Specific Techniques

Question 1

Archival and Found Footage =

Answer 1

• Home videos. concert footage and personal recordings allow the viewers to experience Amy’s life through her own eyes which creates an intimate and authentic connect.
• This helps to humanize and provide depth to Amy
• The rawness allows the audience to feel closer to her
• This highlights the contrasts between the public image and her reality
• Archival footage of Amy with her closest friends allows us to view Amy through the lens of her closest people and have her gaze back with the same level of intimacy. Provides an intimate portrayal of her life
• Allows the audience to connect with Amy on a personal level with deeper understanding and empathy

Question 2

Voice-Only Interviews =

Answer 2

• Kapadia uses interviews as narration
• Avoids talking head interviews which makes it inauthentic and dramatized.
• He overlays their voices onto archive footage and still images therefore the focussing remaining on Amy rather than prioritising the commentators retelling her life
• Allows Amy to retell her own story through homo-diegetic narration

Question 3

Editing =

Answer 3

• Frankenbiting is used when scenes are edited into smaller sound-bites to change the meaning of the scene
• Kapadia uses Frankenbiting to create a different response which creates sympathy for Amy
• This is seen in the ‘Blake Interview’

Question 4

Overlay Lyrics =

Answer 4

• The use of titles and written information gives crucial information
• Kapadia uses captions to give information
• The film begins with lesser known lyrics but then changes to her big hits as the narrative and struggles intensify

Question 5

Still Pictures =

Answer 5

• There is still images from personal collections and also from within the media, which provides a more personal interaction as she gazes into the audience
• Montages of still photographs and zooming in on photos gives a sense of scrutiny and truth-seeking

Question 6

Soundtrack =

Answer 6

• The narrative is built around the meaning of the song which allows Amy to narrate her own story
• Amy’s voice and lyrics dominate the screen and used as a storytelling device

Question 7

Narrative =

Answer 7

• Takes the audience on a journey through the highs and lows of her life showing her struggles with mental health and addiction
• It is a coherent and engaging story of her life
• The archival footage means they are able to experience her struggles first hand which helps humanise her