The documentary Louis Theroux - Gambling In Las Vegas is an investigative documentary in which broadcaster Louis Theroux follows the high-rollers in Vegas who are the experienced and most addicted of gamblers in the city. The documentary aims to present the view that the risk-taking lifestyle of the high-rollers is a damaging aspect of their lives, however different features of the documentary make it clear that they are definitely unaware of the serious consequences that their addiction can have on them. As well as following the daily routine of the serial gamblers, Louis Theroux visits the managers of the casinos in Vegas in a bid to discover their view on the issue and their take on the lifestyles of these people.
In the beginning the documentary Theroux is shown driving along the famous Las Vegas Strip, and explaining through the use of a voiceover his intentions for the documentary. As the car steadily progresses along the road, low-angle shots are used to show the extravagance of the famous hotels and casinos on the strip. The low-angle shots used are as if they are from the viewpoint of a passenger in the car glaring through the window, giving the audience the feeling that they are witnessing the tall buildings on the strip through their own eyes.
Opening Scene
Throughout the documentary, slow fades are used to progress to the next part of the documentary where a new point is made and different features of the gamblers' lives are explored. For example, after Theroux has directly interviewed one expereinced gambler as he gambles on the routlette table, the camera slowly fades to black to progress to a scene showing Thereox contemplating his day in the casino. The gambler being interviewed explains why he feels he can not be removed from the casino if his earnings are extemely low, presenting him as being daring and not fearful of his gambling habits getting the better of him. The fact that the camera fades to black after this moment represents the gambler as being not aware of the possible consequences that may meet him if indeed his earnings at the roulette table are poorer than he expected. This representation of the experienced gambler is supported by the slow fade to black, as the tense moment in which it happens is used to make the audience consider what may happen to the gambler as a result of his casual attitude towards his habits.
Gambler Interview and Fade (6:10 - 8:25 is the area of focus)
Gambling In Las Vegas uses the 'Fly on the wall' convention of documentary, as the camera is alongside Theroux at all times, capturing the lifestyle of the 'hardcore gamblers'. The camera pursues the gamblers through their hotel suite and local casino, thus capturing their actual daily routine where they gamble fearlessly inside the casino and go along with the thrill of the challenge and consequences of their addiction. This documentary technique for filming is used to expose the reality and seriousness of the gamblers' daily actions, and is essentially designed to invade the privacy of these people in an attempt to present the view that they continue with their consequential behaviour with a daring conscience. However, the actuality of the camerawork in the documentary is not always portraying the gamblers in a negative light, as Theroux presents humour during his exploration of the casino in which they play in. Theroux engages directly with the two experienced gamblers as they socialise with their gambling associates and friends in what seems a pleasant and outgoing manner.
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