FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER PM

FRIDAY 28^th OCTOBER PM – Recce research trip practical

In this afternoon session we formed a (pretend) production group who were working on a documentary about the ‘real Fresh Meat’.

·      ‘Finding out the truth behind the assumption that student life is just an excuse for behaving badly away from home’ 

·      Are students really only interested in getting drunk, getting laid and generally doing as little as possible?

·      What really happens when you go to university? Is it a different experience for everyone? Do you go there to learn about a subject or learn about life? How can the student make the most of the experience?

·      Are the financial obligations now making attending university now an impossibility for teenagers unless they have rich parents?

·      Do students really get what a student loan is? Do they realise what it will take to pay it back?

·      Are some people more suited to university than others?

·      Have things changed? Is it the only way to get a non-manual job?

We had to produce 4x30 minute documentaries on relevant, honest and frank issues that affect students today.

We discussed what we thought the most prominent issues were, and came up with; finance, socialising, health, and work load. We also discussed the angle we would take on the documentaries. A ‘fly on the wall’ documentary would be good as we would be able to see the students in their natural surroundings behaving as naturally as possible. However, for ethical reasons, we would have to tell the students what we were filming and they would have to give us permission. So the students would always be aware the cameras were there. It would also be un-ethical to have cameras in the student’s bedrooms and toilets. Which means we wouldn’t be able to capture some footage which could be vital in answering these questions. Another angle we could take would be to interview the students about their new lives, and to encourage them to go as deep as they wish. And then possibly use actors for re-construction so the audience also have an engaging visual. The option of whether to have the same students in all four documentaries arose also. Having the same four would give a consistent account of student life. However, we face the statement that all humans are different, and whether having different students each week would give a broader view of student life. I felt that the audience would engage more if it were the same four students, as they would get to know them and gather a sense of recognition for them, which would enable the audience to enjoy the series more, and there keep watching. What sort of students to pick for the documentaries is also a major factor. For example, would we have all young (18-22 year old) students? Or would we mix it up and feature mature students also. I feel that having at least one mature student would make the documentary appeal to a wider audience. Do we use British students, or include foreign students? Again, I feel including at lease one foreign student will make the documentary appeal to a wider audience. It is also a strong contributing factor to university, as now I don’t think there is one university that does not have foreign students, and therefore I feel it is necessary to include this in showing what student life it really like.

Watching the programme ‘Fresh Meat’ is a good insight into student life as it not as wild and over the top as ‘Skins’ but I feel it does show an almost accurate portrayal. However, it is a drama, and it purely for entertainment purposes and therefore some of the stories are a little exaggerated. For example, sleeping with lecturers, impulsive liars etc. I don’t think this happens much at university and definitely not all under one roof!

I would want to create a documentary that would interest prospective students, so they know what to expect before entering a totally new life, alone.