Inspiration from different documentaries

There are a number of different documentaries that I will be looking at to try to use and expand on other documentary ideas and styles.

Dispatches



Dispatches is a Channel 4 documentary that deals with up to date issues. It is typically expository with voice overs and undercover footage rather than a presenter.
The episode of Dispatches that I have watched is called 'Britain's Secret Slaves' the link for which can be found below:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/4od#3129534

Although I like the expository side of this type of documentary, I want to make a more interesting documentary. I feel that this could be achieved with different camera angles and techniques as well as engaging fill shots that keep the documentary up beat. This would probably appeal more to a younger audience.
Bodyshock



Bodyshock is also a Channel 4 documentary and looks at different bodily deformities.It uses voice overs to document the stories of different people and their journey to correct their deformities. However, the people with the bodily deformities are seen talking to the camera about their experiences rather than the more formal interviews of Dispatches.
The episode of Bodyshock that I have watched is called 'Half Ton Man' the link for which can be found below:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/bodyshock/4od#2923145

I thought Bodyshock was another documentary with an interesting topic, however, I again feel that different editing techniques could make the documentary more upbeat and therefore more appealing to the viewer.

Kevin McCloud: Slumming it



Slumming it is another Channel 4 documentary. It follows Kevin McCloud, the presenter and documentary maker, as he goes to Indian slums and third world countries to see how people live. This is a participatory documentary in which he is the main presenter and is seen getting involved in jobs and projects to improve living conditions as well as interviews in which he is also in the shot listening and responding to the answers given.
The episode of Slumming it that I have watched is the second in the series the link for which can be found below:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/kevin-mccloud-slumming-it/4od#3051418

I like the idea of Slumming it, as I like the participatory role played by Kevin McCloud. I think this makes the documentary more appealing as the feelings expressed by the presenter make the documentary more emotive and therefore more engaging for the viewer. I think this could be a good technique if placed with a more up to date topic from the news.


Louis Theroux: The Most Hated Family in America



The Most Hated Family In America is a BBC documentary in which Louis Theroux lives with a group of born again christians. It is a participatory documentary and sees Theroux on camera as he interviews them and goes about their daily lives with them.

The episode of Louis Theroux's work that I have watched is called The Most Hated Family in America, the link for which can be found below:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7735501683185935638#

Louis Theroux makes an interesting documentary with a very engaging style. He has chosen a topic that is serious however the way in which it is filmed and presented make it slightly humorous and engaging for the viewer. Again his participatory role engages the audience by making the documentary more emotive.