Documentary: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings
(A picture of the opening credits of the show and two weddings that were featured on the show)
Synopsis:
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is a British documentary series that gives the audience an insight to gypsy/travellers lives as well as gypsy weddings. A documentary that divulges their life of travelers, gypsy culture, traditions, every day life and most importantly their weddings.
The key elements of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings of the show are:
- Voice Over – There is a female voice of god that the audience hears during the documentary. She addresses the audience.
- Action Footage – Fighting, Partying etc. You see countless footage of this happening
- People Talking – Characters from the show talk throughout.
- Interviews – Throughout the show there are several interviews from different cast members. In the interviews they always ask for the interviewees opinion
- Music – Traditional cultural music is played throughout the show. The show also features real music.
The codes and conventions of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings:
- Voice Over
- Presenter
- Hand Held Camera
- Music both Non-Diagetic and Diagetic
- Point of View; Bias
- Strong and Interesting Premise
- Facts
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is an expository documentary. The show uses a narrator to address the audience directly and to present an exposition or explanation interpreting what they are seeing on screen. The key issues within the documentary are mainly to do with the gypsy travellers. Despite the documentary mainly being based around their cultural weddings, you are introduced to other problems/issues that are within the gypsy community. The extent of the issues that are presented to the audience in the documentary could be argued as prejudice against gypsy travellers. The way that gypsies are conveyed to the audience make them seen out to be rude aggressive animals. There is a scene in Big Fat Gypsy Weddings where Paddy Doherty discusses having fights with other people within the community. He explains that fighting is what they live for and that they don’t know any better than to protect themselves and their families. This could be a two-sided argument because some people might agree with this statement. Protecting yourself and your family is what comes first. However, others can argue that there violent ways don’t help there reputation.
Gypsy grabbing is another key issues that is explored within the show. The show leaves you to make your own judgement on them.
The main subjects that are represented:
- The Weddings – This is what the show is based on. This is what grabs the audiences’ attention. This is what you look forward to seeing.
- The culture – The culture that is explored on the show is a major part of the show.
The aim of the documentary is to educate the audience on gypsy life. Teaching other people and other cultures about a life that is so different not only widens other people’s knowledge about their culture but to inform them as well. Because their life is very oblivious to others around the world, this documentary gives you a chance to understand how they live and what its like to be them. You get the chance to explore their culture. In a way, it is like the documentary challenges other stereotypes. It changes there personal opinion on how they seem and how the people are.
(Two stars of the show; on the left Thelma Madine and Paddy Doherty)
The aesthetics of the documentary is very ostentatious. The show in general isn’t necessarily filmed on mobile cameras but you can watch the show on your mobile via a mobile application. The clothing that is featured on the show is very flamboyant and is one of the things that draw the audience to the show. The wedding dresses that the female characters of the show wear for their wedding is always big and over the top.
(Trailer for Big Fat Gypsy Weddings)
(A Clip About Gypsy Grabbing)
(Travelling Culture Clip)
Codes and Conventions of Factual Programmes:
- Voice Over
- Presenter
- Hand Held Camera
- Music both Non-Diagetic and Diagetic
- Point of View; Bias
- Strong and Interesting Premise
- Facts
A large majority of factual programmes consists of these things.
Examples:
- Teen Mom (MTV, 2009-Present) is a documentary, which uses a few of these codes and conventions, some of the ones used are;
Voice Over – Some of the cast members do a voice over on the show.
Facts – Events that have happened in the characters lives. All of these events are true and adds to the storyline.
- American Gangster (BET, 2006-present) is a documentary which tells the story of real American Gangsters. This show also uses a few codes and conventions.
Point of view; bias – This sells the writer/directors/real gangsters POV, trying to make the audience understand what has happened.
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