Kid Criminals Film Analysis
How far is the spectator challenged by issues of manipulation in documentary film? Refer to the films you have studied for this topic.
In the Channel 4 documentary Kid Criminals, our views and opinions are challenged through the use of certain techniques such as cinematography, mise en scene, editing and sound.
The messages and values that we expect to see in Kid Criminals is challenged through the use of cinematography. The opening of Kid Criminals helps to draw the viewer in by showing the facility through the use of a panning high angle where the criminals are being held. Once the camera has settled we are shown the children that are shackled together. This is contrasted when we are shown the criminals parents in their own environment. Particularly with CC, we see her step-father looking at young pictures of CC and crying. This scene has been specifically placed so that the audience can sympathise with the step-father and therefore sympathise with CC herself. This goes against what you would normally expect to feel about a criminal. You would expect to not feel sorry for them and that they are rightfully in prison however this scene changes that. …show more content…
The representation of the facility reaches the audiences expectations of a criminal facility in America.
We see the kids in cages like animals showing just how bad some of the kids in the facility are. This is one of the first shots that is seen once the camera has settled. We also frequently see the American flag as the camera is panning over the fence of the facility. This is a constant reminder that the documentary is set in America. The close ups and slow motions of the shackles on the children are another reminder that the facility is very negative even though from the outside it does not look like
it.
The stereotypes that the audience associates with certain images and shots. For example, we are introduced to the families of the inmates dispelling the myth that we do not expect criminals to have a family. The interviews with the families show close ups of pictures of their children making the audience sympathise with the family particularly if the audience is a parent themselves. It therefore makes the audience feel closer to what is happening in the documentary and how they can prevent something like this happening to their own children.
The reactions of the criminals in the cells enables the audience to feel reassured that they are in the right place in prison. An example of this is where we see some criminals through the cell door, therefore linking their behaviour with the consequences they are facing. This is shown through the performance of the criminals and how they behaviour in front of the camera. For example, Amanda is pleading to be released before her 18th birthday however her performance suggests that she doesn't really care about what she has done to be put in prison in the first place. This is shown through the editing of the documentary as we see Amanda playing with her hair as though she isn't thinking about the reasons she is in prison.
Certain audiences of Kid Criminals could be passive or active depending on where they are watching the documentary. For example, if you are watching the documentary with other people your reaction would be different to someone who is watching on their own. As an active viewer, you are freer to react to the documentary and say certain things about it if you were watching at home whereas a passive viewer would just watch the documentary and not voice their opinions of what is happening in it.
In conclusion, Kid Criminals uses techniques such as cinematography and editing to alter the spectator's expectations of the documentary. Their expectations are challenged and therefore make the audience think more about the documentary.
In the Channel 4 documentary Kid Criminals, our views and opinions are challenged through the use of certain techniques such as cinematography, mise en scene, editing and sound.
The messages and values that we expect to see in Kid Criminals is challenged through the use of cinematography. The opening of Kid Criminals helps to draw the viewer in by showing the facility through the use of a panning high angle where the criminals are being held. Once the camera has settled we are shown the children that are shackled together. This is contrasted when we are shown the criminals parents in their own environment. Particularly with CC, we see her step-father looking at young pictures of CC and crying. This scene has been specifically placed so that the audience can sympathise with the step-father and therefore sympathise with CC herself. This goes against what you would normally expect to feel about a criminal. You would expect to not feel sorry for them and that they are rightfully in prison however this scene changes that. …show more content…
The representation of the facility reaches the audiences expectations of a criminal facility in America.
We see the kids in cages like animals showing just how bad some of the kids in the facility are. This is one of the first shots that is seen once the camera has settled. We also frequently see the American flag as the camera is panning over the fence of the facility. This is a constant reminder that the documentary is set in America. The close ups and slow motions of the shackles on the children are another reminder that the facility is very negative even though from the outside it does not look like
it.
The stereotypes that the audience associates with certain images and shots. For example, we are introduced to the families of the inmates dispelling the myth that we do not expect criminals to have a family. The interviews with the families show close ups of pictures of their children making the audience sympathise with the family particularly if the audience is a parent themselves. It therefore makes the audience feel closer to what is happening in the documentary and how they can prevent something like this happening to their own children.
The reactions of the criminals in the cells enables the audience to feel reassured that they are in the right place in prison. An example of this is where we see some criminals through the cell door, therefore linking their behaviour with the consequences they are facing. This is shown through the performance of the criminals and how they behaviour in front of the camera. For example, Amanda is pleading to be released before her 18th birthday however her performance suggests that she doesn't really care about what she has done to be put in prison in the first place. This is shown through the editing of the documentary as we see Amanda playing with her hair as though she isn't thinking about the reasons she is in prison.
Certain audiences of Kid Criminals could be passive or active depending on where they are watching the documentary. For example, if you are watching the documentary with other people your reaction would be different to someone who is watching on their own. As an active viewer, you are freer to react to the documentary and say certain things about it if you were watching at home whereas a passive viewer would just watch the documentary and not voice their opinions of what is happening in it.
In conclusion, Kid Criminals uses techniques such as cinematography and editing to alter the spectator's expectations of the documentary. Their expectations are challenged and therefore make the audience think more about the documentary.