Opdocs

OpDoc and Documentary Filmmaking Assessment:

In looking at all ten of these OpDocs, it is clear that each filmmaker is intent on depicting the people and places featured in a specific way, but each uses different techniques to achieve a similar goal. OpDocs are different than general documentaries because they focus in on getting the audience to feel a specific way about a given issue. Although other forms of documentary filmmaking may also do that, OpDocs seem to zone in on smaller details that tell the story in a short and impactful way. A common theme in all 10 OpDocs is that the filmmakers often switched between written information popping up on the screen and the people featured telling their stories through dialogue. While the short …show more content…
One moment in particular that does so in an interesting way is when the boy looks at his book and shakes it, which causes random school items to fall out. At the same time, the narrator describes how the curriculum taught in schools is compiled of various ideas that have been applied in somewhat of a random way. In shaking the book, this signals to the audience the randomness of information that falls into students’ laps, rather than information geared towards making successful individuals in current day fields and vocations. Another part that stood out was the usage of the rocket shooting out of the building and then falling into a sandbox. While this also provides an action to match the narration, it also works to symbolize success in a way that many people recognize. Specifically, space exploration and technological advancements such as the rocket are things that the majority of people recognize as successes for the human race. The sandbox could also be used to symbolize childhood, starting back at square one, or failure. This usage of imagery is helpful because it is more than just imagery; it is symbolism. This allows for the picture to say more than the narration. Additionally, the end of the video explains how in order to be successful in life one must do two things: one must do well in school to get a good education, while …show more content…
This medium is able to successfully engage its audience throughout the video, which is a strength that is harder to maintain in something such as long-form journalism where the majority of it is written word. Also, a major strength and defining characteristic is that these videos often have visual aids for the topic being discussed. This is helpful because not all people process information through auditory methods; some people need a visual to fully process information. Additionally, a common theme that made this medium unique is that many of the videos included common language so that people from a variety of points in their education could understand. In conjunction with the language, symbolism and images that are commonly accepted as a part of popular culture were used to provide another mode of getting the same idea across as what was being explained verbally. In general, this medium seemed to allow for a greater deal of flexibility in its content than mediums this assignment previously examined. That being said, the fact that it is a video and can include characteristics from other mediums is what allows more flexibility in content. Without advancements in technology, people seeking to learn would have had to rely on books and other written mediums. While written mediums provide a wealth of valuable content,