MG Creating a Documentary: Executive Summary of Research

At the Twin Lights museum, which was under renovation and only had a temporary exhibit when I visited, the designer placed posters around the exhibition room. In place of a formal video system, these posters presented a combination of important information and trivial, interesting facts. Headlines such as “Summer Escape” and “To Save a Piece of History” introduced the visitor to the events in the lighthouse’s history and process behind remodeling the lighthouse. The posters had an aesthetic that reflected the historical importance of the building. Four hanging digital frammmes presented offsite pieces on a slideshow. The temporary exhibit was sparse, presenting only crucial artifacts and information. My information presentation will aesthetically reflect the displayed pieces. My videos will have a more engaging effect on the visitor.

At the Indian River Life Saving Station, an old life-saving station that was remodeled to become a museum, the designer presented the content in various forms. A manager first guided the visitor to a room to view an introductory video. The video told the audience the setting and role the Station had in society in the past, some interesting trivia facts, and the purpose of the work that was done there. The video had an attention-grabbing mood, using recreation, raw footage, music, photographs, documents, maps, and paintings to give context to the objects in the exhibits. The audio tour offered a more in-depth explanation of each object, told how the rooms were used, and how equipment and apparatus worked. The audio system was reached through a cell phone number listed on the brochure and gave around 30 minute-long explanations. Additionally, traditional plaques and cards were placed near artifacts to give a basic description.

The straightforward, concise format of the introductory video held my attention and peaked my interest. In my project, I will use graphics, various types of video footage, music and narration, relevant documents and photographs, and engaging facts to captivate the audience. Although an audio tour gives interesting detailed information, an excess of technology can detract from the overall experience and design of the museum. I will design videos that bring substance to the pieces being displayed and the design of the exhibits. The videos will provide necessary detailed information about the exhibits but will also complement the story being told through the design of the museum. Additionally, because it is currently unclear what objects we will display in the exhibits, I couldn’t create an audio explanation of each piece.

There are several ways to design a video system. One long video will give a large amount of information but will have the coherent presentation of information and examples. A viewer may lose interest in a video that has an overwhelming amount of information or length. A series of videos for each room will give more specific information about the objects. A series can be used as a way to organize the visitor’s experience, directing him through the museum, and complementing the exhibit’s design. However, the designer may find it difficult to connect specific information to the overall theme and message of the museum’s presentation.