“ A film of epic portions”

Super Size Me

Super size me is an expository documentary about the international dominated fast food company McDonalds. The director, producer and writer, Morgan Spurlock features in the documentary himself, where he documents his 30 day fast food diet. He ate three supersized meals from McDonalds, three times a day to show the effect it can have on your health and body. He had three different medical experts advising him through out but chose to ignore majority of there advice. One being a general practitioner and the others being a cardiologist and a gastroenterologist. But in addition to this he also had advice from a nutritionist and a personal trainer.

Outline of the documentary

Production detailsAs mentioned previously, Super Size Me was written, directed and produced by the man himself, Morgan Spurlock. But was edited by Julie “bob” Lombardi and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions. As this was an independent production, Spurlock only had a small budget of just $65,000. Some could say that Super Size Me would have not been successful because of the budget, but when the documentary was released on 7th May 2004, it made a fantastic $29,529,368 in the box office.

Type of documentary an its features

Super Size me is an expository documentary; meaning that it has been produced to portray a particular message by exposing a particular subject. Throughout Super Size Me there was a wide range of conventional features for the audience including expert interviews, interviews and has reconstructed elements to it. Spurlock has also used the ‘voice of god’.

As Super size me is an expository documentary a specific message would be portrayed. Morgan Spurlock created Super Size Me to show the audience that eating fast food is not good for your body or health. Spurlock was successful as this by documenting his thirty day fast food diet, as well as showing obesity is a problem in America. By Spurlock doing this, it shows the audience the effect it would have on you. The effect is had on Spurlock was that , gained 24½ lbs, a 13% body mass increase, a cholesterol level of 230, and experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction and fat accumulation in his liver. Furthermore it took him 14 months to lose the weight that he had gained over the thirty days.

The message and purpose of the documentary

NarrationMorgan Spurlock have used ‘the voice of god’ throughout his documentary. However, Spurlock does feature in the documentary himself, placing him in power throughout. By Spurlock doing this he shows the audience his use of cinema verite and would leave the audience with a sense of realism.

Script/Structure

Stereotyping/Simplification

ReconstructionsMorgan Spurlock has used reconstructions

Interviews

Impact/Influence

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media contexts and critical debates

Uses terminology appropriately and with accurate and coherent written expression.

Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analysing media products.

Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when evaluating their own practical work.

Demonstrate the ability to plan media products using appropriate technical and creative skills.

Demonstrate the ability to construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills.

AO4 Demonstrate the ability to undertake and apply appropriate

research.

AO1

AO2

AO3

These are the assessment criteria you need to keep in mind.