3 Minute Wonders.

What is a 3 minute wonder? A 3 minute wonder is a quick factual short, in which the viewer can quickly find out about something and become educated on it, these are featured on Channel 4 in the evenings so that there will be a large audience. They are 3 minutes so that they are long enough to keep the viewer engaged.

What us the aim/purpose of a 3 minute wonder? The aim of a 3 minute wonder is to enlighten the viewer in a quick 3 minute video, aimed to help them see into other peoples perspectives.

What sort of topics are seen on a 3 minute wonder? There are many different topics seen in 3 minute wonders, most being factual and serious to try and shock the viewer into seeing the experiences of other people/



Which 3, 3 minute wonders did I like and why?: 

Karl Pilkington - Holidays: I liked this one as Karl uses a witty tone to discuss his opinion on holidays, he is very negative about them all and his pessimistic view on life is humorous to watch, the viewer is left smiling after viewing this as his negative view can leave them oddly optimistic, as they realise that they indeed have a more positive view on life. I learned about Karl;s opinions about holidays through this '3 Minute Wonder' this one wasn't the most factual of all 3 and is one of the more un-common formats of the 3 minute wonders.
This is a reflexive documentary as it follows Karl in his unique for of a documentary.

Last Supper -  This was arguably the most serious one in which I viewed, due to it being about a man on death row talking about what he may have for his final meal, this was unsettling as he is telling the viewer that whatever he consumes he won't want that as his appetite, as he will not feel hungry as he fear of inevitable death will get to him, whilst consuming it. I learnt that the last meal is not pleasant, even if they are offered whatever that want to consume, this is due to the fact that it will be the last thing they ever eat and the fear looms over the experience of eating it.
This is an observational documentary, as the filmmaker does not intervene and shows a slice of life of the person.

The King Of Laughter: This was a 3 minute wonder based on the world record holder of the world's longest laugh and his experiences in Walsall. This is due to the fact that Walsall is known as the most unhappy place in England, so he visits all the from Ethiopa to attempt to cheer people up with his laughter.
This is also an observational documentary, as the filmmaker does not intervene and shows a slice of life of the person.