Task 1b

Task 1b

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b047hjf9

A Very British Airline

Format: Series / seasons documentary.

This series is set out in documentaries and seasons of episodes, hence the “Format”. There is no upper age limit or restrictions to minors. Each episode gives an insight of different areas and roles on the selected airport in regards to British Airways. It is filmed and edited professionally. They go about their day to day chosen career paths and show the expertise they must enforce. In addition, how they deal with and solve issue such as delays, cancelled flights and missing passengers etc. This all tells us a story, rather exciting to watch as well because usually advertisements take over on cliffhangers, for example just when a passenger is found with drugs etc. They teach us the ups and downs to the job and what it takes to manage the chosen airport. I believe this program is scriptless and is based truly on what actually happens day to day, i guess you could say "goes with the flow"

Purpose: Educate / inform / entertain viewers.

The purpose is mainly to educate commuters, family's and the general public on how airports work. They go into detail behind the scenes to stress their point on how much pressure is handled just to get you from A to B safely without disruption. It is difficult to take into account the variation in attainment and ability unless witnessed in person, however this show creates a first-hand experience by fighting on going present and frequent difficulties the airport goes through on a daily basis. 

Platform for broadcast: online streaming site. TV

A very British Airline was broadcasted on the 2^nd of June 2014 via BBC Two. The platform is TV, online broadcast and streaming. The locations varied from airports across the globe. Heathrow, New York and Chengdu Shuangliu Airport. the run time is 60 minutes per episode.

Target audience:

This documentary targets all viewers however the primary audience would be those of middle aged group. Why? You ask, it’s interesting to watch and teaches us a lot. Has a little comedy and runs through a stressful day at an airport. Provides information that you wouldn’t usually get anywhere else especially from behind the scenes of an airport. The show would usually target older viewers or mature viewers. As they would show more interest towards the program.

Observational:

It is observational because; they’re being observed while going about their daily jobs. And how they’re approached by passengers and the staff’s retaliation to that.  In rare cases, informal interviews take place and are conducted by the cameraman and a passenger when a flight is cancelled and or delayed to get the passenger’s side of the events. The airline's training of cabin crew has been described as cruel, 'verging on bullying' and that the so-called 'snapshots' (written warnings), which will result in the trainee's contract being terminated should 4 snapshots be accumulated, were issued for 'petty' reasons, such as being 2 minutes late for training, and in trainee Jodi's case, not wearing enough lipstick. The trainers were described as 'arrogant, insincere and petty', this suggests it's a harsh and strict show. this observational documentary is simply and spontaneously observe lived life with a minimum of intervention. The filmmaker in this specific documentary is a neutral observer. He/she isn't seen so they can't influence whats happening. This is nor staged or rehearsed. meaning the camera crew would rush around resulting in the shaky filming we witness in the seasons. Because this is program is observational the camera crew have the benefit of going deep into the life of those who work at the airport with mobility equipment and portable devices where they capture more intimate and personal inflictions where it's seen when a passenger missed their flight and an argument breaks out. This also lets the audience have their judgment as to what their thoughts are on the show without narration.  

Narrative:

Linear narrative is used to set out how the show is presented for example, there’s a beginning, middle and end. This would be done as such; beginning – they’d film early morning and first flights. Middle - filmed during lunchtime midday. It would show common issues an airport goes through daily. Ending - closure of the airport and last flights, also missed and cancelled flights and how passengers would find their own way or if they’re provided with accommodation.

There is no narration or voiceover, seen or unseen presenter. It’s completely based on reality. But mode of address is directed to the viewer. They use a formal tone of language to directly communicate their point of view towards us (the viewers) 

Biased subjective and objective:
I think it is more subjective as they show their feelings and pressure they have to handle to just keep passengers satisfied. On some occasions the passengers tend to get heated rapidly and it becomes a personal matter to the member of staff. But it would be in their professionalism to keep calm. The program shows both sides. From a staff’s point of view to the passengers.

Exposition

In this documentary the exposition occurs at the beginning and introduces the importance of the theme in regards to the episode. At the beginning they introduce the crucial factors of an airport and what it takes to keep and airline running. Especially one like British Airways, one of the world's busiest airlines, where every second is momentous! Dramatic segments of the documentary are specially chosen in order to grab the viewer’s attention. This is seen in the beginning where continuously errors are occurring like delayed flights, angry passengers, and bad weather. These shots are specifically positioned, such that the montage positions us to believe a certain theme presented by the documentary and this the documentary presents its view much more persuasively to the viewer, which results in direct access to the audience.