This documentary focused on modern relationships and explored themes of love, sex, and the differences between being single and in a relationship. Cherry Healey guided both single and coupled individuals through discussions of their experiences and perspectives. Through a variety of camera shots and editing techniques, the documentary followed a narrative structure - beginning with Healey's life as a married woman, then introducing singles looking to change their relationship status, and ending by reaffirming that one can find freedom within a relationship.
2. Type of documentary
This documentary focused on modern day relationships. It was a mixed
documentary, and used things such as achieve material, for example footage
from night clubs. There was also a narrative structure as there was a
beginning, middle and end. A variety of camera work used and editing to add
variety and depth to the documentary.
3. Themes
There are many themes shown throughout the documentary. Love
relationships and sex. There are many different people introduced throughout
the documentary. Each person is different and there is a mix of single and
settled (in a relationship) people. Each of them were willing to share there
relationship status with Healey and tell her about how they feel about
relationships.
4. Narrative structure
The documentary opens with a montage, there are various shots of Healey’s life
since she has been married and settled. There audience is taken on a journey
into other peoples lives and relationships, and love life. She takes the single
people out to find out about what they think is good about being single, and
tries to find ways of getting them into relationships. However towards the
middle of the documentary the couples realise that their relationships have
grown stronger and many of the single people are wanting to become settled. At
the end of the documentary, Healey finds that being in a relationship is great,
but “you can still be free and sexy at the same time”.
5. Camerawork
The documentary uses a wide range of camera shot. For example there is a
medium shot of Healey walking down the street and one of the interviewee's is
talking about how they are going to change there relationship status, making
the audience feel interested and it makes it more appealing to watch. Another
shot was a low shot, which panned down the street with Healey, to make the
audience focus on her. There is a close up shot of a glass of wine, this shows
that the target audience is aimed at young women, and gives the documentary
variety. There is also a long shot of the London eye, and Big Ben in the
background showing the location of where the documentary is set. Also to show
the change of scene, there is a long shot of the moon, to imply the on going talk
of romance through out the documentary. There are also long shots, and close
ups used when Healey is trying to set up one of her clients up with an
interesting girl, show there are many shots of them in a house party, suggesting
that young people are still adventurous and wild.
6. Mise-en-scene
There are many different locations throughout the documentary and different
types of lighting used to make the documentary look interesting. For
example, Healey is walking down past the River Tems, and in the distance we
can see the London bridge, in the background which sets the location. The
weather is very bright making it seem more interesting and enjoyable to watch.
Another example of the mise-en-scene would be when Healey takes one of her
clients to a night club, to show them what life would be like as a young single
person again, there are many shots of people dancing and drinking, and there is
a lot of strobe lighting and coloured lighting, which adds a wild and interesting
feel to the documentary.
7. Sound
There is a voice over that is used throughout the documentary and it is
Healey explaining everything that is happening in the documentary, however
she also leaves us with questions, leaving the audience wondering what will
happen next, making it more resistible to watch. There is also a lot of non-
diegetic sound used, for example there is music played in a club, and it
continues to play as the voiceover comes in, to keep the exciting vibe in the
documentary. Another example is when there was a young couple being
introduced, at this point the music changed to a James Bond theme, to thrill
and excite the audience. There is also ambient-sound used, this is used when
Healey and a client are walking down the street, as the sound of traffic and
people can be heard in the background.
8. Editing
There is a wide range of editing used throughout the documentary. For
example, There are many interviews that are placed in Healey’s fancy white
kitchen, and there is match-on-action used as the camera will focus on
Healey and then on those who are being interviewed by her. The interviews
are very relaxed and very informal, making it seem very calm. Another
interview takes place with a couple, Bianca and Matt, who have an unusual
sex life, however the interview is relaxed, juxtaposing the situation. There is
a zoom in close-up on some very posh and sexy underwear in a
shop, addressing the women in the audience.
9. Graphics
The graphics used in the documentary where used to note on different
statistics about single life and love life. It would pop up in the middle of the
screen and would be in big, bold white writing, and every time it was the
same font, colour and size.