Happy

Figure 1

What does it mean to be “happy”?

Figure 2

Happy is a documentary that aims to answer that very question. What makes one happy and how can we find this emotion most effectively? This purpose of this documentary is to profile many different individuals and find the answer to what makes us happy, and how we can get there. Whether you’re eight or eighty, Happy is the kind of film that will make you reevaluate your lifestyle and how you view the earth. This documentary makes great use of interview and scene location. Location is used throughout the film, and we see shots in unique places. For example, while interviewed about what makes him happy, a Louisianian tour guide is interviewed on the bayou itself rather than in a room. (Figure 2  & 3)

Figure 3

This film focuses on what is really important and each scene has a deep strong message tied to it. There are few “Filler Scene” or scenes used to take up unnecessary time. The documentary Makes great use of Matching Audio and Footage as well. For Example, If a Person is talking about their pet, you can expect to see shot of the pet following the audio. The footage used has deep meaning to it. Going back to the example of the tour guide. We see shots of nature and open space. These shots are used to convey/symbolize freedom of mind and inner happiness. The documentary uses spontaneous interaction as well as scripted interaction. Throughout the film we see transitions being used. One unique transition is in the form of quick interview. Random people on the street were interviewed and asked “What they want in life?” all of them shared the same answer: “To be happy” (Figures 1, 4, and 5)

Figure 4

Figure 5

Not only are random individuals and accounts used for interview, but expert testimonies are used as well. Psychologists are often interviewed in this documentary in order to back up the claims by others. These “experts” give scientific proof to strengthen the points of others. Animation, charts and visuals are also used to show information. Use of narration is present in this film. A Narrator is present throughout the film and gives the audience facts, introduction to characters, and background information during the documentary. This documentary’ s main focus wasn't as much making an argument, as it was informing an audience about a subject. The documentary focused to teach viewers about happiness and how to achieve it.
The camera work on the documentary as a whole was not too major. They used a lot of still shots and handheld shots. Scenes had light pans and focuses but nothing too radical. From a filming perspective it was shot rather safely and this works. The nature of the film did not require intricate camera movements or techniques and worked fine without them.
Overall, I would say that this film was very effective. It taught viewers a lesson that benefited them. Its a documentary that really makes you ponder what you know and how you think. It teaches viewers about being thankful and what they can do to better enrich their lives. After watching this documentary i really did think about how i was living my life. If you’re looking for a documentary that'll make you think and give you that “feel good” attitude, look no further.