PART 1: 

I watched The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone, and My Octopus Teacher. Both are different documentaries with one being about the human connection with nature and the other about someone’s journey as a transgender female. While being so different I found evidence in both of these documentaries that the observational mode used throughout. The camera follows Georgie Stone in her everyday life, capturing candid moments and interactions as they unfold naturally, and similarly the camera follows the octopus day in day out as the connection develops between them. Another mode that is found within both is the participatory mode, both Georgie Stone and Craig Foster played a direct role in the production of the films along with narration, interview footage and sharing their own personal experience throughout the film. However one thing different about Stone’s is the heavy use of expository mode. The documentary provides factual information about Georgie Stone’s journey, including her activism, challenges faced as a transgender youth, and her impact on LGBTQ+ rights. This mode is a lot more prominent than in Foster’s film. Foster’s film still provides much needed information around the ocean and the natural world but it’s in a less educational manner and there’s a much more poetic feel to the narration of his work. With Stone’s film you feel the call to action, there’s a very clear cause for the film and the issue at hand is made clear. However with Foster’s the campaign behind the is a lot more separate from the film, when watching you may not even realise that theirs all of these fundraisers and environmental causes backing the film it’s something you may only find out when searching.

 When reading ‘Honest Truths’ something that stuck in my mind when watching Stone’s documentary was the use of archival footage, and the potential ethical risks if any of the footage was tampered with or not real, “one filmmaker, for instance, created archival material to use in her documentary and was asked to take it out by the broadcaster when they found out it wasn’t real”  “Honest Truths” (CMS Impact, 2010) P4-5. Stone would have had to make sure that the way the film was placed together didn’t create misleading information or tamper the raw footage in a way to take away from the truthful nature of a documentary.  Within My Octopus Teacher the ethical implications of the documentary are complicated because of the nature of the film. The tampering with wildlife or overall impact on nature when it comes to the ‘do no harm’ principle could be at stake. And would have definitely been a major area of research and refining when it came to the production of the film so that these ethical laws were not broken. When reading the “Honest Truths” (CMS Impact, 2010) it was mentioned in the text that documentary makers “Believed that their work should not harm the subjects or leave them worse off than before.” P8-9. 

In addition to these modes and ethical issues, it was clear both documentaries also exhibit a profound emotional depth, resonating with audiences on a personal level. While “The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone” sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of a transgender individual, “My Octopus Teacher” invites viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the natural world, ultimately leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll.   

PART 2:

Synopsis: 

“Rewilding Our Oceans as a Freediver” is an impact documentary journeying through the coastal city of Port Phillip, exploring the urgent need for ocean conservation. Through my lens as a freediver, in collaboration with the City of Port Phillip Council, the film uncovers the intricate workings of bays and the dire consequences of pollution, notably sediment and nutrient loads from stormwater and treatment plants, on marine ecosystems.

Drawing inspiration from environmental campaigns like Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Greenpeace, the documentary intimately follows my lens on the beautiful ocean we have just at our front doorstep and how overlooked this ecosystem has become. Not only will this film open your eyes to the importance of human connection within the ocean it will also educate you on our oceans ecosystems, and how to better protect our creatures and coral, featuring interviews from influential campaigns within our local community , “Rewilding Our Oceans as a Freediver” serves as a call to action, urging individuals worldwide to join hands in safeguarding our precious marine environments for generations to come. 

Impact Overview

“Rewilding Our Oceans as a Freediver” serves as a powerful call to action in the realm of ocean conservation, resonating with audiences Australia wide while specifically targeting the community of Port Phillip and ocean wary individuals. The documentary draws upon expertise from student marine biologists, environmental scientists, and local advocates within our community to underscore the urgent need for preservation efforts.

Existing campaigns such as Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Greenpeace provide inspiration and a framework for collective action, emphasising the importance of community engagement in safeguarding marine ecosystems.  The film not only hopes to educate viewers on the intricacies of ocean ecosystems but also fosters a deeper understanding of our connection to the sea.

The primary audience comprises residents of Port Phillip and people with a passion for the ocean, aiming to instil local pride and stewardship for the marine environment. By raising awareness and inspiring activism, the documentary aims to create a push for action and protection of our beautiful oceans. And teach us how to enjoy them in a harmless and less impactful way.  

The desired change is a tangible shift in attitudes and behaviours, leading to increased engagement and advocacy for marine conservation. Ultimately, “Rewilding Our Oceans as a Freediver” aims to cultivate a sense of responsibility and empowerment, urging individuals to sign petitions, joining activist groups such as Sea Shepherd and donate towards causes that are centred around ocean conservation. 

Bibliography: 

The dreamlife of georgie stone (2022) IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16426596/ (Accessed: 22 March 2024).

Home (2024) Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Available at: https://seashepherd.org/ (Accessed: 22 March 2024).

Honest truths: Documentary filmmakers on Ethical Challenges in their work (2019) Center for Media and Social Impact. Available at: https://cmsimpact.org/resource/honest-truths-documentary-filmmakers-on-ethical-challenges-in-their-work/ (Accessed: 22 March 2024).

My octopus teacher (2020) IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12888462/ (Accessed: 22 March 2024).

Nichols, B. (2017) Introduction to documentary. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.