J. Daniels, Ph.D.
Hunter College
Fall, 2009
Worksheet for VIDEO: “Supersize Me”
Synopsis of the film: This documentary by Morgan Spurlock explores the health impact
of a 30-day, McDonald’s-food-only diet on one man, the filmmaker. Spurlock describes
the film as a “tongue-in-cheek, burger-in-hand look at the legal, financial, and physical
costs of America’s hunger for fast food.” This film won wide critical and popular
acclaim when it was released in 2004.
1. What is the premise of the film? (That is, what is the ‘experiment’ Spurlock sets out
to do?)
2. Who do you think is the intended audience of the film?
3. What kind of action or change is Spurlock trying to affect with this film?
4. At one point in the film, Spurlock visits a number of schools and examines the diets
of those institutions. One of the schools, an “alternative” school features a diet of
fresh and freshly-prepared foods rather than processed foods. What does the
administrator at the school say the impact of this change has been on student
behavior?
5. What kinds of food choices are available to students in the other two schools
Spurlock visits?
J. Daniels, Ph.D.
Hunter College
Fall, 2009
6. Given the impact of this change in eating habits on the behavior of students, what
does this suggest about the kind of health intervention that you would propose that
would result in the greatest health benefit for the largest number of students?
7. There are several doctors and a nutritionist featured in the film. By the end of the
film, what is Spurlock’s physical condition?
8. What is the response to Spurlock from McDonald’s (as depicted in the film)? What
is the response to McDonald’s to the film (change in policy after the film’s release)?
9. This film is an example of “corporate disease promotion” discussed in the assigned
reading by Freudenberg. Briefly, explain this concept and how the film illustrate this
concept? (Be specific.)
10. The film was (and continues to be) enormously successful.
accounts for this success?
What do you think
J. Daniels, Ph.D.
Hunter College
Fall, 2009
Media Literacy Questions:
Everything you see in a film (or any form of media) represents an intentional choice by
the director, editor or cinematographer. Since we get most of our information about the
world from media, it’s important to understand how to make sense of media images. Use
these questions to help you make sense of these images.
1. What are the physical qualities of the motion picture (check where applicable):
____ Music
____ Narration
____ Special effects
____ Color
____ Live action
____ Background noise
____ Animation
____ Dramatizations
____ “Talking Heads”
____ Historic Footage
____ Subject Interviews
____ Newspaper Headlines
2. Note how camera angles, lighting, music, narration, and/or editing contribute to
creating an atmosphere in this film. What is the mood or tone of the film?
3. Does this film appeal to the viewer's reason or emotion? Does it intend to make you
think or feel? How does it make you feel?
4. What is the central message(s) of this documentary?
5. Consider the effectiveness of the film in communicating its message. As a tool of
communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses?
6. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond?
7. What information do you gain about this event that would not be conveyed by a
written source? Be specific.
8. Documentaries are often criticized for using too many “talking heads,” that is experts
on the subject of the film who shown talking. Different filmmakers have come up with a
variety of ways to solve the problem of “talking heads.” How does the filmmaker
address that problem in this film?