The Marketing of Meat Loaf

Documentary Analysis

Narrative Structure

Mixed- it involves interviews with various camera sizes whilst incorporates conventional cut aways and a voice over narrating throughout

Non-linear- it’s not in chronological order as events occur when its relevant with the speakers words

Single Strand- it focuses on one topic (Artist, Meat Loaf)Closed-all questions are answered

Themes- Looking at the influence of the media

Camera WorkShots within InterviewsConventional• Interviewees eyes line up with the intersects of the screen’s thirds (whether it be a medium close up, a close up or a

big close up)• The interviewee is positioned off centre therefore slightly to the left or right of screen, and looking away from the

cameraUnconventionalOne interview was unconventional however, as the interviewee’s whole body was facing to the left therefore the audience

could only see his profile. In my opinion, this didn’t work as being positively effective as it creates a barrier between him and us as viewers.

Other shots•Tracking shot- revealing fans, emphasizes the amount as the camera needs to move to show them all•Variety of framing to keep the viewers interested•Hand held camera on actuality footage- this is so the audience can follow the action promptly•Tilting and panning was used to film the archive material- the camera movements are used to keep the audience visually interested rather than using a static shot•Point of view shot- going into the betting office, audience can get an insight of what the man was doing (more involved)

Mise En Scene

• Chromo key behind interviewee, adding a still image of Meat Loaf or archive material of the media (e.g. magazine, tabloids etc)- anchors interviewee to the topic or theme of the documentary

• The set of the recording studio for another interview- connotes music, relating to singer, Meat Loaf

Sound

• Voice over narrates throughout- his narration links everything together

• He has a clear, calm voice however with a slight sarcastic tone. This reinforces how the audience have been manipulated into believing everything they see in the media about Meat Loaf is true.

Archive Material Videos• Award ceremonies• Music videos (some of Meat Loaf, others of chart busters in this time period e.g. Mr

Blobby).This implies the humility of the artist as he is compared to a children’s character

therefore is portrayed to be a laughing stock and becoming unsuccessful.Images• Magazines • Newspaper articles• Mr Blobby reaching number one, beating Meatloaf

This proves the press discussing Meat Loaf and reinforcing the conflict of him lacking in the music business whilst anchoring the theme of the documentary

Editing

• Some interviewees are edited in and out of shots with the archive material. They have used a dissolve animation to do so.

• Montage of different interviews put together. Portraying the idea of Meat Loaf being the main focus and also making the documentary slightly more interesting to watch.

• Cutting from Meat Loaf speaking to voice over. This portrays two different personas which reverts back to the theme as it represents a conflict between the two, reinforcing one side of the argument being against Meat Loaf.

Graphics

• Name of interviewee, relevance to topic underneath in slightly smaller writingSimple white writingPositioned at the bottom left/right of screen