Documentary Analysis #1

A Complete History of My Sexual Failures

 

This is a video diary style documentary by independant filmmaker Chris Waitt. The film is about Chris' "personal problems." His "personal problem" is the fact that he does not understand why his girlfriends keep breaking up with him, and also the fact he is worries his friends, and younger brother are settling down and having children, amongst other things. We know that it is a video diary style this as the events filmed take place over a period of time and there are cuts between scenes over different days/weeks.    

The film was produced by Warp X,  a British film production company that works in association with the larger independant prodcution firm Warp Films. Warp Films are best known for producing films such as Dead Man's Shoes and This Is England. It was distributed by Optimum Releasing who are known for classics such as Quatermass and the Pit, An Inspector Calls and more recently Joe Cornish' directorial debut; Attack The Block. Film4 and the National Lottery Fund also helped produce the film.

The film follows many conventions of the documentary stlye. For example, it features a voiceover, done by Chris Waitt throughout the film shedding further details on what is happening in the film. Also there are many interviews throughout the film, many vox pops with random people dwelling on the street that Chris Waitt has approached and forced into discussion as well as some pre-structured interviews, with Chris's mom and ex-girlfriends. There is also some music played over various sections, normall when Chris is narrating or in the or while he talks about his ex girlfriends.

The film is clearly and independant effort and is filmed off one camera. We can tell that it is independant and cheaply made as Chris often walks round carrying his sound equipment while he is followed by his cameraman, the camera work is often shaky and it would seem that tri-pods are not used at all during the filming. This gives the film a more realistic vibe and makes the audience believe that the situation is probably true.