Frankenstein: The Modern MythBY MICHAEL BISHOP

Type of documentary

The documentary is a mixed documentary as it has a variety of clips that are archived footage, there is observations that are introduced by a narration. Added to that, there are interviews with people that are relevant to the themes of the documentary.

The themes for this documentary are horror because it is associated with a novel written in the horror genre, but there are other themes such as the creation of Frankenstein and the life and work of Mary Shelley.

It is a non-linear documentary, the reason being it doesn’t really follow an order in time, but it is a closed documentary as everything is revealed with nothing left to question. It is also single stranded because it is focused only on one theme.

Camera

There are various camera shots used in the documentary, particularly with track shots and establishing shots during archived footage.

The shots are used to illustrate the exposition of the narration, with the style of interviews being conventional. This is because the rule of thirds is used and the person being interviewed uses direct mode of address to the camera.

Narration and Sound

The narration of the documentary uses a male narrator with no recognisable accent and isn’t seen in the documentary, which means that this is a ‘voice of God’ narration.

The narration is used to introduce the documentary, as well as back up the exposition.

There is diegetic sound that involve a variety of heartbeat sounds, which is linked to the teme of the documentary.

Graphics and Editing

The opening title of the documentary uses iconography with lightning bolts which is another example of theme-related parts to the documentary.

Black and white colours are used, as well as having background for interviews that are linked to the themes.

Cutaways are added to have observations over the interviews.

Titles are given to people involved in the documentary along with their relevance.

Mise en scene

Real locations are used along with real people who are relevant to the topic.

Costumes are used by actors in the play for Frankenstein.

Archived footage

Frankenstein playVarious film adaptationsDramas