I believe the criteria needed in order to make a documentary film persuasive and successful are as follows; It need lots of factual evidence from multiple sources, an appeal to the emotions of the audience, and a call to action.
In relation to the purpose of this film, I believe it was successful in informing the audience about the advancement of Tesla’s fully electric car, however, I don’t believe it was necessarily successful at persuading the audience to a call to action! The film does present multiple factual points as to why EV’s (Electric Vehicles, especially the Tesla Model S) are superior to its competitors and appeals to the audience in many ways by giving, throughout the video, reason after reason for how the car can improve the standard of life for the buyer, yet once again, doesn’t clearly call for those watching to make the change. Perhaps because the video is made from another perspective other than that of Tesla themselves, it might be harder for that call to action to arise. For these reasons, I don’t believe the documentary itself was as successful as it could have been, had it included a stronger call to action backed by more evidence surrounding the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.
The film I chose to review was “Tesla Motors - Elon Musk - Documentary 2019,” by National Geographic. This film focuses on the growth of Tesla as a company and their mission as a group competing to create a better alternative to current transportation. I believe the purpose of the film is to not only inform the viewer of recent advances in technology but to persuade them that what is coming is much better. In terms of an environmental film discussing my exact topic of air pollution from vehicles in urban areas, it was a bit difficult to find something in exact congruence with my topic, yet this documentary focuses on and poses some very interesting and compelling facts dealing with their solution: electric vehicles. As far ast the first criteria is concerned, there are a number of factual statements given providing evidence as to the benefits of the car to the consumer (not specifically all environmental). For example, in the fourth minute of the film, it is explained that these electric powered cars can potentially cut emissions in half, even after considering using a coal powered plant to produce electricity in the first place! I wish there was more evidence akin to that given above, but I still believe it satisfies the demand for factual evidence in an argumentative film, essay or discussion.
Of course, once again, the original purpose of the film was not to convince viewers to aim for electric vehicles over gas vehicles due primarily to environmental benefits, but rather influence viewers to understand the benefits of EV’s for reasons related to technology, speed, luxury and other sumptuous commodities. I believe these argumentative avenues had and have a big effect on the viewer because it provides the “ooh” and “ahh” of the presentation. The viewers are engaged because this new technology is interesting and that helps to keep all viewers engaged in the process. To give an example, throughout the video, multiple shots and videos are taken of the electric car in production, giving view to its luxuriousness and its beauty. For that purpose, in the domain of appealing to the audience, I believe the film does a great job making the view “want” what they’ve got and appeals to their emotions, especially that of desires!
Obviously, there are multiple ways to tackle the challenge that our current vehicles pose to the environment, yet their (Tesla’s) goal is not to slow it down or “fix” the current model of car, but rather create something completely and wholly new. As mentioned many times before, the purpose of this film is not to persuade over matters primarily dealing with the environment. The documentary itself isn’t given from the point of Tesla convincing the audience to buy their product but rather a report of information from an outside source. Because of this, I believe the film lacks a direct call to action, as in it doesn’t quite get people up and out of their seats preparing to do something.
In conclusion to my review of the documentary, I believe it deserves a C+ in regards to a persuasive film, because it lacks an essential quality of a great persuasive argument, as there is no direct call to action. Despite having a few great points of compelling evidence and a great emotional pull, the lack of a call to action diminishes the point of a persuasive documentary film or video in the first place!
Disclaimer: I understand that this video may not have been meant or created for the purpose of persuasion, which may shed light as to why it lacks in the realm of effectiveness, but for the purpose of this assignment, I believe it qualifies for discussion!
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9PGi8hHvY
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