Documentary AnalysisDocumentary Analysis

‘The Devil Made Me Do It’

Type Of DocumentaryType Of Documentary

It is a mixed documentary containing a voice over (narrator), archived footage and

interviews.

ThemesThemes

The themes of the documentary include:• Death & Murder• Religion• Criminal Investigation• Influences of music (Marilyn Manson)• Youth Culture• Mental Illness

Narrative StructureNarrative Structure

• ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ is a single stranded documentary as it only carries one storyline.

• It is open narrative structure as the audience are likely so still be wondering about unanswered questions.

• It has a non-linear storyline as the order of narration isn't told in complete order.

Camera WorkCamera Work

• A hand held camera is used for actual footage to highlight the manic/ chaos happening around the situation.

• An establishing shot of the street is where the murder happened is used to show the setting of the crime.

……Camera WorkCamera Work• High angle shots of the

dark deserted streets could represent danger.

• A tracking shot of actual footage makes the audience feel as though they are part of the action, getting an in-depth insight.

• A binary opposition of Manson and God stress the good versus evil.

……Camera WorkCamera Work• The framing of the

interviews are made up of mostly close ups and medium close ups.

• Interviews are conventionally positioned on either the left or right side of the shot.

• The audience is positioned as so they feel they are actually watching what has happened.

Mise-en-sceneMise-en-scene

• The shots of Italy establish the towns and cities. The contrast between the quiet Italy and the contrasting hectic fans showing Manson’s power.

• The bright lighting shows the positive view of Christianity representing it as good.

……Mise-en-sceneMise-en-scene

• The background of interviews provides the audience with insight into their role, anchoring the meaning of the interview.

• Marilyn Manson wears dark clothing and makeup reflecting his evil persona.

SoundSound• Special effects are used to reinforce the impact

of the action and therefore emphasise the emotions and atmosphere.

• Soft music provides the contrast of Marilyn Manson’s music.

• The narrators voice is a standard male English accent that was also used to translate and to relate and reflect the age and gender of the audience.

• A voice over occurs over archived footage to provide an extra explanation.

EditingEditing

• Slow motion is used when the footage of the coffin was being carried emphasises the sadness and tension.

• Cuts between the Italian streets and the concerts could show the good versus evil. Quick cuts during reconstruction highlight emotions of the events taking place.

• Montage editing of a series of shots shows the continuity of the actions.

Archived MaterialArchived Material

• Marilyn Manson’s music videos

• Concert footage• Newspaper cuttings• American news

shows• The girls confessions

(audio)

GraphicsGraphics

• The white standard font, possibly used to stand out, told the audience who was speaking and their relation to the topic and events.

• Dates and places• Graphics where used

to provide translations.