Fast, Cheap and out of Control

After being subjected to just over an hours worth of watching this interesting and yet quite disturbing documentary I was quite baffled as to what it was about. I left the room still insure of what to write about and then after taking a few days to let the documentary set into my brain- I still wasn’t sure what it was about. One thing is for sure, unlike the rest of the class I was some-what drawn to keep watching.

The use of the various interviews made for interesting viewing even though they were as society calls them “a little strange”. Their expert opinions on their various topics were excellently handled.

The overall idea of the documentary did not come across to me at all. I at the end thought that it could possibly be a relationship between human behaviour, science and animals. This obviously was not the intended implications that the director wanted the viewer to take from the documentary. Morris incorporates a number of devices intended to maintain interest. The chief technique is the use of imagery. The contrast of black and white images with colour images is employed and adds to the documentary a dimension of timelessness. Through the clever use of images Morris manages to link an insect to a mole rat, a mole rat to an insect, a topiary of an elephant to a circus elephant, the behaviour of a lion to that of people. Alongside these images music is used in a way draw the viewer in to the lives of these men, almost bringing their subject matter (be it a topiary or a robot) to life.

Viewers often comprahend what they see in a different light to what the director intended, therefore different connotations are thus taken from the respective medium. The type of language used throughout the documentary is not for the ‘average’ person in the street. This therefore offers the view that the documentary often becomes boring and confusing. The relationship between animals, science and humans is I feel a big part of the documentary. To me this is what came across as the central point. I view this in terms of having my own opinion on the visuals that I saw.

Speaking of visuals- camera movements seemed very satirical along with the satirical ‘clown’ music. This highlighted the interesting part of the documentary. Although it seemed like it had no start, middle or ending, it defiantly had a story. This story that was told, again could be taken in so many different views just like many other documentaries. Take Roger Moore’s documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11”, many people praised him for his hard work and research and then others downplayed his work saying that he had no base to stand. Many views on the topic also surfaced putting his credibility in disarray. Documentaries are based on facts that grab the viewers attention. Too many, ‘fast, cheap and out of control’ was boring but to others it could possibly have been a work of art. It depends at the end of the day what kind of stuff you are in to.

The use of the fading to black was to signify the break in a chapter. This also gave the viewer a chance to have a break and take in what has just been said. The views expressed by the guests were of a very professional and knowledgable status and this provided adequate insight into their lives and the work that they do.