Applied Media Research

Nine Lives Media - Mike Lewis

In Sarah's lesson we were lucky to have a talk from Mike Lewis who's wife created Nine Lives Media which produces documentaries that are aired on Channel 4. Mike, who works on channel 4's dispatches told us all about what he does and what these documentaries mean to him and the audience. I did not realise how much thought and legal aspects that have to be considered when making a documentary, because of people being sensetive how much information they can disclose to make sure they keep confidential information unexposed. It was interesting to see how important it is to gather the right information and to speak to the right people before making documentaries just incase it gets aired for example in the wrong context or showing footage that was not permitted. We watched a short clip of one of the documentaries that he worked on recently which was about domestic violence. H ealso showed us how on the dispatches website there are audience interaction servies where you can vote on polls, find out statistics and also have a live webcam chat with one of the victimes that was on the documentary. Mike was saying how important it is to have this on the website because having audience interaction and learning additional information is useful and interesting. This sort of thing can inspire people and can lead to all sorts; I always get inspired after watching the Secret Millionaire which is aired on channel 4 because it always has an emotional impact and makes me realise how much money can change peoples lives. The question that Mike set is the one I am going to chose for the essay.