MED 3600 Presentation on Reality TV vs. Documentary

1. Reality TV VS. Documentary By Mariam, Jude & Jose Professor Mirrer MED 3600 09/28/2011

2. The History Behind Reality and Documentary TV (Reality TV) Why? Cheap Ratings magnets Game Shows -> Documentary TV -> Handheld Camera -> Voyeur (spying) Made popular by: Survivor The Real World/Road Rules Big Brother

3. The History Behind Reality and Documentary TV (Cont.) Origins: Lumiére Brothers Influential pieces of work Nanook of the North Triumph of the Will Style = CinémaVérité (Documentary TV) Why? Information/Education Niche market Less profitable (however) TODAY??? For the masses

4. Citations "Documentary has a lengthy and various history of concern for the historical and social world, the imaging of which in terms of followable and significant action (even for the duration of a scene) continues to pose considerable problems of accessiblity and scopic coherence, despite new technology" (Corner.) “The promise deployed by reality TV is that submission to comprehensive surveillance is not merely a character-building challenge and a “growth” experience, but a way to participate in a medium that has long relegated audience members to the role of passive spectators.” (Andrejevic, 2004)

5. Defining Reality Television The emphasis of reality TV is on intense emotionality, exaggeration and sensationalism. It usually covers irrelevant issues, solely for ratings and entertainment.

6. Examples of Reality TV Shows: Keeping Up with the Kardashians Jersey Shore Real Housewives of New Jersey The Hills Laguna Beach Toddlers & Tiaras Miami Ink The Real World

7. Defining Documentary Documentary is real, it provides statistics and covers issues that are helpful and beneficial. A documentary looks into a culture of people; usually a single culture of common interests for educational purposes.

8. Examples of Documentary TV Shows: Cops True Hollywood Story Good Eats I Love the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s Top Gear Planet Earth Ghost Hunters

9. Reality TV Show Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5A738daA-I&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e99ftZR5usU&feature=related

10. Documentary TV Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNBpe87yEqg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkVBG4h1WUY&feature=related

11. Conclusion Class Activity Instructions: Pick a piece of paper Identify the show as reality or documentary tv based on what you learned in class. Explain your answer.