Initial Research

March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins was released on the 22nd of July 2005 and was directed by Luc Jacquet. Production companies involved in this production were National Geographic Films, Bonne Pioche, Wild Bunch, Alliance de Production Cinematographique, Buena Vista International Film Production France, Canal+ and L'Institut Polare Franҫais Paul-Émile Victor. The intended target audience for this documentary are those interested in the environment, geography students, or a more mature audience. Students in particular may benefit from this documentary because of the information it provides. This is a direct cinema documentary; where an event is recorded 'as it happens' with minimal interference from the film maker (sometimes called 'fly on the wall' documentaries).

Barthes

Enigma code - survival, life vs. death, love story
Action code - suggests walking a long distance, close ups of loving penguins suggests mating, bird flying closer and screeching suggests attack.
Semantic code - cold signifies death, chicks signify life.
Symbolic code - good/bad (chicks hatching/chicks dying), funny/serious (penguins sliding on their bellies/harsh winter)
Cultural code - funny/cute actions create emotional connection with audience, when penguins audience feel sympathetic, when chicks hatch audience is excited/feels adoration


Todorov

Equilibrium - summer in ocean, swimming and eating.
Disruption - winter is coming, journey to find mate, longer, colder nights, birds and seals attack.
Recognition - penguins huddle for warmth, fathers store eggs, mothers travel for food.
Restoration - eggs hatch and grow up, mothers return with food, ice begins to melt.
Resolution - family time, summer returns, penguins return to ocean for food.

Levi-Strauss

Penguin vs. leopard seal
Ritual vs. penguins
childless mother vs. fruitful mother
Violent weather vs. new life

Propp

Hero - Emperor penguins
Villain - Weather, leopard seals, birds
Father/keeper - Emperor penguins
Princess/prize -  Eggs, chicks
Donor - Fish (food)
Dispatcher - Instinct
Helper - Other penguins
  

TT Closer to the Edge

TT Closer to the Edge was released on the 22nd of April 2011 and was directed by Richard De Aragues. Production companies involved in this production were Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX. The intended target audience for this documentary are those interested in motor sport as that is the main theme of the production. This is a compilation film documentary; where the film comprises an assembly of archive images such as real news footage. It is also a talking heads documentary; where testimonies are recorded about people, events or social movements.

Todorov

Equilibrium - repairing engines, preparing for race
Disruption - the TT race, stalling the car, racer dies
Recognition - beginning race, coming 2nd
Restoration - final race, guys gets in an accident
Resolution - guy doesn't die in accident

Levi-Strauss
Life vs. death
Driver vs. driver
Win vs. lose

Propp

Hero - Guy Martin
Villain - Other competitors, death/injury
Father/keeper - The TT race
Princess/prize -  Winning the TT race, trophy
Donor - Wilson Craig