Critical Reflection essay

 Critical Reflection Essay 

As part of my A2 coursework, I created Head On, a documentary that explores the risks of head injuries in sports. Inspired by John Grierson’s belief in film as a tool for education, I aimed to produce an expository documentary that informs and shows the risk to athletes of concussions. My documentary uses real-life footage, expert interviews, and an analysis of protective gear advancements to educate audiences while engaging them emotionally. Through careful research and application of documentary conventions, combined with cross-media promotion, I ensured that Head On effectively reached and impacted its audience. 

How did your products represent social groups and issues? 

Head On primarily represents athletes as a social group, focusing on their vulnerability to head injuries and the lack of awareness surrounding their long-term effects. The documentary highlights how concussion protocols in various sports often fail to protect players, reinforcing concerns raised in medical studies. By featuring an expert interview, I aimed to challenge the perception that athletes should simply “tough it out,” instead advocating for better safety standards. 

My documentary also explores the accessibility in sports safety. Research into headgear advancements revealed that not all athletes have access to suitable protective equipment. This issue is particularly relevant in grassroots and lower-league sports, where funding for safety measures is often limited. I discuss the importance of protective gear across different levels of competition. This ensured that my documentary addressed a broader social issue beyond just professional athletes. 

The representation of injury victims is another key focus. Rather than just showing high-profile cases, I included footage of concussions from both amateur and elite sports, ensuring a broader portrayal of those affected. Inspired by The Last Dance’s use of many perspectives, I emphasized that concussions are not just an issue for elite athletes but for all levels of play. 

In terms age representation, my documentary investigates the narrative of contact sports injuries. Research into concussion statistics revealed that younger athletes often suffer more severe symptoms yet receive less media attention. Head On presents a more inclusive representation of those affected by head trauma as it can be easy to forget that there are the same tough impacts for younger athletes.  

 

How do the elements of your production work together to create a sense of branding? 

To create a sense of branding, my magazine article, and social media campaign all followed the same style and message. The branding of Head On focuses on a serious but informative tone, using a simple color scheme of black and white but then also having some colour on the focus subjects to make the posters more impactful. This colour scheme was applied across all promotional materials to make the brand easily recognizable. I was inspired by successful sports awareness campaigns such as the NFL’s Play Smart. Play Safe, which uses bold visuals and direct messaging to educate people about head injuries. 

The documentary itself follows a structured but engaging editing style, featuring replays of injuries alongside expert analysis. This clear and factual tone is reflected in my magazine double-page spread, which includes key images both from within the documentary and also striking posters and a researched article about concussion awareness. I designed the layout to resemble Total Film, giving it a professional and realistic look that fits within the sports documentary genre. 

Social media was also important in maintaining brand consistency. I created teaser posters and short videos that used the same typography and color scheme as the magazine and documentary. I took inspiration from health awareness campaigns that use powerful images to immediately catch people’s attention. Real world footage paired with concussion statistics helps to reinforce the documentary’s purpose as both full of action but also an educational tool. 

By using multiple media formats, I followed real industry branding techniques. Research into documentary marketing shows that using different platforms helps reach a wider audience. Combining my documentary with a magazine article and social media campaign made Head On feel like a complete media product rather than just a single film. This reflects modern media practices where branding goes beyond one platform to fully engage the audience. 

How do your products engage with the audience? 

Audience engagement was a key consideration throughout the development of Head On. As an expository documentary it targets sports fans, athletes, and individuals interested in sports safety. I structured the documentary with a mix of real-world footage, expert analysis, and historical context, catering to both emotional and educational engagement. Inspired by The Test, I used personal testimony to create relatability, while The Last Dance influenced my use of archival footage to build credibility. 

My social media campaign played a crucial role in engaging audiences before and after the documentary’s release. I used Instagram to post teasers, behind-the-scenes footage, and information on sports safety. By encouraging audience interaction, I applied the Uses and Gratifications Theory, which suggests that audiences actively seek out media that aligns with their interests. This strategy ensured that Head On could be discussed. 

The magazine double-page spread also contributed to engagement by offering an extension of the documentary’s themes. It provided additional information on head injuries, ensuring that audiences who encountered the magazine were drawn into the conversation even before watching the documentary. The combination of promotional and educational content mirrored industry-standard marketing strategies, making engagement more effective. 

Beyond promotional efforts, the documentary itself engages audiences by providing actionable insights. The section on headgear advancements offers practical knowledge that athletes can apply, making Head On not just informative but also useful. By balancing awareness with solutions, I ensured that my documentary left a lasting impact on viewers, aligning with Grierson’s philosophy that documentaries should drive social change. 

How did your research inform your products and the way they use or challenge conventions? 

Research was essential in shaping Head On, my expository documentary about head injuries in sports. Inspired by John Grierson’s belief that film should educate and inform. I aimed to follow conventions of the expository mode, as outlined by Bill Nichols, while also using observational elements to enhance realism. Research into The Test (2020) reinforced the importance of interviews to provide expert insight, this inspired me to interview a sports scientist explaining the long-term effects of concussions. Similarly, The Last Dance (2020) demonstrated how real-world footage could reinforce meaning, influencing my decision to integrate footage of actual head injuries across multiple sports. 

By analyzing Adam Curtis’ approach to challenging conventions through archival footage and commentary. I ensured Head On didn’t just highlight risks but also questioned the normalization of injuries in sports culture. Additionally, my research into safety advancements led to a segment on headgear evolution, educating audiences on how athletes can better protect themselves. 

I applied industry-standard cross-platform marketing techniques. My social media campaign included teaser content and “Coming Soon” announcements, following Henry Jenkins’ concept of participatory culture by allowing audiences to interact with the film pre-release. My magazine double-page spread, inspired by Total Film, combined promotional content with an article on concussion education, extending the documentary’s message across platforms. This approach adheres to modern media industry practices, ensuring accessibility and engagement.