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Quick Background info
Derek Is a British Comedy Mockumentary
It stars, is written and directed by Ricky
Gervais - It was produced by Ricky Gervais's
Production company, Derek Productions Ltd
First Aired on 30th January 2013
Gervais plays a 49 year old socially awkward
care worker, in a home for the elderly. He isextremely vulnerable due to his childlike
nature and is often taken advantage of.
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The very first shot of the first episode:
Establishing shot to set the scene for the entire show. Establishing
shots are extremely common at the beginning of a documentary
so it would only make sense for a mockumentary.
Calm yet happy music portrays innocence. Bright sky shows
positive atmosphere.
Slow calm jump cut transitions throughout.
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Close Ups:
Many close ups of the elderly in the carehome, quickly gives the setting of the
media piece.
Portrays to the audience extremely
quickly the pace of the "Documentary" so
the slow and happy pace won't be a
shock to anybody.
The close ups (the same as the last shot)get the audience to see the characters
and relate to them.
There is a voiceover from Derekthroughout (the audio from the previous
interview) this is very common in
Documentaries so it is also used in
mockumentaries to make it more
believable
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Shakey and jerky camera, shows unexpected shot and having to adjust the camera quickly.
Makes it more believable, could possibly be a real documentary.
allows the audience to see the unpredictability of the situation/character
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Shot of Hannah caring for elderly woman:
Angled down to show not a strong dominant character
shows care and compassion
Reinforces the pace of the piece
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More shaky shots:
During a small
misunderstanding
Camera man not sure who to
have the camera on.
Creates the illusion of reallife when actually fictional
drama.
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Simple Title Sequence, as its supposedly a documentary it should show any crew or cast members, that
should be left to the end.
The simpleness complements the simple mindedness of Derek
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Planned interviews:
Calm steady camera
Warm lighting - Gives an inviting effect that will anchor the "Real life feel" of the mockumentary
Shows face and uniform - Shows that it was a planned interview and the staff are respectable and
trained
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"Planned Shots":
Focused properly
Framed properly
Steady Camera
All of these are supposed to get across that this could be a real
documentary and are trying to make it seem as realistic as possible with
the transitions between "planned" and "unplanned shots"
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Use of zoom on the camera:
Shows being unprepared.
If expected to have close up of frog prop, would have started zoomed in on it.
Unplanned