Page One: Inside the New York Times - Analysis

Page one can be defined as expository, observational and reflexive in terms of documentary modes. Expository since it gives the audience an insight into the New York Times and provides never before seen information and interviews, observational since it follows the staff unobtrusively and observes the goings on of the business, and reflexive since it incorporates interviews and interactions with the staff, the subjects of the documentary.

The documentary uses mid shots that frame a specific subject , Mr Carr, in the centre of the picture, which gives the audience the idea that he is a central character in the film. It also uses over the shoulder shots to put emphasis on the actions of the subject, such as making a phone call or using a computer.

The documentary focuses on a fly-on-the-wall technique, following the subjects of the documentary, the staff of the New York Times and the paper itself without getting involved, creating a more realistic atmosphere. The film differentiates from this technique in places, using interviews and conversations to gain further information on the subject.