Weeks 11 and 12: Reality TV
1)How have the documentary genres ‘Direct Cinema’ or ‘cinéma vérité influenced reality TV and the presentation of the ‘real’? Discuss in the context of a contemporary reality TV show.
2)How does Hill define reality TV? Describe his definitions in the context of a contemporary Reality TV show.
3)What has the early docudrama (e.g. Cathy Come Home) contributed to the development of Reality TV? Discuss in the context of a contemporary reality TV show.
2)How does Hill define reality TV? Describe his definitions in the context of a contemporary Reality TV show.
3)What has the early docudrama (e.g. Cathy Come Home) contributed to the development of Reality TV? Discuss in the context of a contemporary reality TV show.
2) How does Hill define reality TV? Describe his definitions in the context of a contemporary Reality TV show.
ReplyDeleteHill defines reality television as a style of tv show with “non-professional actors, unscripted dialogue, surveillance footage [and] seeing events unfold as they are happening in front of the camera” (Hill, 2005). There are a variety of different categories under the genre ‘Reality TV’, such as game shows (Millionaire Hotseat), popular entertainment (The Voice), medical emergency (Rapid Response) and many more. Reality TV over the years has developed from a more raw and open outlet to something more of a scripted and conservative nature. The more traditional reality TV shows, Hill begins to explain, are those of the medical emergency genre, with taking the “raw ingredients of on-scene emergency services reality TV and processing them into …. reality gameshows” (Hills, 2005). This shift and the introduction of reality TV of a more scripted nature have spiralled into tv shows such as the Kardashians and the Real Housewives. Now a question of authenticity - the Kardashians is heavily based on petty drama and the drama between the family members which is the newest form of reality TV. We see it all the time, the constant bickering and complaining, which is a significant shift from other types of reality TV such as medical emergency etc. We see societies focus being shifted from fast paced dramatic entertainment to mindless and dull entertainment - where is it heading next?
Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge
Well answered. Reality TV is no longer real!
DeleteHow have the documentary genres ‘Direct Cinema’ or ‘cinéma vérité influenced reality TV and the presentation of the ‘real’? Discuss in the context of a contemporary reality TV show.
ReplyDeleteThese two documentary genres hold similarities to what we can see in contemporary reality television, how how these shows are presented to be a representation of “real” life. Looking no further than possibly the most watched family for the last few years- the Kardashians. Their reality TV show “Keeping up with the Kardashians” is a television series based around giving insight to their glamorous, and out of the ordinary lives.
The documentary genres ‘Direct Cinema” or ‘cinéma vérité’ both have the similar feature of acting as a “fly on the wall” when filming. This too can be seen in Keeping up with the Kardashians (KUWTK) as for the majority of the time it is as if there are no cameras present which is adding to the viewer experience making it feel as if you are getting a glimpse into their private/personal lives.
However, there have been occasions where the genre characteristic of ‘cinéma vérité’ and having the camera man come into the shot was noticeable, and especially when heated moments of drama unfolded. This could possibly add to the sense of ‘real’ in reality TV, as the subject dismisses the camera and what was previously an unseen crew, which the viewer sees as a fair reaction when the subject is angry/sad (both being relatable human emotions).
KUWTK would fall more similar to the characteristics of the ‘direct cinema’ genre. The show focuses on a family that is relatable in some way to people, but also are completely different. This is why people watch it, and continue to watch it. Because of the way in which it is filmed, it is as if the viewer is sitting in the kitchen with them, or walking around with them, or even sitting in on a photo shoot with Kim Kardashian herself. The viewers feel as if they learn more about the subjects through intimate moments and what seems like “raw” emotions that are relatable to any human. While some of the situations are not relatable, it can be seen that KUWTK- as well as other reality television shows- puts large emphasis on the basic human emotions to develop a viewer/show connection that is more ‘real’ than what one would feel towards a movie/fiction character going through ‘fictional’ problems.
The element of ‘realness’ in reality TV ultimately begins with the fact that the characters in the show portray their real selves and not a fictional character. However reality television thrives from drama, and if drama does not occur naturally it is often encouraged or even scripted- but still aiming to appear ‘real’. If the audience sees relatable emotions/scenarios mixed with camera work which feels raw and like a ‘fly on the wall’, this is what then creates a sense of ‘reality’- it is as if you are being let into someones else’s life.
You explain well he appeal of such shows.
DeleteQuestion 3
ReplyDeleteA lot of the modern day British reality TV shows that are on the air now owe their development and success to the groundbreaking “docudrama”, Cathy Come Home. This revolutionary movie, produced in the the 1960s, tells the emotional story of a mother’s trying journey to create a stable life for her children by challenging poverty and homelessness on a day to day basis (film screening). This drama movie, filmed in the style of a documentary (docudrama), depicts heartbreaking scenes of a lovable and relatable family torn apart due to unfortunate circumstances of poverty and neglect from the government (film screening). This docudrama created huge waves after first being produced. The movie inspired people to look into the benefits and welfare system of Britain and people cried out for a change in the policies for those in the deepest depths of poverty (Biressi & Nunn, 2005). This influential movie, due to its profound societal effect, played a large role in the future production of many modern day reality shows. According to Biressi and Nunn’s excerpt, Cathy Comes Home forever changed the drama reality television genre by turning TV towards the subject of “dramatized reality” and showing exaggerated storylines of ordinary people centered around relatable societal issues common to the time period. This change from classic drama to a more realistic type of television required a change in camera perspective; one where it felt like the audience was really following along with the actors (Biressi & Nunn, 2005). This style of drama has led to the development of modern day reality TV, which uses hand-held cameras in mostly natural environments to depict people’s normal lives, just like the filming of Cathy Come Home. The modern day reality TV show Benefits Street, is one particular show that has been influenced by the docudrama. In Benefits Street, a TV crew films the lives of the people of Bakers Street, a well-known poverty stricken avenue featuring a wide variety of families (film screening). This reality TV show depicts a lot of similarities to Cathy Come Home. The show is filmed also in a documentary-like fashion, with camera crews following people in their natural homes, and it also shows viewers the reality of poverty and how relative it is in modern-day society. Cathy Come Home has inspired a new generation of reality television that relies on the use of realism and central societal problems to create a powerful and very telling narrative.
Biressi & Nunn, 2005, Class Excerpt on AUT Online
Film Screenings of Cathy Come Home & Benefits Street were viewed in class
Well thought though. Would benefit from some paragraphing.
DeleteREVISED VERSION
DeleteQuestion 3
A lot of the modern day British reality TV shows that are on the air now owe their development and success to the groundbreaking “docudrama”, Cathy Come Home. This revolutionary movie, produced in the the 1960s, tells the emotional story of a mother’s trying journey to create a stable life for her children by challenging poverty and homelessness on a day to day basis (film screening). This drama movie, filmed in the style of a documentary (docudrama), depicts heartbreaking scenes of a lovable and relatable family torn apart due to unfortunate circumstances of poverty and neglect from the government (film screening).
This docudrama created huge waves after first being produced. The movie inspired people to look into the benefits and welfare system of Britain and people cried out for a change in the policies for those in the deepest depths of poverty (Biressi & Nunn, 2005). This influential movie, due to its profound societal effect, played a large role in the future production of many modern day reality shows. According to Biressi and Nunn’s excerpt, Cathy Comes Home forever changed the drama reality television genre by turning TV towards the subject of “dramatized reality” and showing exaggerated storylines of ordinary people centered around relatable societal issues common to the time period. This change from classic drama to a more realistic type of television required a change in camera perspective; one where it felt like the audience was really following along with the actors (Biressi & Nunn, 2005).
This style of drama has led to the development of modern day reality TV, which uses hand-held cameras in mostly natural environments to depict people’s normal lives, just like the filming of Cathy Come Home. The modern day reality TV show Benefits Street, is one particular show that has been influenced by the docudrama. In Benefits Street, a TV crew films the lives of the people of Bakers Street, a well-known poverty stricken avenue featuring a wide variety of families (film screening). This reality TV show depicts a lot of similarities to Cathy Come Home. The show is filmed also in a documentary-like fashion, with camera crews following people in their natural homes, and it also shows viewers the reality of poverty and how relative it is in modern-day society. Cathy Come Home has inspired a new generation of reality television that relies on the use of realism and central societal problems to create a powerful and very telling narrative.
Biressi & Nunn, 2005, Class Excerpt on AUT Online
Film Screenings of Cathy Come Home & Benefits Street were viewed in class
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ReplyDeleteInteresting development of ideas here. Well thought out.
DeleteQuestion 2:
ReplyDeleteThere are many ways that Hill, (2005) defines reality TV. He states that reality TV if often made up of non-professional actors, unscripted dialogue, surveillance footage, handheld cameras and being able to see the scenes unfold as they are happening in front of the camera. There are many examples that have come and gone from our TV screens that fit into the genre of Reality TV. One born every minute is a good example of this, this show is the definition of reality TV as babies usually choose their own pace and do whatever they like when it comes time to be born. In this show you may get a lot of what Hill, (2005) describes, such as the use of hand held cameras, from home footage that was shot before the parents arrived at the hospital to surveillance footage as they come into the hospital, the viewers also get their share of unscripted dialogue as the mothers usually aren’t too worried about what they’re talking about while they’re trying to give birth to a baby.
Over time reality TV has moved from shows like One born every minute and Trauma: Life in the E.R to shows that have become very popular, like Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Real Housewives. These shows are often less spontaneous and they are often questioned over the authenticity of being reality TV. These shows are often just made up of drama and viewers are just watching people living the high life while getting paid to show us what they’re life is ‘really’ like. These kinds of shows often make people wonder if Reality TV is really still a thing, as The Real Housewives has had many spinoffs, including a New Zealand version which wasn’t very well received by New Zealanders.
Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and
Popular Factual Television. (pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.
Hill (2005) believes that reality television can be defined by it's popularity and use of non-professional actors, unscripted dialogue, surveillance footage and seeing events unfold as they are happening in front of the camera. He also believes that "television often cannibalizes itself, feeding off successful genres and formats in order to create new hybrid programs." This belief is shared by many scholars who engage with this content and can be evidently seen in the television show Married at First Sight.
ReplyDeleteMarried at First Sight is a New Zealand reproduction of the popular reality television show of the same name that was conceived in Denmark. The show's premise traveled through Europe to England to across the waters in America then to the Pacific where it unfolded in Australia and recently hit the shores of New Zealand. The program follows a group of couples who marry one another when they meet at the altar and has garnered a lot of attention yet also success in the various countries they film. In relation to Hill's beliefs, Married At First Sight is a popular reality television show that demonstrates unscripted dialogue and surveillance footage simultaneously when filming the couples journey and as such, you see events unfold as they're happening. In the first episodes of a season, the program introduces seemingly normal, average people who therefore act as Hill's non-professional actors. An interesting note is how large a success the show is and how it can be linked to other marriage-related television programs such as Say Yes To The Dress, The Bachelor, Bridezillas and Four Weddings. These shows are incredibly popular and all in some way relate to weddings which statistically speaking draw numbers. In this way, like Hill suggests, television is 'cannibalizing' itself in that it's generally regurgitating the same content in different wrapping paper.
References:
Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.