Expository documentary analysis; The Art of Self Expression: A Cosplay Documentary

This documentary is an expository documentary that looks into the life of a cosplayer, which relates to the topic I want to investigate for my own coursework. It lasts for 9 minutes, which is longer than my documentary however a documentary can last from 2 - 30 minutes and it still sticks to the conventions of a short documentary. 

The narrative follows a non-linear structure,as the footage starts off with footage from comic con, in which switches back to the man being interviewed, and cuts back to the con, and then cuts to the man posing in his cosplay, and so the story structure doesn't follow a particular plot line and is therefore non-linear. Editing techniques have been used in this documentary for effect and to make it more interesting and appealing, including cross cut editing, montage editing, slow and fast motion and fade;

This GIF shows the use of face motion editing. Its when the footage is speed up and is often used to show time passing by, in which works in effect to busy and bustling locations such as comic con.

This clips shows an example of both slow motion editing and fade. The effect of using both creates a dramatic effect which is striking and immediately grabs the audiences attention.

The incidental music (non-diegetic) used in this documentary starts off intense and atmospheric to create a sense of pride and emotion in which is used to introduce the documentary topic. As the title screen appears, the incidental score fades out and is replaced by an upbeat and cheerier tone, which reflects on the cheery and bust comic con atmosphere and is consistent throughout the comic con scenes and during the interviews at comic con. As a new location is then established, the incidental score changes again to a more calming and chilled tone to reflect on the atmosphere created by the interviewee. the music then fades out and is distantly quiet in the background during the interview to focus on what he is discussing in the dialogue. The incidental music changes constantly over the documentary but is overall positive and uplifting to reflect on the topic and how its presented by the cosplayers.

The interviews in this documentary have used the conventional structure and limited the range of camera shots and only used medium closeups in the shots;

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The questions that are asked in the interview include;

- What is cosplay?
- What is a convention?
- Why do you cosplay?
- Whats your cosplay name and your profession? 
- How long have you been cosplaying?
- What do your family/friends think of cosplay?
- What's your favourite part of cosplay?
- What do you think someone who didn't cosplay would make of it?
- What does it represent?
- Do you think you'll ever quit?

The documentary genre can be established as expository as it sticks to a conventional structure expected of a expository documentary. It shows the audience the positive aspects about cosplay through the interviews and montage sequences in use of camera, sound and editing. At the beginning there is a voice over, which is a conventional feature of an expository documentary, and there is also no presenter like there would be in an interactive documentary. During the interview shots the investigator is out of the shot and unknown to the audience, in which only the cosplayer being interviewed can be heard from the clip. It sticks to the conventions of an expository documentary in which;

- The documentary uses a variety of footage and interview material which is assembled to support the topic case.
 - The editing is used for continuity, to link together images that support the argument put forward.
- The documentary uses interview shots from either a mid shot, a medium long shot or medium close up.
-The documentary uses incidental music in effect to the mood created 

Iconography is used frequently to represent the topic. The talking space in the interview locations is taken up by costumes, props (sewing machine) and anime posters all in which are iconic and associated with anime and cosplay culture with relate to the topic under discussion.

This documentary also uses costumes, props and mis en scene to reflect on cosplay culture;

This close up shows the side of a car promoting the cartoon "Adventure Time". The purpose of this shot is that it shows an icon to the sub culture of cosplay, in which shows that it goes further than anime and marvel. Adventure time is an icon of geek culture, in which links into cosplay culture and reflects on the expanding popularity of cosplay.

This medium close up shows another shot from the interview. You can see in the talking space that there is a lot of merchandise and props that come from the video game "Assassins Creed". By putting it in the background of the talking space, it relates to the cosplayers interests and also reflects on his cosplay and tells the audience more into what his cosplay is about. Assassins Creed is an iconic video game, in which gaming is linked heavily into geek culture, and is also becoming a part of the sub genre for cosplay. Its something that reflects upon the expanding cosplay community and shows the audience the vast popularity of both the game and the culture.

This big close up shows us more detail about the props set in the background of the talking space. It further shows the audience the guys obsession with the video game and adds to the point about iconography with sub genre in terms of cosplayers.

This mid shot shows the cosplayer in his assassins creed cosplay. Costumes are an important part to cosplay as it represents the character and their personality in how they express their interest. Some of the interviewees were interviewed in their costume during this documentary which further adds to the importance of costuming and how iconic it it for cosplayers.

The use of costume, props, location and mis en scene should appeal to the target audience. By interviewing the cosplayers in their outfits shows their dedication to the audience in which the audience can determine characters and figures from their favourite  films and shows in which creates more of an interest in the documentary. By filming at a convention location it appeals to the target audiences interests, and shows them the vast contrast of different cosplay styles and possibilities. This then makes the audience feel exclusively part of the documentary as it connects to them on a personal level.

By also using props and mis en scene, the audience can get a better understanding of this culture and where the cosplay inspirations originate from.They can also determine props and merchandise from shows they personally enjoy in which creates a sense of joy and pride in which the audience feel more involved with the documentary.

The documentary has used titles and credits to give the audience more information about the topic;

The main titles seen here don't reflect on the topic, nor do they reflect on the mood created in the documentary. They are plan white block letters on a black background, which is very plain and bland and doesn't represent the different and unique ways of cosplay.

The titles used in this shot are the same font type and use the same theme as the font in the previous shot. Much like the font in the previous shot, it doesn't really reflect on the documentary topic well, nor does it reflect on the bright and uplifting atmosphere created through out the documentary.

The credits used in this documentary stick to the same colour scheme and font as the titles. Unlike previous documentaries analysed, it doesn't use imagery of the cosplayers in their outfits and much like the other titles, they're very plain and don't represent the topic of the documentary very well.