Lets talk about bias!

I think when creating something there are a number of different things that need to be considered in order to make said creation whole. Documentaries and movies alike I feel are no different. The picture itself does not make the work complete. Things such as lighting, camera angles, dialogue, voice and character usage, and music all play a huge role in making a film a complete work. It seems to make the film into a experience where people can form opinions, create reactions, and develop as human beings.

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Now, I think this point is an important one to make due to the fact that I have just watched the first episode of the television series Making a Murderer. In this film the music and the dialogue placement and usage seemed to make a large impact on me. In the film the music was one that encompassed a journey like feeling. It made me feel like the main character, Steven Avery, was on a journey. The type of journey seemed to also be revealed to me as well as I continued to view the video. I say this because the music seemed to move slower at certain times and, in my opinion created a feeling of uncertainty. I think this music was perfect for this film because it filled the role of what the film makers seemed to want for it. I think the film makers wanted to put a spotlight on Avery and force the viewers to become fixated on the character the way they wanted. It seemed they wanted viewers to see his situation as one that is arduous and long, which leads him on a journey through the criminal justice system. For example, the film begins with Avery returning home form an eighteen year prison sentence for a crime that he was not responsible for. So, already we as viewers seem to be attached to this journey that Avery is on by seeing that it will eventually lead somewhere, but we fist must see where it began. The music playing here is slow and has a feeling of uncertainty, which is done I think so we can feel how arduous Avery's road has been. Further, the slowing of pace in the music seemed to create the feeling of uncertainty that really cemented what they wanted. I feel they wanted to create an audience that felt bad for Avery and saw the uncertainty that surrounded his situation. Once they understood this their feeling seemed to be hammered in once they saw the awful journey a, from what it seems, unethical law enforcement agency can cause for a person.

Now, along with that, I think dialogue placement was very important as well. There are two instances I feel explain this properly. In the film, Steven explains what his daily routine is at the prison. When this is occurring the film is depicting the outside of a jail, so you as a viewer seem to feel how awful it must be in there due to his description. The music here, in my opinion, again creates a feeling of uncertainty in relation to what is next for Avery. The other instance where you see this in the film is when Avery is explaining how he would not lie and say he committed a crime of sexual assault that he did not commit. His voice actually stating this seems to allow the viewer yet another opportunity to personally become involved with Avery on this roller coaster of a journey through the system.

With the above information being said, it seems to me that this film creates a lot of bias toward Avery in that we as viewers should see a bad situation where an individual is being mistreated. I feel as though the film has accomplished that. I say this because I believe that, after viewing the first episode once, I myself had created a bias. I felt bad for Avery instantly. I felt, through the music, I was along for the ride on this journey with Avery through the system where he was mistreated and handled without ethics and professionalism by the law enforcement agencies sworn to protect him and treat him with the dignity and respect that is afforded to him by this country. I only saw the negatives in relation to the mistreatment of Avery and was oblivious to the fact that I might not know all of the facts related to the subject and that he has a criminal past of sorts that was discussed in the film.

My problem of an established bias was substantiated when I read an article explaining how Making a Murderer did not paint a complete picture. It was explained that evidence was left out of the film that could have swayed the opinion of viewers, which was explained seemed to be the opposite of what the film makers goals were. The article states that Avery's sweat and blood were found in the car of the murder victim, Teresa Halbach, and that this evidence was not thoroughly examined during the film. This situation shows us that things are not always what they seem and that when we watch or  read about something we should do additional research, so that we are properly informed on the issue and do not allow our first reaction bias to decide how we feel about something.