Bleach , Nip And Tuck Pdf[1]

Natalie Williams Documentary analysis Bleach, Nip and Tuck: the white myth The documentary in which I have chosen to analyze is Bleach, Nip tuck: The white Myth. This documentary was broadcasted on channel four and uses all the technical aspects of cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, and sound. I will analyze the opening 5 minutes of the documentary using all 4 of the technical aspects and distinguish the ways in which it addresses the audience. Firstly, according to Bill Nichols �Introduction to Documentary� the mode that this documentary would develop under would be the Expository Mode as it addresses social issues into an argumentative frame; in this case it highlights the social issue of race , not only this but it mediated by a voice- Of God narration. However it reflects elements of The Performative Mode as it has emotional and subjective areas which would communicate a different meaning to different people. The mise- on scene within the documentary allows the audience to know and make relation within the themes through the setting, costume/uniform etc. Within comparison to this documentary we see an association with plastic surgery, and we know this by the way in which a range of cutaways are shown of theatre rooms as well as patients �going under the knife.� From the perspective of the audience we don�t only know this by the cut-a -ways used, which reflects the editing and the approach which it carries a message and clearer picture to the issue/topic. Furthermore, we see a montage sequence of Michel Jackson and the technique that are emerged together we see a significant change in the colour of his skin. This again reenforces the topic of the documentary and shows a much more disturbing image of the way in which society has become more and more obsessed with image and race .

Close up shot: Cut-away of patients in surgery.

Throughout the opening there are uses of small clips from interviews. Often the mise-en-scene and

the location of the interviews reflect the occupation of the interviewee. This is a insightful tool used as the audience can identify with the individual that is being interviewed. For example there is a clip coming from the point of view of the surgeon. We know he is a surgeon by his clothing and the doctor�s surgery in which the interview is framed in. An essential part of a documentary is the framing and how it comes across to the audience. The director ensuring that the rule of thirds is used will convey a more accurate and clearer �easy on the eye� point.

Framing on the interview we know that he is a surgeon not only this but by his uniform.

Again we know that he is a DJ through the mise-en-scene and his clothing. We again see the use of the �Rule of Thirds�.

In contrast to the interviews with those of more authority, you notice that alot of the interviews seem informal. As the camera follows three main individuals and how they have been affected by the issues of wanting to be seen as �more Caucasian.� Although they are not framed using the rule of thirds within the interview the mise-en-scene again has a much more important part to play as it shows whether the person is for or against the topic. This is an important component of a documentary as they should always have a balanced argument. However, the lighting often changes as we hear the voice over (non-diegetic sound) and a more reflective atmosphere is created. There is more of a focus on the outside world as the high key lighting emphasises this, and a less light is projected on to the individual.

The lighting is much darker as the audience hear the voice over. We as the audience can see the reflective mood through the shot and lighting in order to make a impact of thought.

We can see that this represents the fact that is being heavily impacted by the way society perceives them which primarily puts them in a dark place, as issues such as self-esteem emerge. Although it has reflective elements the editing is actually at a very faced pace. The juxtapositioning of shots are very short and rapid but at the same time very effective as it illustrates how quick and easy it is to

change your appearance i.e. having plastic surgery in order to change your physical image. As the documentary moves on we notice cinematically we see a long still image of Michael Jackson face again as the nondiegetic sound of narration/voice over explains the importance of the image as it again represents the fact that society now has a fixed obsession with appearance and a aspiration to have a look that is seen to be more acceptable, desirable or attractive. Placing another long paced shot of an individual with a fixed image on having a lighter or whiter skin colour after the image of Michael Jackson is another long paced shot which then brings the documentary to reality as the audience can now see the similarities to what is going on within the world today. Two long still images that are shown to show what people in society are aspiring to look like, in order to Caucasian features.

The fact that the image is used for a long period of time conveys the importance of the image. Not only that it has been shown for a long amount of time but the fact that it has been repeated as it was the first image shown in the documentary. I believe that this is a tool that again will trigger thought which a documentary should aim to do. Having a cut-a-away over an interview is also a technique that can carry a stronger a clearer side to the argument. It corresponds with the point that the interviewee is making. This shows an important role within editing as the editor has the role of ensuring that the cut-away and the interview match in order to address the issues to the audience. The channel 4 documentary does this as again we see individuals on their day to day life and this bring more reality to the documentary as it assists the audience to reflect and again prompts thought. Having strong shots where the audience can obviously see the issues is also very emotional. In connection to Bill Nichol�s theory it would show that the documentary would actually fall under the performative mode. A medium shot is shown of a young lady at home with her family. Her being the darkest in her family is shown to be an emotional topic. This changes to a close up of their arms. Therefore the use of this medium shot of her and her husband�s feet the audience can see the direct issue at hand.

Medium shot: f husband and wife at home this shows a CLEAR the skin colour difference between husband and wife.

In terms of sound, a lot of non- diegetic score music and sound is used. The majority of the sound throughout the documentary is the use of voice over. Nevertheless digetic sound is used between the interviewer and the interviewee. The score music is mainly used over cut-aaways. This music is slow and almost brings sadness to what�s on screen. Score music plays in an important in role in aiding in the message of the documentary and usually reflects the themes highlighted within the documentary. Although it is about people that actually want to change their image in order to become more �white� the under laying issues are with self- confidence and self �esteem and by the score music we know that it is actually seen as a very sensitive subject.

In conclusion, many documentaries use the technical aspects of cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing and sound in order to create a successful documentary. To create a balanced argument they must be applied. This is just one of many documentaries that do this, however the technique and the way the message is conceded can be very different. This is evident in the �introduction to documentary� (Bill Nichols) but all aim to bring many social issues to the attention of their audience.