You Gave Me Hyacinths
...s St Johns hostile the camera looks down on her. This makes her look small and defenceless. When Beth is with the Chaplin the camera looks up to her, showing a sense of safety. When the evidence is shown, panning is often used. Different elements of shot sizes and camera angles are used to enhance Beth’s story. Lighting, music and special effects are also used to enhance the documentary. When Beth is talking it is daylight. This gives the impression of a good thing, her story is finally being told and justice has been served. The photos from the past are black and white; this symbolises how long ago it happened. When these photos are shown organ music is played, which we associate with a church. The C.D Donald played to Beth, I am made for love, is also played during the documentary and when the re-enactment of Beth finding out Donald’s wife was pregnant music from a child’s music box is played. The special effects used in this documentary include a lighted candle, symbolising truth and holiness, a candle glowing in front of the stain glass window in the church and voice overs. Because Donald Shearman cannot be interviewed special effects are used to show his point of view. To do this they show a photo and a letter at the same time as a voice over is used. To show Donald’s church role a religious medallion swings in front of a letter with a voice over. To create atmosphere a nice warm open fire is shown in St Johns hostile. This gives the feeling of warmth and security and is used in contrast to Beth’s ordeals. All of these techniques help in getting another dimension to Beth’s story. Techniques are also used to influence the audience’s opinion and to create a sense of realism. There is a re-enactment of Donald reading and writing a letter. This is a filming technique to help create his point of view. Because this is a true story many techniques to create a sense of realism are used. There is quite a lot of evidence shown. This includes letters, cards, presents, photos and archival footage. Many re-enactments are also used; they show the locations of where things happened, play the music Donald played to Beth as well as scenes from the tribunal. All of this proof encourages the audience to Beth’s point of view. The Gathering Storm is a very personal true story which uses voiceovers, re-enactments and contains many interviews. It is an autobiographical documentary. There are many different interviews throughout the documentary....