Date of Publication

2-28-2022

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Major in Communication Arts

Subject Categories

Communication | Social Media

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Communication

Thesis Advisor

Norman S. Zafra

Defense Panel Chair

Rica Leticia I.Arevalo

Defense Panel Member

Bruno Lovric
Ryanorlie B. Abeledo

Abstract/Summary

B-Side is a mini-documentary series that tells the story of three young Filipinas dealing with bipolar disorder. Packaged as mobisodes (mobile episodes) and published on the social media platform TikTok, the documentary targets the Generation Z audiences. With half a million Filipinos diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020, B-Side presents the realities of these individuals and addresses the stigma surrounding the disorder. It takes advantage of the affordances, popularity, and unique features of TikTok as a new media platform for socially relevant documentaries. More importantly, it challenges the traditional norms of producing documentaries given its short-form vertical format and aesthetics tailor-fit to the platform.

Three case studies diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Celina, Frankie, and Bea are featured in 14 mobisodes. B-Side weaves their narratives with the sociocultural context of mental health in the Philippines, prompting the case studies to serve as active agents living life while managing their diagnoses. As conversations on mental disorders remain sensitive to this day, there is a need to further normalize the public discussion on mental health, and to push for more inclusive and accessible services for Filipinos.

This project is a hybrid production, which combines stylized/recreated shots from the proponents with contributed footage from the case studies themselves. All interviews were held and recorded via video conferencing application Zoom. With this, B-Side calls upon filmmakers to explore the possibilities of social documentaries to emerge in new media platforms.

1080p MP4 format. 9:16 (vertical) aspect ratio.

© 2021 Dara Norene V. Ilaya, Rosita Consuelo D. Marcelo and Gizelle B. Menia.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Documentary films; Bipolar disorder --Philippines; Social media

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Embargo Period

2-28-2022

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