Stop Frame Animation Attempts

I started filming clips for my music video, below are some. Some are just trial runs of ideas I liked and wanted to try out.The books growing are to portray the person growing, whilst the bigger books are to depict university. The cards coming out of the books are a depiction of his/her children being born and growing. Originally I would of liked to use small books to show this but found it hard to find these. In my actual video I hope to speed up the transitions. 

Planning The Scenes

Below is a rough idea of my scenes for my music video.





The Protagonist

Originally Jack Cowley was going to be my male protagonist, however, I have now decided to scrap this and show all my imagery through the protagonist’s eyes using point of view shots and stop motion. I hope this will add to this more symbolic approach I am hoping for. Here are some point of view shots I really liked.

Production Pitch

This is my latest idea for my production. Some of my ideas have changed significantly since my initial plan. I have decided to show the growth/metamorphosis of a person. It will start with their birth and end with their death; however, I want to show it symbolically so my male protagonist will remain the same age throughout. I have sorted the scene in units according to growth/life events of a generic person. I want it to be open for interpretation, hence why I am taking a symbolic approach. I hope some people can interpret as growth as a person but love the idea of it being left open for analysis. When watching pieces of media and theatre I enjoy being left the ability to construct my own idea of what has happened and viewing this against others opinions. I believe sometimes when productions are simple and easy to understand they can be uninteresting, deliberately making it more symbolic or less clear makes it thought provoking.



Production Pitch

Storyboarding and Scene Breakdowns

In recent lessons I have started to plan the scenes. I have now decided I want to show a life, in order for this to work I have planned each scene in chronological order which is matched to the changes in the music. Below are pictures of my draft storyboards so far:

The scenes:

1. Birth: 0 à 0.28

2. City (discovery of senses): 0.28 à 0.45

3. Discover: 0.45 à 1.01

4. Game/playing 1.01 à 1.08

5. Growing: 1.08 à 1.18 / Learning: 1.18 à 1.35

6. Teen life: 1.35 à 1.52 (music slows down- lost/discovery self)

7. Teen life- enjoyable: 1.52 à 2.08

8. University life: 2.08 à 2.42

9. Slowing down, finding work: 2.42 à 2.59

10. Working: 2.59 à 3.15

11. Love, finding/falling in love: 3.15 à 3.32

12. Marriage: 3.32 à 3.49

13. Children: 3.49 à 4.05

14. Children growing up and leaving: 4.05 à 4.22

15. Dying: 4.22 à 4.57

16. Death: 4.57 à 5.03

I want to take a very symbolic approach to these scenes rather than a realistic view. For example in the first scene, the birth scene, I want my male protagonist to be coming out of water (symbolic of him leaving the womb) cross-cutting with him walking through a tunnel towards light.

Location - Swanage

Last summer I went away with friends to south east Dorset, England. Whilst I was away I filmed random footage of out holiday. Although I have not sorted through the footage I thought this would be ideal for my some of my teen scenes. Below I have attached some pictures of the locations I filmed.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: Same Love feat. Mary Lambert

Another video that deals with homosexuality and religion is Macklemore’s and Ryan Lewis’: Same Love feat. Mary Lambert. The video has a very different approach in the, what once was, controversial issue, and portrays the men’s relationship in a positive way. Of course problems when growing up are picked up on, for example: 1.42, but at the end we are left with a very positive feeling.

The video portrays the circle of life. It begins in a hospital when a baby boy is being born; I believe this is to depict how we are born equally. Footage of children playing follows, very stereotypical views on boys and girls are shown. For example girls’ playing with dolls and boys climbing trees/playing football. There is also a frame at 1.14 were a young boy gives a girl some flowers, depicting this is ‘the norm’.

Fire and religious symbols are also used, similarly to Hozier: ‘Take me to church’. At 2.40 footage of a cross on fire is shown.When they are used in ‘Take me to church’ it is in order to portray hell and how God will not accept the couple for being gay, these views can be linked in 'Same Love'. Like the Hozier’s video, this frame is shot in black and white, again reflecting these views are dated.

Light is another use of symbolism in the video. A bright white light is first shown at 0.01 till 0.08; in this shot the light dims allowing us to see it is a hospital lamp, setting the scene of a hospital. The use of bright light depicts birth; I plan to use light in my video to also portray birth. This shot is again used at 4.47, when the male protagonist is elderly and back in hospital, illustrating the circle of life. Sunlight is similarly used to portray hope and love for example: at 3.38, when the ring is being put on his finger. This initiates the beginning of their life together, likewise to the wedding scene, when rays of sunlight beam into the windows of the building (3.47). This again depicts hope and new beginnings.

The Male Protagonist

I chosen to use Jack Cowley as my male protagonist. His character will grow up throughout the music video but he will remain the same age as I want to show it as a more symbolic metamorphosis.

I have chosen Jack as he is a fan of Bonobo, the artist I have chosen to use, and his appearance is that of a typical Bonobo fan, therefore I hope this will appeal to my target audience.

Jack's experience in acting is primarily through school work we have done, however, I don't think this will be a problem as the shots I will have of him aren't so much acting and more just walking, jumping etc.

To the right is a photo of Jack. He is a seventeen year old male (but I think he looks older) with brown hair and stubble.

Hozier: 'Take Me To Church'

Mr Buckmaster showed me, Hozier: ‘Take Me to Church’, in our lesson last week. The song is an extended metaphor comparing a lover to religion. The music video imagery portrays this perfectly.

In the video we are introduced to two male characters that are in a relationship. It is clear they are wary of the hooded youths around them – watching them. Foreshadowing they will react later on.

The video is shot in black and white throughout. I also want to do this in mine. I think the significance of this is to focus predominately on the context of the video. No attention is drawn away due to the colours. In ‘Take Me to Church’; the context of the homosexual relationship is the significance of the song so this is heightened by the lack of colour. Black and white also portrays old fashioned movies; I think the disregards of homosexuality are depicted in black and white as homophobia is seen as an outdated view.

Symbolism is also used in the video. The box with a chain around it first appears at 0.07, in the flames. This is a depiction/foreshadow of the end of the video. We then see it being closed, locked and buried as the video endures. I have interpreted this as a symbolic physical metaphor of their relationship. They try to hide it from the hooded youths in their town, hence why they bury it. It isn’t till the end of the video, when the youths discover the box that their relationship is exposed. Fire is also used symbolically. The video focusses on religion so the fire can be interpreted is hell. By the youths throwing the box into the fire it is as if they are condemning the relationship to hell.

Overall the video has a very big impact on the viewer; it focuses on a very significant issue in society and makes you think.

Trying Stop-Frame Animation

Here is one attempt of stop-frame animation. It is of my brother taken on a beach up North. 

Vance Joy- "Riptide"

 



I really like the song ‘Riptide’ by Vance Joy, at the moment, so decided to look at his music video (above).

Vance Joy is an Australian singer-songwriter (real name: James Keogh). ‘Riptide’ is from his debut EP ‘God Loves You When You’re Dancing’, and was directed by Dimitri Basil.

The song is driven by an up-beat, ukulele sound which is juxtaposed to the darkening/ deteriorating music video which is somewhat frightening towards the end. The lyrics appear to be some coming of age love story, however, it is hard to tell, other interpretations of the song and video are rape and a breakup.

The lyrics and the video are very open for their own interpretation. When I first heard the song I presumed it was a love story, but after watching the music video and thinking more in depth, I think it depicts the break up between a woman who no longer loves him. Especially on the line "I love you when you're singing that song and I got a lump in my throat cos you’re going to sing the words wrong", it appears although he is telling her he loves her she cannot say it back.

The video takes a very literal approach to portray the lyrics. Lots of clips are combined in order to show each line, for example: on the line “Lady, running down to the riptide” in the chorus, a lady running is shown every time (e.g. 0.40). I have read people comments from the video; some said they hated how literal it was and is was “shallow”, without depth. However, I have to disagree, I think it’s really clever and love the way it so open for interpretation. I hope to create this in my music video.

Music Permission

Now I have decided I definately want to use Bonobo-'Recurring' for my music video, in order to aviod copyright complications, I have emailed the management of Bonobo, asking for permission on 'Recurring', using the email I found on the website: http://bonobomusic.com/

I recieved a response from the manangement and was given an email to contact.  

Please look at my emails below.

Cyriak

I briefly mentioned Bonobo's track 'Cirrus' in a previous post about Genres (See here: http://elliebuncea2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/genres.html).

The music video was created by Cyriak Harris, a very clever British animator. Cyriak often makes very surreal, sometimes disturbing web animations! Check out his YouTube channel to see more of his work: http://www.youtube.com/user/cyriak 

Cyriak used interesting editing to get the disorderly sense in 'Cirrus' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF34N4gJAKE. The music video starts with normal, old fashioned shots and then gets gradually more and more crazy and edited as it continues. It shows clips of shot, in reverse, replayed and merged together. Looking at the comments on the video, many fans suggested it appeared you where on drugs and your brain got more dysfunctional as the music went on. I really loved the video and would love to incorporate his techniques in mine, however, I would like to have my video the opposite way around (starting very dysfunctional then becoming more in-depth) to depict the metamorphosis of a person.

I looked at lots of Cyriak's work, another music video that stood out to me was Eskimo- 'We Got More'. This also has a very psychedelic feel to it. It combines editing and animation to create the overall piece. I especially like the way in which the music fits with the imagery so well. For example at 0.47 the movement of the road when their is a change in movement. I want shots and editing of my video to fit with the music (like in this video).

Brainstorming Ideas

I have now decided that I definitely want to use a Bonobo track for my A2 coursework, however, I am still unset on exactly which song and a concept. 

In my previous media lesson my teacher and I began to brainstorm ideas. I showed Mr Buckmaster the Bonobo track 'Don't Wait' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQfQ8VF1WKM, one of my possibilities. 

We agreed the track had a very urban and disjointed feeling to it. I would like to film in an urban setting, perhaps an abandoned and derelict building. Bringing out the urban feel along with the inhuman/mismatched vibe. 

Mr Buckmaster suggested portraying a journey or metamorphosis of a person. Because I loved the idea of stock frame animation we discussed using this at the start of the video, having very pixelated mismatched imagery with basic shots and then as the video continues and the person finds themselves and evolves the imagery becomes more in depth and solid. This depicts the evolution and development of a person. I like the idea of using black and white for the majority of my filming- this could be used at the start. The video will be very open for interpretation. 

One of Bonobo's songs that I can imagine working with this idea is 'Recurring' from his 2006 album, Days To Come. The same beat reoccurs and plays over throughout the song, however, more instruments and sounds are added as it goes on. This can depict the person growing/ evolving but still remain the same person inside. I can see the imagery and music corresponding well. However, this track doesn't have the same urban feel to it.

Genres

In today’s lesson we looked at the genres of music videos in order to help us decide and think about the genre of mine. Deciding on a genre helps define what the music video is about, as I am still unset on an idea I found it really helpful to see the options.  

Performance

The first genre we looked at was performance. This kind of music video is when the artist/band ‘performs’ their song live. This is a very simple idea for a video and keeps the focus on the artist throughout.

U2- Beautiful Day is an example of a performance video.

Dance

Dance is another common genre, in this the artist and another’s dance to the beat of the music. This requires a lot of choreography in order to look effective and match the beat.

Micheal Jackson- Thriller

Storyline

This is when the imagery is parallel with the lyrics of the song; they often add a visual enhancement to the lyrics and create an added impact for the audience. For example: Colour The Atlas- Paper Wings. This combines both footage of the band and a storyline following the issues of love and racism.

Conceptual

OK GO also used a conceptual genre for their song ‘Needing/Getting’. In the video the band creates the sound of the song on a car journey. This illustrates the quirkiness of the band. 

Special Effects

These videos are often the ones to stand out. For example: Bonobo- Cirrus. This uses visual effects creating a disjointed mismatch of visuals which is correspondent to the music. Giving it a very surreal, unearthly feel as it continues.  

Animation

Where the music video is purely animated, creating a very unique take on the music. Using animation can also make a very surreal result as you can create things you otherwise would not be able to if shot in real life.

An example of this is: Gorillaz- Clint Eastwood, this shows cartoon of the band performing as well as a surreal storyline.

Browser

This genre uses new technology to stand out. OK GO and Arcade Fire have both used this genre in their music videos to make their videos interactive. OK GO- All is not lost, is an interactive video where dancers creates words (you can chose) with their feet, view here: http://www.allisnotlo.st/index_en.html 

Stop Frame Animation

Listening to Bonobo’s tracks I realised many of them have a very disjointed feel to them. Mr Buckmaster suggested incorporating stop frame animation to illustrate this. Using this imagery will mirror the sound/feel of the music.

Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer

Please look at Peter Gabriel’s video, Sledgehammer (below). This is a great example of stock frame animation. It’s very fragmented which I would love to use if I do one of Bonobo’s tracks (see previous post). The animation combined with the stop-motion shots makes the video seem comical and  helps visualise the lyrics in the song also. Because it is very surreal and slightly bonkers the video stands out the video picked up an MTV music video award back in 1987! Using stop frame animation gave Gabriel freedom of his mind and lyrics which noraml freedom may have not been able to create.

Animation in bed

On YouTube I also found a stop frame animation of someone in bed. Using stop frame animation a story is portrayed although she never moves from her bed. It again is fragmented but fits in with the dreamlike setting of the bed and makes the video very surreal. 



Establishing and Trying Techniques

A technique I would love to incorporate in my own music video is speeding up the movement of clouds using a time lapse or fast motion effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciBMwxxtobE

I love the idea of filming clouds moving fast. As well as giving the video a very natural vibe, it creates the feeling of a fast movement of time and making it seem very surreal and dreamlike.

I also saw the effect briefly in Selena Gomez’ video ‘Come & Get It’ at 0.16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-D1EB74Ckg

It fits in with the naturalistic setting of her video. As the clouds move they cover the sun bringing a darker more mysterious atmosphere to the video.

Below are two attempts I had at filming the clouds. I filmed the cloud footage back in Summer, knowing I wanted to include/try this technique. Because it was filmed in summer the clouds aren't that good! I think it would look more effective if it was filmed with more dense clouds. My camera also loses focus at points which is annoying. I filmed for around 5 minuets and then increased their play speed on Serif- MoviePlus.

Bonobo

Real name, Simon Green, is a British music producer and DJ.Bonobo is one of the pillars to Ninja Tune music label and practitioner of “downtempo.” He is renowned for his heavy, complex bass lines. He often combines sonic sounding music alongside vocals.

I am thinking about uses one of his recent tracks from his album The North Borders for my media product and I think using the rhythm and beats will look effective when combined with imagery.“The album’s narrative takes us through many unexpected territories, each exploring the theme of nature versus machine but in a direction that steadily gears toward the light." If I do use it I hope to blend the camera shots/movement with the beats as I saw in Euan Bakers A2 Media coursework. 

I also like his tracks ‘Don’t Wait’ and ‘Know You’ as I can use the few lyrics to create a storyline.

An interpretation of Bonobo’s track ‘Cirrus’: “The track immediately gives you a spacey organic feel with the glass like chimes along with the echoing effects. A mild high-hat and snare beat enters the civilized melee of sounds along with others that fade in and out throughout the course of the tune. Towards the middle of the song, a heavier bass slides on in giving "Cirrus" that much anticipated weight.”

Please listen to Bonobo's track 'Don't Wait' below.

Comparing and Contrasting A2 Media Work

In our media lesson on Thursday 5^th September we watched two A2 media music videos. Our teacher, Mr Buckmaster, put both the videos on the smart board and without commenting we watched both. After seeing both videos, the first being ‘The Kill’ by Hollie Jenkinson and the second ‘Friend (Lover)’ by Euan Baker, we compared the two.

‘The Kill’ – 30 Seconds to Mars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zflr8QJGt9E

Hollie Jenkins chose a very well-known, post-hard core/alternative rock song for her A2 Media coursework. She used a combination of lip synching, dancing and acting to portray her storyline, in which I believed was about abusive partners and leaving one another.

She depicted a variety of couples showing domestic abuse and arguing. Jenkins used the lyrics in the song to prompt her imagery, for example at 0.21 the lyrics say ‘what if I fell to the floor?’ at that moment the trio of dancers fall. She also used the lyrics in the song to reflect the abuse for example ‘you’re killing me’, ‘come break me down’, ‘bury me’ and ‘I am finished with you’.

However, it was fairly hard to follow the storyline in the video as we were introduced to so many different characters and locations. One moment the (what seemed to be) female protagonist in school, the start and ending shot, and then she is running through a forest, at home, in the bath etc. It seems very unclear why she is in all these locations as it jumps to them all, although I did like the cycle of starting and finishing the video in the same location with similar shots.

Again by having so many characters (particularly women), who are lip syncing and caught in arguments, it is hard to follow anyone. One man appears to be with three women at the same time making it hard for the audience to see any kind of relationship between the ‘couples’. We cannot make a connection to any of the women as there is too many, all seen for only short spaces of time, to enable to feel sympathetic towards them.

The choice of locations, casting and costume all seem badly thought out and chosen for convenience, not because they were appropriate. For example the school location is never revisited until the end in reverse. Also the fight in the street at 0.43 seems very unlikely and running through a forest at 0.31. Furthermore the three dancers are wearing different costumes, as they were dancing in, what looked like, a drama studio with black walls and were edited in black and white; I think all dancers should have worn matching white clothing.

There is also very little/continuous colour treatment, aside from the black and white effect on the dancers. There is the odd shot with over exposure (0.26) but none on the majority of shots (e.g. 1.34).

‘Friend (Lover)’ – Evenings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1qXh3CO9nM

Euan Baker, however, focused much more on his cast, location, costume and imagery. Baker chose a song called ‘Friend (Lover)’ by Evenings, an unsigned, ambient indie project. The track uses repetition along with an intricacy to the shifting drum patterns, which Baker uses to his advantage.

Baker’s imagery is moulded around the beats of the music; he changes camera angles, lengths and movement to fit alongside the complexity of small-scale manipulation. For example at 0.59, the change of shot position along with the black wipe completely works with new drum beat, also at 1.27, where the male protagonist’s face appears as another sound is introduced.  

 

Like Hollie’s video he uses black and white, however, this is continuous through the video. This works well to create the dreamlike/ surreal effect. The dreamlike sensation is mirrored in the music, which begins very ‘airy’ and light, with the high pitched singer/rhythm. I also love the way Euan uses blurred and disjointed images to again reflect the unconscious state.

 

The casting of the male protagonist works as we can imagine the character composing this song, the clothing he wears works perfectly to him giving his a sharp edge. This is juxtaposed with the rural setting of the forest, making him stand out and again reflecting his unconscious state. As the male falls backwards into the lake he is topless and shoeless creating the feel of purity, nakedness and vulnerability. However, we never see him being in danger. We can tell the character is not committing suicide of in danger from his very neutral facial expressions. He does not appear happy or sad but instead thinking. This again could reflect him imagining the dream. As he falls his arms are stretched out in a cross position giving the video religious connotations.

Euan’s video also appears as a cycle by portraying him waking up at the end.

His video has very inspired me to do a song with none or very little lyrics, for example using Bonobo. I liked the idea of using his song ‘Sapphire’.

Production Pitch

Although I am still unsure on what I am doing in for my A2 media coursework, I made a production pitch using ideas I liked in other music videos I saw, which I would like in incorporate in mine.

This is a very draft idea which I will be updating further on.

Production Pitch by Ellie Bunce

My 'Mockumentary'

On Friday 5th of July, we had an immersion day at school. We were instructed to create a short film in form groups, showing everyone in our form, in ’15 seconds of fame’ clips. We planned our ideas prior to the day. My form came up with doing a ‘mockumentary’ (a mock documentary) called ‘Teenage Planet’.

Our form tutor, Mr Pelling, did commentary for the film with a voice over, which we combined from audio from filming too.

Making the film I could apply my AS knowledge from filming along with my recent developed understanding of documentaries.

Please take a look at our final product above.

Caggie Dunlop - 'Neverland'

Another music video I really like at the moment is Caggie Dunlop's new song 'Neverland'. The former 'Made In Chelsea' has recently began to launch her music (singer/songwriter) career along side her fashion label ISWAI.

I love the use of editing in the video, the triangular shapes, cross between colour and black and white and reverse action shots of the waves crashing on the beach (at 1.01 and 1.22). Although it looks very effective it also appears quite complex so I need to experiment with my editing software before I make an initial decision. One particular editing/shot I like is at 0.36 as the fairy lights gradually become focused, I would love to incorporate that in mine.

The music video has really inspired me to base mine on a beach as I love the calmness and natural environment setting, which hopefully I will be able to find a suitable song to fit. I also really like the use of an underwater camera and was thinking about using one in mind which I could take into the sea, if I do decide to film on the beach.

The video doesn't particularly have a storyline, but instead shows Caggie, on the beach and then at a party (in her natural environment). I think both locations work really well for the song as its relaxing.

The video is quite simple, in terms of the shots, but very effective.

Calvin Harris- 'I Need Your Love' ft Ellie Goulding

I music video I really love at the moment is: Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding's new track 'I need your love'. I love the use of a hand held camera making the filming look like home videos. I would love to incorporate that in my A2 coursework as I think it creates a more intimate connection with the characters. In the video we see lots of different people's journey with the camera but with cuts back to Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris regularly. The hand held camera techniques is combined with long shots and medium shots to establish the locations and create the scene in which every person is in.

Please watch the video by visiting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtKZKl7Bgu0

'Spellbound'

‘Spellbound’ is a documentary by Jeffrey Blitz, following eight children (Neil Kadakia, Emily Stagg, Ashley White, April DeGideo, Harry Altman, Angela Arenivar, Nupur Lala and Ted Brigham) in the United States as they compete in the 1999 National Spelling Bee competitions. To watch an extract of it please follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAR0LvSo1TM 

The competition gives us an insight into these eight individuals’ lives, their cultural backgrounds and family life. As the film goes on it comes apparent, it was not made to show and promote these spelling bees, but instead show the lives of different children from all over America trying to achieve the same thing. We get an insight in American culture, the nation of immigrants, and their celebrations of champions. When I think of America I think of big cities and rich towns: New York, Florida, Los Angeles. But I can now see that there are also so many deprived and derelict areas too.  A lot of the filming takes place in Middle America where places are very derelict and run down.

The attitudes and family life of all the children are so different and somewhat juxtaposed. Nupur, an Indian girl is doing well, her family appear wealthy, and she is provided with a computer and equipment to help her learn. Whereas, Angela, a Mexican girl, is quite the opposite, her family moved to America for better education, her father works on a cattle farm. They seem more economically disadvantaged to Nupur. When Angela shows us her studying, all is down on paper, cutting and sticking words to help her learn.

There’s also Ted, again his family seen economically disadvantaged. He recently moved to his school and is very lonely without friends. His parents see the spelling bees as a chance to meet new people similar to himself. He is described by his parents as very humble. He attempts to fit in at school but states ‘nobody can understand’. Emily, however, appears very wealthy. We are shown clips of her singing and being very musical, as well as riding horses. It is apparent she has been given many opportunities for her interests. Emily says in a clip ‘I don’t love spelling, I do it to compete’ she carries on explaining that it is because she is competitive. Both children have very different views on why they take part in these events. Emily’s mother says she sees the spelling bees as a ‘family thing’ but also a different form of child abuse.

From just those four children we have already seen a huge contrast in their lifestyles, and attitudes of the competitions. This is what makes the film so interesting. It may be set around the National Spelling Bee competitions but that isn't the main thing.  

The context of the film was very similar to 'Child Genius', a TV show about 21 gifted children, ages 7 to 11, and their battle to the UK's ultimate child genius. Follow link to watch: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/child-genius 

'The Bridge'

‘The Bridge’ is a 2006 documentary, which captures suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge, by Eric Steel. The documentary was filmed in 2003, it shows suicides and attempted suicides along with interviews of the victim’s family and friends talking of them and discussing possible explanations to their actions. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhARXu3wWDc

The documentary also follows a survivor of a suicide attempt (Kevin Hines), who tells the crew how he realised he wanted to live only as he fell towards the water. In the end, he was rescued by a seal that swam beneath him, which he describes as a sign from God.

Throughout the documentary we are shown footage of Gene Sprague’s final day along with interviews with his close friends. We are enabled to connect with him and understand what he must have been going through, by getting an insight into his life. We learn of his mother and how she originally didn’t want children, but when she fell pregnant, became the most important person in his life. He had agreed to his mother that he would not kill himself until she had died; when she did eventually lose her battle with cancer he became obsessed. Friends of his said he often spoke of death and yet they always thought he was joking. Sprague suffered from depressed throughout adolescence and planned his death. Like in ‘The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off’, although we knew they would both die, we still resented the thought by the end as we had the ability to connect to them. Gene Sprague died May 11 2004.

Like all documentaries, this raises many issues and questions.

Should they be filming this?

Do they have a responsibility to step in?

How did it handle the issue of suicide?

Should they be filming it?

I don’t think filming the people jumping were particularly respectful or pleasant, however, when put into context (with the interviews with family) I can understand their reasoning’s for it. It was much better that we (the audience) had an insight into why these people jumped and contextualised suicide. I also think it was good, seeing a women being saved on two occasions and hearing of a survivors story.

Do they have a responsibility to step in?

Initially, when I first heard of the documentary I thought it was cruel they did not step in and instead sat filming strangers as the plummeted to their death. But actually after watching the documentary, I now disagree. I don’t think they could of done much to of helped these people. It isn’t obvious any of them would have jumped until it happened. I do, however, believe the passerby’s had an element of responsibility to stop them if they had seen. So I think its good they showed the women being saved on two occasions. Although it was shocking how little people were helped, this isn’t a responsibility of the crew. Admittedly the crew could have done more if they saw signs of people contemplating suicide but at the end of the day, they were there to film suicides not prevent them. It’s a tricky topic to discus, as there are so many reasoning’s behind each argument (of should they have stepped in or not). So many that I cannot draw a conclusion and decide. I am torn between both arguments, I know that there was very little they could of done, but perhaps that they still could of.

How did it handle the issue of suicide?

I think it’s respectful of the issue in the way it contextualised why each person we see has committed suicide, with their friends and family explaining their reasoning’s and thoughts. Many of which had mental illnesses. Also by showing a survivor who now has a different view on suicide and realised he now want to live, it portrays how death is not always the answer. Ken Baldwin said: “I instantly realized that everything in my life that I’d thought was unfixable was totally fixable—except for having just jumped.” which Kevin Hines also agreed with. The documentary also shows a woman who was stopped from committing suicide on two occasions over the year. It portrays, although we can stop people from physically committing suicide, that doesn’t always change their cognitions.

The documentary was based upon Tad Friend’s article ‘Jumpers’ in the New Yorker back in 2003, the article deals with the issues of attempted suicide survivors who regretted their decisions. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/10/13/031013fa_fact

I looked into other articles discussing suicide and why people commit suicide. I found that 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from depression and eight out of ten suicidal people give signs of their intentions http://www.capefearhealthyminds.org/library.cgi?article=1115921805. This statistic struck me as surprising, maybe a lot of suicidal people are still searching for help and by people not picking up these signs and acting on them lives are lost. Maybe the suicides we saw could of been prevented.