Analysis of an Observational Documentary

 

Nights on Earth – Episode 1 - Moonlit Plains 

 

Nights on Earth is a Netflix original observational documentary series. Episode one ‘Moonlit Plains’ explores from the African savanna to the Peruvian desert. It investigates the lives of the predators and prey and how closely these are linked to the moons cycles and the opportunities these bring. As the documentary is observational it had to shoot actuality meaning often the specific activity they aimed to shoot only happens once within months, this factor will greatly influence what is featured (Night on Earth - Moonlit Plains).  

 

Nights on Earth takes a dramatic story telling approach. The entire documentary is a voice over which is played over b-roll and general views. This really allows the documentary to be observational of animal behaviours. The narrator has a calming yet powerful voice which keeps the audience engaged and the content interesting. The narration tends to explain or foreshadow what is going to happen before it does, by doing so, the audience know what to expect and can analyse the animal behaviour as it happens. To make the story telling more dramatic the stakes are always raised for the animals in frame, the prey is always threatened by the predators. For example, the Porcupine and its babies were under threat from the Lions. By raising the stakes paired with the clever choice of music to underscore the imagery lots of tension built. Another interesting story telling approach which is typical of nature documentaries is the relations to animals and their ‘families’, often their documentaries use animals and their relationships to reflect human lives and relationships while also showcasing their animal instincts. Regularly, young animals are shown being chased or hunted by predators as this will tug on the heart strings of the audience. By discussing animals in this way sympathy is built and the audience begin routing for prey to survive despite this breaking course of nature. The narrator states “no one has recorded what happens on this beach after sunset…before tonight” this maintains the tension and excitement as the audience feel they are about to experience something entirely unique.  

 

Nights on Earth uses the stereotypical tropes of a nature documentary. In Episode one, we see many time-lapse shots of the stars, sunrise, sunset and plants growing. These are common features of the genre as they are shooting actuality and the time-lapse shots give a sense of time passing. The use of time-lapse shots as well as close up shots of the sun and moon are significant as the series revolves around how the lives of animals are linked to the moon cycles. As this is the overarching master plot of the series there are many shots using new technology which shows animals in complete darkness. This means the audience can watch how animals really interact at night. These films challenge assumptions and alter perceptions (Nichols, 2017). The viewers may have assumptions about how these animals interact but by engaging with the documentary they can witness real interactions between predator and prey which may differ from their original, pre-determined assumptions.  

 

The series also uses many extreme long shots and long shots to establish the habitat of the animals. This also makes the audience feel as if they are in a rural location and are voyeuristically watching the animals. Alongside these close ups and extreme close ups of the animals are used, mainly shot in shallow focus to create beautiful portraits. This allows the audience to see the details of these animals which they do not come across in daily life.  

 

There are also many action shots which add movement and excitement, some of these are shot in slow motion this allowed the animal’s movements and the way they function to be visible while also building more tension as the action is slower.  

 

Some of the imagery seen is stereotypical of this genre, for example, we see shots of the predators stalking and chasing the prey, the prey hiding in long grass and escaping the predator, then eventually the predators successfully catching and eating their prey. There are also shots of animal carcases and bones. This imagery is always featured within nature documentaries as they are showcasing the natural life of these animals and how ‘mother nature’ works, this involves animals hunting and killing one another. 

 

Alongside the imagery there are ambient sounds of crickets, birds, lions, rustling grass and waves crashing. All of these helps add to the atmosphere created and gives a greater sense that the audience are there. There is a well thought out sound track to the episode for example, up-beat songs are used to underscore imagery of predators hunting prey this helps build tension and pace the drama.  

 

 

 

References 

 

Nichols, B. Introduction to Documentary, Third Edition. 3rd ed., Indiana University Press, 27 Mar. 2017, p. 1. Accessed 29th April 2022. 

Night on Earth - Moonlit Plains. Directed by Peter Fison, Netflix, 2020. Accessed 22nd March 2022