Research

Here is my research blog to prepare for this project.

5 Documentary Researches⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

1. Worst Roommate Ever

Documentary Opening 1: Worst Roommate Ever
Before You Watch
Look only at the thumbnail and title. What are your expectations for the documentary? What are the connotations of the image, font, colour, or title? What do you expect to see or hear in the opening?	I expect the documentary to feel unsettling and uncomfortable, exploring topics such as the roommate’s bad habits, unsettling demeanor, and possible tension or bad blood between the two roommates. Her pale face gives her an uncanny, unhealthy appearance. Her flat expression suggests she may not be very friendly, possibly quiet and introverted in a disturbing way. Her greasy hair implies poor hygiene, as if she hasn’t showered in a while. I anticipate eerie background music, followed by conversations in a serious, tense tone. I also expect to see a messy, dirty room, potentially filled with strange or unusual objects.
After You Watch
Who is the target audience? Why do you think so? Give one example of each and explain the meaning: Camera: Mise-en-scène: Editing: Sound:	I think the target audience for this documentary is adults, especially women, particularly those living with roommates or single parents. The aim seems to be raising awareness for anyone sharing a living space, reminding them to stay cautious even with someone they’ve known and trusted for a long time. This correlates a lot with our project centering around the topic of “stalking”.  Camera Close-up shots: Draw attention and give the audience hints about who the culprit might be. They also reveal important details that are harder to notice from a distance, such as the girl’s wounds and her disheveled eyelashes. Mise-en-scène Gloomy weather and muted colors: Create an unsettling atmosphere and make the setting feel lonely. They suggest that whatever happened in the house was likely traumatic for the girl, evoking unpleasant memories and adding a chilly, uncomfortable mood. Editing Quick cuts: Make the scenes feel rushed and nerve-racking, almost causing the audience to share in the panicked feeling of the moment. Sound Loud booms: Startle the audience and catch them off guard. They clearly convey the fear and tension of the situation.
Would you continue watching? Why/Why not?	Yes, because the opening raised a lot of questions and curiosity. What did the roommate actually do? How did the woman get hospitalized? What happened to her son/daughter? I want to find out what happened to the roommate also.

2. What Jennifer Did

Documentary Opening 2: What Jennifer Did
Before You Watch
Look only at the thumbnail and title. What are your expectations for the documentary? What are the connotations of the image, font, colour, or title? What do you expect to see or hear in the opening?	Like the other documentary, I expect this one to be dark, unsettling, and creepy. I anticipate a change in behavior or personality, as the cover shows two pictures of the same person with very different expressions, one happy, one unsettling. To enhance the creepy tone, the serious picture is tinted red, a color often associated with blood or danger. The happy picture gives off positive vibes, suggesting she is a fun and cheerful person. The image is bright and well lit, reinforcing this impression. In contrast, the creepy picture gives off eerie, uncomfortable vibes. The red tint heightens the sense of fear, symbolizing blood or something even scarier. Overall, the title hints at something terrible Jennifer may have done, possibly even murder.
After You Watch
Who is the target audience? Why do you think so? Give one example of each and explain the meaning: Camera: Mise-en-scène: Editing: Sound:	I think the target audience for this documentary is teenagers and young adults, as Jennifer herself appears to be a young adult. The fact that she was still living with her parents suggests she wasn’t living independently and was financially supported by them. The documentary seems aimed at young people like us, because we can learn from what she did and use it as a bad example.  Camera Close-up shots: Highlight important details, such as Jennifer’s picture frame and the recording device in the interrogation room. These shots draw attention and make the audience focus on key information or clues. Mise-en-scène Monochrome/gray colors: The CCTV footage appears almost monochrome, giving the impression of lifelessness. This creates a lonely, empty atmosphere with no energy or joy, perfectly reflecting the dreadful scenario. Editing Camera glitches: At the beginning of the documentary, the camera glitches a few times before finally revealing Jennifer. This adds an unsettling tone, making it feel as if the audience is watching a cursed or corrupted recording. Sound Static noises: These follow the camera glitches at the start of the documentary. The static becomes loud and unpleasant, enhancing the discomfort and unease of the moment.
Would you continue watching? Why/Why not?	Yes, because we never got to know what actually happened to her parents. I also suspect that she is behind all of this. However, what could’ve driven her to kill her parents if she really did? There is so much to discover.

3. A Deadly American Marriage

Documentary Opening 3: A Deadly American Marriage
Before You Watch
Look only at the thumbnail and title. What are your expectations for the documentary? What are the connotations of the image, font, colour, or title? What do you expect to see or hear in the opening?	I predict that the husband will die instead of the wife. This is just a guess, based on the fact that the husband looks happier than the wife in the thumbnail. Judging by their facial expressions, the husband seems like the victim. In the thumbnail, he is smiling widely, which gives the impression that he is lively and happy. In contrast, the wife appears more serious, with barely a smile, giving the impression that she might be unhappy. I expect the documentary to feature a 911 call. I also expect to see bloody footage or photographs from the real crime scene.
After You Watch
Who is the target audience? Why do you think so? Give one example of each and explain the meaning: Camera: -en-scène: Editing: Sound:	The target audience for this documentary might be adults, particularly those who are married. This is because it explores serious topics such as domestic violence, relationship problems, and family issues, subjects that married individuals may relate to and understand more deeply. Ideally, the documentary can serve as a reminder that marriages should be healthy and harmonious rather than abusive and unhappy. Camera High angle: Used when showing the CCTV footage of the interview with the grandpa and the wife. This angle shows the whole interview room, so the audience can see both the person’s behavior and the surroundings. It can also make the people in the shot look smaller or weaker, making viewers see them as less powerful. Mise-en-scène Dark lighting: Makes the scene look gloomy and sad, which matches the fact that something terrible happened in the house. This lighting helps the audience feel the seriousness of the event and sets a heavy mood. Editing Glitches: Seen in the CCTV footage, these make the audience feel uneasy, like they are watching a broken or creepy recording. It breaks the smooth flow of the video and makes viewers more on edge. Sound Unsettling music: Creates a cold, tense feeling, especially during scary or intense moments. It makes the audience expect that something bad is about to happen, which increases their fear and nervousness.
Would you continue watching? Why/Why not?	Yes, because I want to find out how the husband actually died. Is it because of the wife? Grandpa? Or something entirely unexpected? And why did the wife have a brick on her nightstand? It didn’t make sense and I would like to watch to find out more.

4. The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman

Documentary Opening 4: The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman
Before You Watch
Look only at the thumbnail and title. What are your expectations for the documentary? What are the connotations of the image, font, colour, or title? What do you expect to see or hear in the opening?	I expect the documentary to involve victims of manipulation. There is an image of a man on an investigation board, which suggests that he has been looked into by the police. The pale blue color and the blurred face of the man make the image feel mysterious. I expect to see interviews with the victims or their families. I also expect to hear intense background music, similar to what is used in other documentaries, to build tension.
After You Watch
Who is the target audience? Why do you think so? Give one example of each and explain the meaning: Camera: Mise-en-scène: Editing: Sound:	The target audience might be adults or older teenagers because the topic of the documentary is more serious. It would interest people who enjoy crime documentaries, especially ones about manipulation. These viewers might like the suspense, the real-life events, and learning how manipulation happens in serious crimes. The documentary could also act as a warning, helping people notice the signs and dangers of being manipulated. Camera Close-up: Makes the scene feel personal and close, as if the audience is talking directly to the daughter and son during the interview. This helps viewers feel more connected to them and understand their emotions better. Mise-en-scène Dark lighting: Creates a sad and heavy mood, matching the fact that the victim is still missing. It makes the audience feel the seriousness of the situation and adds to the feeling of worry or sadness. Editing Jump cuts: Switch between different points of view from people affected by the conman. This shows the audience how the crime has hurt many people, making the story feel bigger and more real. Sound Sad music: Adds an emotional layer to the scene, making the audience feel more sympathy for the son and daughter. It can make viewers feel heavy-hearted and more invested in their story.
Would you continue watching? Why/Why not?	Not really, because it didn’t really interest me. The way the opening was shot (interview scene) seemed too boring to me. I wish they hinted at the conman more, such as showing more photos or clips. I think the interview scene was a bit too long and it took up almost all the duration of the opening.

5. American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing

Documentary Opening 5: American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing
Before You Watch
Look only at the thumbnail and title. What are your expectations for the documentary? What are the connotations of the image, font, colour, or title? What do you expect to see or hear in the opening?	I expect to see scenes of terrorism, explosions, chaos, and large police teams in action. There is a man holding a gun, but his face is not shown. This makes him a mysterious figure, even though it’s clear he is the criminal. Police cars are surrounding him, which suggests the police may have already caught him or are about to. I expect to hear screams and unsettling music, which would make the audience feel tense and on edge. These elements together would create a sense of danger and urgency, pulling the audience into the chaos of the situation.
After You Watch
Who is the target audience? Why do you think so? Give one example of each and explain the meaning: Camera: Mise-en-scène: Editing: Sound:	The target audience might be adults or older teenagers, especially people who like crime documentaries about terrorism. It would interest viewers who enjoy watching real events and seeing how the police handle them. The documentary might also appeal to people who want to know the dangers of terrorism and how it can hurt communities. It could also remind people to stay careful and watch out for anything suspicious.  Camera Overhead shot: Shows the marathon from above and the big crowd of people. This makes the audience see how many people are there and worry that something bad could happen to them. It also makes them wonder what will happen next. Mise-en-scène Cloudy weather: Gives a dark and heavy feeling, as if something bad is about to happen. It makes the audience expect trouble before it starts. Editing Jump cuts: Switch between what the terrorist sees and what the runners see. This makes the audience feel tense because they know the runners are in danger. Sound Tense music: Makes the audience feel nervous. It tells them that something dangerous is about to happen, so they pay more attention.
Would you continue watching? Why/Why not?	Yes, because I want to find out who the terrorists actually are. Are the two related to each other? What made them do this? I think the opening scene of this documentary successfully captures the audiences’ attention using many different techniques without revealing too much, hence still keeping it mysterious.