Similar Product Research by Kim Potter. Candidate number 8180

Similar product research-LA Ink: Season 1 Episode 1

Mode-Reflexive mode, as the people in the documentary all know that the filming is taking place and they talk to the camera knowing it is a documentary, however it is not reflexive in another way as it is not a reconstruction of the truth, and is not really trying to show any 'truth', but it does make the audience aware of the editing and the sounds. It is also expository mode as the documentaries purpose is to inform about peoples stories and why they get tattoos and also about the main character Kat Von D and her journey into opening her new shop and shows how successful she is as a female tattoo artist.

Camera work-Lots of close ups when one person sat talking on their own. Long shots of LA. ALso lots of close ups on tattoos being done, and then over the shoulder shots of people looking into a mirror at their tattoo once it is complete.

These close ups of artists actually tattooing people would be good for us to use in our documentary if possible as it would help to show the world of tattooing and also maybe expose how much talent is needed when becoming a successful tattoo artist.

In my opinion these kind of over the shoulder shots are effective in showing the reactions on the people who have just received their tattoos, and can also show their appreciation and sometimes reveals how much the tattoo may mean to that individual with their reaction to the finished piece.

Editing-Voice over by main person:Kat Von D-explaining what is coming up in the episode, and how she feels about whats going on- like an insight into her mind. Lots of non diegetic music.

Mise en scene-Kat Von D's tattoo shop:LA ink. Lots of shots of LA between shop shots. Peoples homes that she visits. The beach.

Audience-I believe the main target audience for this documentary would be around 15-30 as it is about people within a tattoo shop and people going in and getting tattoos and the stories and meanings behind them tattoos, this may be interesting to young people who are wanting tattoos and may help to show them that many tattoos have meaning behind them and have been thought out a lot before going ahead with them. As Kat Von D is the main character and is a vary successful tattoo artist and also covered in tattoos herself, it shows that views on women and tattoos may have changed, and also that women can be very successful tattoo artists, which may not have been the case 20-30 years ago.

Theses shots of Kat Von D and her Tattoos show her to still be appealing to males in a slight sexual way, as both shots are quite seductive poses, showing skin, even though it could be said to be showing her tattoos off, it can still also be it is to appeal to males and for them to look at her in a sexual way. This shot also links in with Laura Mulvey and 'the male gaze' even though to some men she may not be seen as attractive because of all her tattoos, to other men, they may find her highly attractive. In these shots Kat Von D is not only flaunting her tattoos, but also her body, and showing sexual appeal. This shows that even though the documentary is about tattoos and her career within the tattooing industry, there is also voyeurism that will appeal to people, even if it is subconsciously.