaper articles are used to show the

seriousness of a point being made in the film and to make the audience think about he effect of the point that is being made.

Old McDonald’s TV commercials are used to show how McDonald’s has been around for a long time and to show how it is a hugely successful brand and business.

Archive Material.Advertisements for fast food places e.g posters

and TV adverts are used throughout the film to show the popularity of fast food chains.

Graphics. Pie Charts and Cartoon Visuals are used to emphasise points made

throughout the film and to make them more understandable and to show their importance.

Subtitles are used when the audience may not be able to understand what a person being interviewed is saying so that they can understand them.

Graphics.Animations are used throughout the film, such

as clips of the world map and many others to emphasise points being made and to put them in a visual context that people may understand more.