Statement of intent

How do you intend to use the four areas of the media theoretical framework to communicate meaning and meet the requirements of your chosen brief? (approx. 400 words)

Product 1

I intend to use the four areas of media theoretical framework to meet the requirements of the brief and communicate meanings through a documentary based on showjumping athlete named Harry Bateman, a sport that is not typically shown on these media platforms. Stuart Hall's reception theory is useful to use as the preferred reading will be that this sport is something the 16-25 aged audience is interested in learning about. In terms of language, I learned from my generic research documentaries that a wide range of shot types is vital across my 3 minute opening, as well as being across various locations. I intend to eulate what I found from my research, and will use different locations such as the stable yard, arena and surrounding countryside in order to engage the audience, as well as giving the audience a true insight into a horse rider's daily life. From my research, I found that the audience is more likely to involve themselves online or dicuss with others if the documentary is engaging, and so the use of shot types and locations is vital for this. In terms of documentary format, using Ben Nichols' 6 modes, I intend to use a mix of expository and observational documentary types, allowing the audience to feel involved, as well as learn in a way that the camera constructs meaning for them to interpret in the preferred positive meaning. As a public service broadcaster, BBC3 has a remit to 'educate, entertain and inform' their audience and I intend to fulfil this remit through covering a less exposed sport to the audience and teaching them through the observational features of the documentary, as well as informing them of the sport and its successes. These features will be used in both the documentary and online in order to be engaging across all platforms.
The main aim of representation and the preferred viewing is that the audience will enjoy learning about show-jumping as a sport as well as the behind the scenes, hardworking ethic the talent, Harry Bateman possesses. The show will reveal real life issues, such as balancing social life and sport, as well as problems such as injuries that can be sustained along the way.
Product 2
From my research, I found that the BBC does not offer much information or media convergence for their own documentaries, and so this is something I wish to improve on myself. I would like to create a sense of brand identity, through a continual colour palette that I shall use across the two forms and create a house style. The website also offers plenty of opportunites to use intertextuality, to films such as Black Beauty, as well as mentioning autobiographies on Olympic athletes such as Tim Stockdale and 2016 Gold winner Nick Skelton, which this relies on the audiences cultural competency to be aware of. Social media such as Instagram and twitter will be used on the website perhaps as a side bar to allow connection between media formats, this could be such as the talent’s accounts so that they can engage personally with them. The use of this may also encourage publicity if the documentary is tagged or shared between the active audiences, as Stuart Hall identifies that audiences are no longer passive and are now more likely to share within the media their own thoughts and readings. The 16-25 age group are engaged online, and so by engaging the preferred reading this will create positive media presence. The website will also offer a Q&A, as suggested by audience research that this is popular, for the talent to answer, and so allow greater unnderstanding and engagement from the audience for this unique sport and lifestyle.

How do you intend to link your media products to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the digitally convergent nature of your media production? (approx. 100 words)

I intend to link my media products by using links and hashtags throughout both the documentary opening and online website, which allows the audience to actively engage by choice should they feel interested to do so. Clay Shirky's end of audience theory identifies how the active audience wants to interact more, and 'speak back' to the media. By the documentary and online referencing thir online platforms (Instagram, Twitter) and the website's additional content such as behind the scenes footage and daily routines of the talent it allows the audience to be further entertained, and so allowing the remit of the BBC as a public service brodcaster to be fulfilled.