Reality Television Fact is stranger then fiction

Overview of Presentation 0 The presentation will explore the following elements: 0 Defining Reality Television 0 History of Reality Television 0 How does Reality Television work? 0 Examples of reality television 0 Ratings of Reality Television 0 Issues related to this topic 0 Interesting case study – Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns 0 What would Jesus say? Exploring the issues through the Gospel perspective

Defining Reality Television 0 A reality television program is defined as a program where ordinary people are continuously filmed, designed to be entertaining rather than informative. (Oxford Dictionary) 0 Reality TV is unscripted programming doesn’t employ actors and focuses on filming real situations. (Macmillian dictionary) 0 Reality based television is a genre of television programming that documents unscripted situations and actual occurrences. 0 Television programs focusing on members of the public living in conditions specifically by the program makers (Collins dictionary)

ACMA’s Definition 0 The ACMA identifies the following as key characteristics in defining reality television: 0 There is an emphasis on factual, unscripted content 0 Real people are used in the show 0 The show portrays unscripted interactions between ordinary people 0 There is a competitive or game show element which involves people involved competing against one another. 0 The situation or environment is controlled by producers, and can be highly manipulated. 0 The editing of ‘live’ footage to enhance or create story lines.

History of Reality Television 0 Has been apart of Television since the 1940s in Australia. 0 Original ‘unscripted’ television shows included formats such as panels, game shows, documentaries and home and lifestyle shows. 0 The first show to put ordinary people in a contrived situation was aired in 1948; Candid Camera 0 In the 1960s and 1970s series following the lives of ordinary people were introduced, for example Seven Up! 0 In 1973, An American Family, saw the introduction of cameras into peoples homes.

0 1989, saw the first season of COPS to be introduced in the American marketplace, seeing the introduction of hand-held cameras following Police. 0 In the Australian context, it wasn’t until 1992 when the first reality television show following ordinary people was introduced, Sylvania Waters. 0 The Real World, in 1992 introduced the concept of placing a number of individuals in a house and watching what emerges.

Types & Examples 0 Watching People live or work 0 Self-improvement/home-improvement 0 Competition 0 Competition in a special living situation

Understanding how reality TV works…. 0 The term unscripted is false. 0 Writers will create formats, cast people based on character traits, edit scenes to tell a story worth watching 0 RULES of Reality TV writing: 0 Planned story vs. followed story 0 Less is more 0 The rules of storytelling don’t change 0 Writing is producing

Reality TV ratings Australia… 0 13 of the top 20 events in 2013 could be defined as reality TV show of the top 20 events in 2014 could be defined as reality TV shows. 0 Interesting to note that American networks are reducing their commitments to Reality television shows whereas Australian networks are committing more of their scheduling hours to reality television.

Negative Issues 0 The negative impact reality TV is having on our youth: There are great number of concerns held by many that reality televisions presents a number of issues and concerning messages to the youth of today. Such issues include: 0 Materialistic and consumerism values are promoted 0 Encouragement of drugs and alcohol abuse. 0 Exploitation of young people 0 Promoting promiscuity

Positive Influences of Reality Television 0 Reality television as an educator 0 Inspiration for lifestyle changes 0 Opening societies views on particular issues

Through the lens of the Gospels….. At this point of the investigation it is relevant for students to explore the issue from the viewpoint of Catholic Ethics. Key conclusions can be made about Reality Television NOT being supportive or representative of Gospel values such as Love, dignity of the human person, respect for all and inclusiveness.

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