Supersize Me Documentary Analysis

In order to begin the sequence, graphics have been used to portray a quote that sets out the main theme of the documentary. The quote is also subtly hinted at throughout the documentary by often referring to McDonalds business.

Archive footage is used to illustrate the speakers words, as he is talking about his past and family. Graphics are used to create the effect that the images were real and falling on the table, which creates the vibe that the archive footage is real.

A double shot is then used to portray two women eating in a McDonalds restaurant. This may be to emphasise the theme of McDonalds and fast food.

A sequence of montage then begins, showing a plethora of different shots of over weight Americans. This is to portray what the speaker in the background is describing about the American health.

Graphics are used to further portray what the speaker is saying, when he is describing a law case about two young girls. The graphics show the growth in height and weight of the two young girls in a comical caricature way, which could be to make the situation seem less serious than it was.

Graphics are also used to show the same law case by highlighting the words that the speaker was saying. This created the effect that the viewer could have been highlighting the paper themselves, hence making the documentary feel almost interactive.

A medium close up is used to introduce the main subject of the documentary. He talks directly to the camera, which creates a direct way to talk to the audience.

Graphics are again used to show and anchor the title of the documentary, using a bold typography and the colours of red and yellow which link to the colours of McDonalds. A black background may have been used to set the title differently to the background.

Editing is used to show a collection of three clips swipe next to each other. This is to show the link between the three doctors working with the documentary, as they all have equal importance within the process.

This edit is followed by a cut the show a close up of one of the doctors. The doctor’s name and occupation is shown through the typography graphics and further anchored by the mise-en-scene being in a doctors office and wearing a uniform.

An extreme close up is used during the montage of health check up shots, this may be to emphasise how important the subjects health was as part of the process by not just showing one shot.

A birdseye shot is used to show healthy vegan food the subject eats before his ‘30 day binge’. This could be used to show his point of view as he is looking down at the food on the table.

An establishing shot is used to show the setting of a McDonald’s restaurant the subject is about to go to. This anchors the theme of fast food again and follows the narrative of a thirty day McDonalds Binge.

A cut is then used to show the subject ordering his first McDonalds meal, using a close up with an upward angle.

Later in the sequence, a two shot is used again to show the subject talking to a lawyer, whilst eating a McDonalds. This is to show both people talking to each other at the same time.

An array of vox pops are used to show the subject asking people questions surrounding McDonalds and the fast food it sells. This give the audience many viewpoints of normal relatable people.