Homework and Inspiration

Paul decided to email quite a few contacts to see what responses we could get, but we also wanted a back up project if the main project was to be held back by something. He emailed the RSPCA, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and the charity for the Armed Forces.  Luckily Sheffield Wednesday got in contact about 'Tango Man'. We found out his name and the club happily gave us his phone number and that he was interested in being in the documentary.

This was great news and we started to plan out the two minute poetic documentary. We wanted to  gather more information on 'Tango Man'.

There is no valid information on 'Tango Man' other than comments or publishings of him in 'The Star' or other local newspapers. Through these newspaper articles Hannah found out that he is from Wolverhampton and is a huge fan of Sheffield Wednesday team. In some of the newspapers, quotes from the public and Sheffield Wednesday fans described him as a show off whilst others said he was a a legend.  Apparently Tango is banned from various grounds such as Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle for taking his top off and other minor offences. Some of his friends say that he is confident and harmless and is often seen as the teams mascot. 

MAN OF THE MATCH

Whilst looking at various inspirations I came across a short documentary documenting the life of an avid Portsmouth fan. The story follows John' Portsmouth Football Club' Westwood and documents about his life as a fan at the match and his personal life. 

The documentary takes a observational approach and there is no interference from the interviewer. At the beginning of the piece there is two supporters of Portsmouth who know John and praise him.  The documentary then shows John drinking with friends and dressed up in his costume on his way to the match. A fan over the top of these shots praises John and all he does. 

We then see shots of the Portsmouth stadium and logos. It then concludes with an interview with John himself who is dressed in a shirt and tie completely opposite to the attire he wore before telling us how

and when he became a fan and why he will always remain a fan.

The next sequence shows John outside a bookshop smoking, the interview then goes inside the bookshop and John explains that he has a huge passion for books and they are his life. He also explains how he got his name changed by deed poll. 

The documentary then moves to Johns house and shows his huge collection of Portsmouth memorabilia. John explains that he collects anything and everything to do with the club, he moves on to  talk about his tattoos and how he was scared of needles but once he got the courage he covered himself with them, most of them being Portsmouth logos. 

We then go back to John in the stadium and he explains that he has been kicked out of multiple stadiums. He explains why and thinks its the fact that he stands out and is very passionate about his team. The short then goes back to Johns house and he talks about his personal life, especially his divorce from his wife (because of football), right at the end of the film John gets a phone call from his mum and he says he will pick her up soon. 

Overall I thought the short was very sweet and informative about this man. It doesn't explain anywhere what the documentary is about and I just guessed it was looking in to the life of John. The approach they took was very pro and I thought maybe an argument should have been applied to give it a bit more  appeal. John seemed like a very unusual character and it was good to see his softer more laid back side because it was quite a shock to see him working in a book shop, especially from seeing him at the beginning of the short all dressed up looking intimidating, swearing, singing and jumping around.
I like how it was shot especially when he was talking about something the camera went straight to it so we had an understanding as to what he is on about. I also liked the change in music especially when he was explaining how he is single and lives alone, as it changed to a more sadder tone and then went straight in to loud abrasive music when he was at the match. 

Some of the shots were ambiguous and didn't really signify anything. I would have preferred to see more of him at the game or at a different location whilst he was dressed up.

Looking at this piece has inspired me in to thinking about ours a lot more, especially as ours is about Tango's good side and his avid fan side. We need to look at camera angles and fins out what we want to use as an emotive.


Man Of The Match
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2baoSsBRwNc