WHAT TECHNIQUES DOES THE TEXT USE TO ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE?

To start with the types media language used within the extract includes the Mis-en-scenes. Formal dressed code is used in this extract which connotes that they are in the upper strata of soceity and are materlistic. An example of this is 1.26 minutes in to the documentary the colour of the dress codes involves black suits which connotes dominance, elegant look and suggests they are living in a patriarchal society. Contrasted by the white shirts which this connotes a sense of peace and freshness which could be argued as black vs. white the theory of Levi-Strauss Binary opposition). This type of clothes engage the audience’s attention as they can identify (Blumler and Katz-theory of Uses and Gratification) with the upper strata people (socio-economic of A).

Secondly, the documentary starts off with the use of mid-shot technique to engage the audience. An example of this is 0.16 seconds into the documentary of the globe. The audiences can see the globe through slowly moving towards the high key-lighting. The use of iconic image of the globe slowly spinning could connote globalisation and how everyone can access the same information within seconds also it could connote that the world is changing. This links with McLyuhan as he argues that the world is becoming smaller and the news is spread more easily due to the new media e.g. technology development and social network sites. The mid-shot is slowly cut and changed into a long shot of the world lighted up in certain parts this could connote that social networks are becoming more used up and electricity is used a lot. This could link with the voice of god voiceover as the shot cuts to a establishing shot of the globe, the voiceover anchors the meaning of the iconic picture of the globe as it engages the audience’s attention by saying in a male dominating way that: "Right now there is more people on Facebook then there were on the planet 200years ago." This engages the audience’s attention as they can identify the specific social network that is being spoken about (Uses and Gratification-Blumler and Katz). What the globe may also connote is that as technology has developed it is much easier to see people around the world making it easier to spread the news.

Another technique the documentary uses to engage the audience’s attention is non-digetic music. An example of this is at 0.38-0.43 seconds into the documentary with the voice of god voice-over saying: “Humanities greatest desire is to belong and connect, and now we see each other, we hear each other, we share what we love and remind us of what we have in common." The slow, loud single beats of the piano anchor the meaning of the text and connotes hegemonic values of society being controlled by men and being patriarchal. This is because the voiceover is talking about how people can connect, share, see and hear each other. This is all because of technology developing, the use of YouTube video's, iPhone and emailing short clips in this documentary connote that it is easier to connect and broadcast news. Therefore, this links with McLuyhan's theory of how it is easier to spread information due to the world becoming smaller. The voiceover anchors them meaning of the short clips and engages the audience’s attention this s becaue it (Uses and Gratification-Blumler and Katz) informs how people are connecting, educates of what is happening around the globe and entertains with the short clip of the child on YouTube shouting 'If you believe in yourself...' Also, the serious and sombre voice-over builds a relationship with the audiences as the narrator Jason is showing us how his child was born and how he raised him this connotes that he has trust on the audiences therefore they too should, which reinforces the audiences to watch the documentary from being a expository to reflexive.

Moreover, there is a variety of colours used within the three minutes of the documentary. An example of this is at the start. The use of black connotes dominating and power this could engage the audience’s attention as it foreshadows that the documentary will include some hard news. Another example of a colour used is white in every short shot starting from 0.38 seconds to 0.46. The use of white in every shot connotes happy, innocence and how these people are living a peaceful life. This engages the audience’s attention as the two different colours create (Barthes enigma) for the audiences. This is because it will make them ask question for why this documentary has hard news but then shows happy people (good vs. evil Binary opposition -Levi-Strauss).

In addition there is a variety of cuts and zooms used which engage the audience’s attention. An example of cuts is from the start of the documentary there are slow cuts used with non-digetic sound of the piano. This creates enigma (Barthes theory and holds the audience’s attention so that they can continue to watch the documentary. An example of zoom is 0.49 seconds in to the documentary the use of slow zoom towards the mouse clicking on YouTube (informs, entertains and enables the audiences to identify Blumler and Katz uses and gratification), engages the audience’s attention as it connotes that the audiences are being taken on a journey which enables the audiences to continue and watch the documentary in order to find out more. Also, there is a variety of camera movements used within the opening of the documentary (3minutes), this includes follow camera movement, this is when Jason's wife 2.07 minutes into the ad is giving birth the use of the camera following the doctors connotes as if we are giving birth. Another camera movement used is slow tilt, this is 2.48 minutes into the documentary as Jason’s child is jumping on the trampoline, this engages audience’s attention as they can self-identify with their own children and how the relationship with their child was. Another example of edit used is fading out, an example of this is different clips in YouTube, and this follows like a narrative structure. This is 0.53 seconds into the documentary, the different YouTube clips follow like a narrative (Todorov narrative structure) which engages the audience’s attention as they will continue to watch the documentary in order to find out more.

Finally, the text uses countdown clock to engage the audience’s attention. The fast countdown connotes a sense of urgency and builds up tension therefore it creates more enigmas (Barthes). An example of this is: 1.32 minutes into the documentary the black background along with white quantitave time reinforces the audiences to keep on watching. Alongside this, this links with Zeitgeist (spirit of the age) as....Furthermore, the use of variety of media platforms techniques have been used in order to engage the audience’s attention. An example of this is the social network Tweeter and the most common broadcasting channel YouTube. Audience’s attention is engaged as they can identify (Blumler and Katz- Uses and gratification) with these networks therefore they continue to watch the documentary in order to see how these social networks have been useful in this specific documentary.