Supersize me essayUsing supersize me as a basis, identify the ways in which American society is represented both positively and negatively. In doing so analyse the way in which the producer utilises stylistic devices in order to create meaning for the audience.

In this essay I will be analysing how the theatrical documentary ‘supersize me’ represents American society both positively and negatively. This style of documentary is investigative where the purpose was to show the negative effects of fast food by Morgan Spurlock eating mcdonalds every day for 30 days.

The documentary shows many negatives of American society such as obesity which is a big problem in America. Morgan Spurlock represented obesity as a negative in American society through the use of his script. His script for the documentary was meaningful and comedic but also filled with lots of research about obesity in America. ‘Each day 1 in 4 Americans visits a fast food restaurant.’ Also vox pops of obese people were used throughout the documentary. However another negative seen in supersize me was the number of fast food restaurants advertised but also the number of fast food restaurants such as mcdonalds in a small area. Morgan Spurlock used a still camera to interview small children to see if they were able to recognise famous icons but they were only able to recognise fast food icons such as Ronald mcdonald through the use of advertisements in America. ‘The average child sees 10,000 food advertisements a year.’ We are able to see the different American fast food places as the documentary is opened with a quick fire montage of fast food restaurants.

However American society is also represented positively in the theatrical documentary supersize me as American healthcare professionals have a lot of knowledge about fast food and its effects. This is seen as Morgan Spurlock takes numerous visits to the health care services where he is informed about the effect and knowledge American professionals have on fast food through interviews. For the interviews a still camera is used of a medium/close up of the healthcare professional to make it more formal. The professionals are also framed in the correct setting ie. A doctors surgery as well as wearing suitable clothing during the interviews (doctors wearing white coats.) Also the professionals are credited through the use of titles. Another positive for American society is the amount of health care services and professionals available to seek help which is seen through a handheld camera. A handheld camera is used to create a sense of realism towards the audience. But an interview is used to show a man who lost lots of weight through the help of American health services by having a gastric band. A handheld camera is used during the interview to create realism.

Overalll the theatrical documentary supersize me creates both positive and negative representations in American society. This is done through lots of research on American society and their attitudes towards fast food.