Summary Of The Film 'OASIS'
Documentaries are a powerful way of informing an audience about a particular person, place or issue within society. This film style is very popular with filmmakers for when they want to tell a person or place’s story like in The OASIS and the work of Captain Paul Moulds; a volunteer for The Salvation Army and manager of Sydney’s OASIS refuge. The Australian film is a full length documentary filmed over two years that provides a realistic observation of Paul’s efforts and the challenging lives of the homeless youth. They achieve this by using a natural tone and personal point of view throughout the film. As well as, consistent use of stylistic features, filming techniques, diegetic and non-diegetic audio, various lighting and editing techniques.
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Captain Paul Moulds.
The documentary The OASIS (2008) is about a homeless youth refuge in Sydney and follows around Captain Paul Moulds and his work at the OASIS. During the film they follow many young adults supported by the OASIS. This includes: Darren, a battling drug addict who was abandoned by his mother at age eight and abused by his foster family; Haley, a heavy drug addict who has failed to turn up to detox meetings several times and is mostly assisted by Paul Moulds’ wife Robbin; Chris, a troubled young adult who has a tragic ending and, Beau, a fairly unstable teen with several mental issues. It also follows Paul, his dedication to helping young people and his journey to find his birth parents after being left at a Salvation Army centre when he was just a baby.
The OASIS’ informal interview style is helps the film maintain a realistic and natural documentary that gives the film credibility and reinforces realism in the documentary. Therefore, connecting with the audience and allowing for a more authentic delivery of the story and what they’re going through. During the documentary, the film crew interview many people like when talking to people like Hayley the film crew just take her outside and let her sit on a wall or stand on a footpath as they get her to tell her story. However, they only once purposely set up an interview area and lighting for a semi-formal interview. This occurs when Darren is inside an abandoned building to take shelter for the night and he is purposely positioned centre frame with a directional light to his right casting a shadow on his left side. This lighting technique creates contrast of a figurative dark side of him (his past and life experiences) and his light side (getting help, quitting drugs, getting off the streets) coming out of the light and making the changes required. Throughout the documentary they use mainly natural lighting from the sun, room and street lights, moon/stars to light their subjects. By making that lighting choice they make the documentary feel and look observational, as the camera doesn’t obtrude only observes the events unfolding. This unobtrusive element is also seen in the lack of re-enactments which occur in the film.
Darren during his interview with directional lighting showing dark and light contrast.
The choice of not using re-enactments in the documentary The OASIS reinforces the observational style. It’s easy to manipulate and dramatize a re-enactment in a documentary, so, by not including any in the film they make it easier to follow the storyline and make the film honest and not a manipulated occurrence of the events that unfold during the documentary. Instead of re-enactments the film makers have chosen to use a variety of handheld, observational style camerawork to film the subjects.
Calling his mother and confessing his drug addiction – Observational footage.
Within the film many elements are used to create a realistic representation of the events that unfold in the documentary.
The way these documentaries are filmed play a major part in how the audience’s responds to it. The OASIS documentary is filmed typically with handheld observational camerawork. This is important as it gives an authentic personal feel to the documentary and helps put us into the action, bringing us closer to empathize with the subjects. There is also some use of archival footage and minimal use of graphics. Archival footage is seen when Darren goes back to his mum’s house. His mother is filmed showing the film crew pictures of Darren during his childhood. The pictures are then displayed on screen in a presentation style as Darren’s mother talks about funny stories of him. By having the archival footage they give insight into how innocent and lovely some of these teens lives were and that anyone could be in the position they are in now after making a few bad choices. The graphics in The OASIS also play a big part in introducing new characters and building relationships between them. If a different person is presented in the documentary then their name appears in unobtrusive white writing. This assists the audience with keeping track of each of the young people that the documentary is focusing on and helps establish the timeline and documentary’s ‘flow’. Nevertheless, footage isn’t the only way that the film crew use to give the documentary an authentic feel. The OASIS also uses music, whether diegetic or
non-diegetic.
Example of the simple graphics at the start of film.
Diegetic music is sound that is seen on screen or in reality. Diegetic sounds within the film include street noise, dialogue and conversations. Non- Diegetic sound are those that an editor has added in after filming like background music, expressive sound effects and voice-overs. The OASIS uses mainly diegetic sounds within the documentary to create a natural feeling throughout the documentary and hook the audience into the storyline of the film. Though, the documentary does contain some non-diegetic sounds like background music to compliment the mood of a scene. Despite, the music being very subtle and mostly goes unnoticed. This is heard during Chris’ funeral as they placed soft, sombre music to emphasise the sadness that all the people at the OASIS and his friends are feeling due to his sudden death. By doing this they connect with the emotions of the audience and make them morn for Chris’ sudden death. The non-diegetic music that they use also draws the audience in and makes the viewers feel a part of the action and events that unfold, giving the documentary a natural, authentic feel. Editing and sequencing within the documentary is also important when it comes to giving the film a natural and authentic feel.
Coverage of Chris’ funeral matched with emotive non-diegetic music.
Editing and sequencing in The OASIS is somewhat invisible and hard to notice unless you’re looking for it. This is done by not using fancy transitions and fades, but instead using short cuts to connect long continuous shots and scenes. An example for this is when the camera crew is following the young adults they only use cuts to pass time or change shot types. The sequencing of The OASIS is subtle as well. The film is in a liner structure however when watching the film you cannot tell that it goes over two full years. The combination of important plot points makes it feel like it was filmed in a shorter timeline then it actually was. By doing this they can get rid of the ‘boring’ bit or days when nothing entertaining happened. However, by keeping it liner they still give it a credible and realistic feeling, allowing the audience to see how a subject’s life has progressed and the impact Paul’s support has had over a set period of time.
In conclusion, the documentary The OASIS is a great example of a powerful film which has informed an audience about a particular group of people, a place and important issue in society. It has used a range of codes and conventions to ensure a particular style is conveyed along with a particular message and mood. The documentary engages the target audience of other young Australians with a true story captured in a raw, authentic and emotive style to ensure a strong connection between audience and film subjects.
Captain Paul Moulds.
The documentary The OASIS (2008) is about a homeless youth refuge in Sydney and follows around Captain Paul Moulds and his work at the OASIS. During the film they follow many young adults supported by the OASIS. This includes: Darren, a battling drug addict who was abandoned by his mother at age eight and abused by his foster family; Haley, a heavy drug addict who has failed to turn up to detox meetings several times and is mostly assisted by Paul Moulds’ wife Robbin; Chris, a troubled young adult who has a tragic ending and, Beau, a fairly unstable teen with several mental issues. It also follows Paul, his dedication to helping young people and his journey to find his birth parents after being left at a Salvation Army centre when he was just a baby.
The OASIS’ informal interview style is helps the film maintain a realistic and natural documentary that gives the film credibility and reinforces realism in the documentary. Therefore, connecting with the audience and allowing for a more authentic delivery of the story and what they’re going through. During the documentary, the film crew interview many people like when talking to people like Hayley the film crew just take her outside and let her sit on a wall or stand on a footpath as they get her to tell her story. However, they only once purposely set up an interview area and lighting for a semi-formal interview. This occurs when Darren is inside an abandoned building to take shelter for the night and he is purposely positioned centre frame with a directional light to his right casting a shadow on his left side. This lighting technique creates contrast of a figurative dark side of him (his past and life experiences) and his light side (getting help, quitting drugs, getting off the streets) coming out of the light and making the changes required. Throughout the documentary they use mainly natural lighting from the sun, room and street lights, moon/stars to light their subjects. By making that lighting choice they make the documentary feel and look observational, as the camera doesn’t obtrude only observes the events unfolding. This unobtrusive element is also seen in the lack of re-enactments which occur in the film.
Darren during his interview with directional lighting showing dark and light contrast.
The choice of not using re-enactments in the documentary The OASIS reinforces the observational style. It’s easy to manipulate and dramatize a re-enactment in a documentary, so, by not including any in the film they make it easier to follow the storyline and make the film honest and not a manipulated occurrence of the events that unfold during the documentary. Instead of re-enactments the film makers have chosen to use a variety of handheld, observational style camerawork to film the subjects.
Calling his mother and confessing his drug addiction – Observational footage.
Within the film many elements are used to create a realistic representation of the events that unfold in the documentary.
The way these documentaries are filmed play a major part in how the audience’s responds to it. The OASIS documentary is filmed typically with handheld observational camerawork. This is important as it gives an authentic personal feel to the documentary and helps put us into the action, bringing us closer to empathize with the subjects. There is also some use of archival footage and minimal use of graphics. Archival footage is seen when Darren goes back to his mum’s house. His mother is filmed showing the film crew pictures of Darren during his childhood. The pictures are then displayed on screen in a presentation style as Darren’s mother talks about funny stories of him. By having the archival footage they give insight into how innocent and lovely some of these teens lives were and that anyone could be in the position they are in now after making a few bad choices. The graphics in The OASIS also play a big part in introducing new characters and building relationships between them. If a different person is presented in the documentary then their name appears in unobtrusive white writing. This assists the audience with keeping track of each of the young people that the documentary is focusing on and helps establish the timeline and documentary’s ‘flow’. Nevertheless, footage isn’t the only way that the film crew use to give the documentary an authentic feel. The OASIS also uses music, whether diegetic or
non-diegetic.
Example of the simple graphics at the start of film.
Diegetic music is sound that is seen on screen or in reality. Diegetic sounds within the film include street noise, dialogue and conversations. Non- Diegetic sound are those that an editor has added in after filming like background music, expressive sound effects and voice-overs. The OASIS uses mainly diegetic sounds within the documentary to create a natural feeling throughout the documentary and hook the audience into the storyline of the film. Though, the documentary does contain some non-diegetic sounds like background music to compliment the mood of a scene. Despite, the music being very subtle and mostly goes unnoticed. This is heard during Chris’ funeral as they placed soft, sombre music to emphasise the sadness that all the people at the OASIS and his friends are feeling due to his sudden death. By doing this they connect with the emotions of the audience and make them morn for Chris’ sudden death. The non-diegetic music that they use also draws the audience in and makes the viewers feel a part of the action and events that unfold, giving the documentary a natural, authentic feel. Editing and sequencing within the documentary is also important when it comes to giving the film a natural and authentic feel.
Coverage of Chris’ funeral matched with emotive non-diegetic music.
Editing and sequencing in The OASIS is somewhat invisible and hard to notice unless you’re looking for it. This is done by not using fancy transitions and fades, but instead using short cuts to connect long continuous shots and scenes. An example for this is when the camera crew is following the young adults they only use cuts to pass time or change shot types. The sequencing of The OASIS is subtle as well. The film is in a liner structure however when watching the film you cannot tell that it goes over two full years. The combination of important plot points makes it feel like it was filmed in a shorter timeline then it actually was. By doing this they can get rid of the ‘boring’ bit or days when nothing entertaining happened. However, by keeping it liner they still give it a credible and realistic feeling, allowing the audience to see how a subject’s life has progressed and the impact Paul’s support has had over a set period of time.
In conclusion, the documentary The OASIS is a great example of a powerful film which has informed an audience about a particular group of people, a place and important issue in society. It has used a range of codes and conventions to ensure a particular style is conveyed along with a particular message and mood. The documentary engages the target audience of other young Australians with a true story captured in a raw, authentic and emotive style to ensure a strong connection between audience and film subjects.