DOCUMENTARY ANALYSIS: ‘OJ: TRIAL OF THE

CENTURY’By Niamh Doherty

Type of Documentary It is a historical documentary because the

documentary is set between 1994-1996 and the documentary has been made in 2016 and therefore contains historical facts and evidence.

It is also a expository mode documentary (voice of god) because there is a narrator in which explains what is going on throughout which is used so that the audience understands what is happening.

Themes Crime; because the documentary is about OJ Simpson murdering 2

people. Murder; again because OJ is a suspect in the murder of 2 people. Justice; because he pleads not guilty although there is evidence that

proves otherwise. Law; because the case it taken to court. Racism; because OJ Simpson is black and people think that racism

is being shown and initially show previous footage of a black man being pulled over for speeding being beaten to death by police officers.

Love; this is also a theme because although OJ is being blamed for killing his wife he continuously shows his love for her, which is shown though photos and phone calls.

Football is also a theme because that is what OJ Simpson is most famous for and initially show clips of him playing before the murder.

Domestic violence; there was evidence to show that OJ Simpson has abused his wife in the past which has been shown in the documentary through phone calls to the police.

Narrative Structure Linear Closed because the trial is now over and

OJ Simpson is not guilty of the crime.

Camera Work Tracking shot of OJ Simpson coming out of his

car when he arrives home days after his wife has died, in which is used so that the audience are able to see him clearly and see his reaction.

Close up of Ron Goldman's family holding hands outside of their home in which reveals that they are grieving and love their son.

Mid shots of a variety of news reporters talking on the news about the trail.

Zoom of helicopter outside the building where first press briefing is which is used so reveal the amount of media coverage the trial is getting.

Crane shot of where the trial is taking place to give the audience verification that the trail is taking place at a court.

High angle and also a wipe of the city so illustrate to the audience where the crime and trial has took place.

Zoom in of a letter that Rob Kardashian (OJ’s friend) has that OJ has written about the situation, and so this tells the audience that it is valid and truthful because it is coming from OJ Simpson himself.

Long shot and Crane view of the truck that OJ is in when he is trying to get away which is used so that the audience have a clear view of which vehicle he is in.

Mid shot of OJ Simpson sitting in court.

Mise-En-Scene Some members of the press are holding video cameras to

record the events happening on the news and for newspapers. Police cars driven by police which reinforces the seriousness

of the trial. OJ’s attorney is wearing suits throughout the documentary

which he has chosen to wear to show that he is professional. Citizens that feature in the documentary are wearing casual

attire. During a flashback of when OJ was playing football in the past

it shows him smiling, which portrays that at that point of his life (before murder) he was truly happy.

In the documentary during the trial OJ Simpson is wearing a suit, whereas other than at the trial he is wearing casual clothing which connotes that he is taking the trial seriously.

Sound Non diegetic sound of heart beating when OJ’s attorney gives his

alibi, which is used so that it gives a dramatic emphasis on when he is saying.

There is Nicholes voice calling the police when OJ is trying to get into the room she is in and she comes across scared and vulnerable which reveals that here home life is not good.

Diegetic sound of police sirens going off which, again, reinforces the seriousness of the situation.

Diegetic sound of people of the streets chanting OJ’s name while he drives past in the truck which reveals that he has a lot of support off of the public.

Diegitic sound of helicopter when following the truck while it is trying to get away.

Non diegetic sound of narrative voice explaining what is going on in each scene to make sure that the audience understands.

Non diegetic sound of airy music when the reporter states that OJ is a suspect in the murder investigation in which implies that the case is more that what it seems.

Editing Collage of pictures from the crime scene where it shows a

variety of evidence such as blood and a glove. This has been shown so that the audience have a rough idea about what has happened.

Flashback from when OJ Simpson was playing football year before the murder and was known as a hero. This has been used so that the audience can compare what OJ used to be like to what he is now in the documentary.

Long shot of OJ try on the gloves from the crime scene in the court room in which is used so that the audience can see if the gloves will fit or not and show if he really is guilty.

Match on action of the truck that is being driven with OJ inside it.

Archive Material Tape recordings from Nichole when she calls the police

as OJ is being violent and attempting to get in the room she is in, in which this reveals that OJ is a violent man.

Pictures that have been taken from the crime scene. News reports are shown throughout the documentary

so that it shows that the information given is valid. Footage from OJ Simpsons old football games to show

what he was like before the murder. TV advertisement of a Car which features OJ Simpson. Pictures of Nichole and OJ to show the audience that

they were a couple.

Graphics Dates and times come across the screen to

inform the audience of when everything happened.

Subtitles of Nichole calling the police which is used so that if the audience does not understand what she is saying, they are able to read it.

Peoples names and job title come across the screen when they appear in the documentary which is used so that the audience knows a rough idea of who they are and how the relate to the trial.