OUTCOMES All must be able to state and identify some codes and conventions of the reality doc mode. Should write the start of an analysis: how much these codes and conventions apply to example provided. Ext activity: on slideshare find: Reality TV slideshare. Why? G324 Advanced Production Documentary Brief AO1 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates, using terminology appropriately and with accurate and coherent written expression.

Write an analysis of a short reality documentary extract from YouTube: ‘Educating Yorkshire - Mushy - The Journey’ Extract 28 mins ( 1,000 words) Q:How does this documentary conform to the codes and conventions of the reality documentary genre? conform= fit the rules, follow the rules of. Why? Will form part of your research for the Advanced Portfolio. ( 6 analyses are required.)

James Poniewozik (2006) identified 3 techniques used Creators of reality shows have several techniques to turn their raw footage into interesting and compelling storylines. Their goal is to create stories than can be told clearly and are entertaining for viewers. James Poniewozik (2006) identified three techniques used to accomplish this objective: frankenbiting, selective editing, and story fabrication.( making a story up that didn’t happen.)

‘frankenbiting’. Another way to manipulate footage in order to make a more interesting episode is in the editing process. In the world of reality TV, this technique is called ‘frankenbiting’. Jeff Bartsch, a reality-show editor, worked with the series Blind Date. According to Bartsch, if a date was dull, the video editors would run clips out of sequence. If they wanted to make a man seem bored, they would cut from his date talking to a shot where he was just looking around, not caring. (Poniewozik)

Creating Plots Before Shooting While editing scenes are obviously altering reality, viewers think that the essence of the drama being portrayed onscreen is real. Sadly, it is not. Much of the relationships, fights, and even certain lines of dialogue are planned out beforehand in storyboards. (Poniewozik) And the influence of producers, who are never mentioned in the actual TV shows, is usually very extensive. (Deggans) ( 6 mins)

Which of these Reality TV Codes and conventions can you spot? The situations are controlled to create ‘television entertainment’. performed at least partly in living/work environments, rather than on set. Controlled environment, but unpredictable outcome Many situations work on deprivation – participants are deprived of basic things Live but also edited footage placed within a narrative context created primarily for the purpose of entertainment Use of character types e.g the villain such as ‘Nasty Nick’ Bateman who plotted to get other contestants to vote against each other in the first series of Big Brother. Selection of characters to annoy each other and create the equivalent of dramatic conflict Emphasis on outgoing personalities who can be seen by the audience as ‘ordinary’ Use of confessional interviews to gain an insight into character ‘All seeing’ cameras in multi camera set ups Non scripted material Use of voice over narration by a presenter to link short segments and deliver an ongoing narrative

TASK Go to YouTube clip. ‘Educating Yorkshire - Mushy - The Journey’ Identify and list as many reality TV codes and conventions as you can. How many? (10 mins)

Feedback basic list of conventions used Uses real ordinary people Possibly scripted before hand Interviews used Voice over used to tell story to viewer Controlled environment, but unpredictable outcome

Plan analysis of Educating Yorkshire for summer homework. Intro: Research and write a bit about the programme….story, audience etc. Research this online. Media Language: The doc is a reality TV genre. It is a mixture of the observational, expository and reality TV. The documentary shows pre-planning by producers. Camera shots show that shot reverses are used showing the doc has been planned like a drama. Some may have been shot after the interview. A voice over narration is sometimes used to guide the viewer. Mise en scene: School is the location. Activities are set up – such as the visit to the office by Moshi. Narrative: Moshy has a problem to create an enigma and interest the audience ( what will happen?) and cause empathy ( uses and grats.) An intervention by the super teacher ( the helper) will cure Moshy and cause a return to equilibrium ( Todorov) Levi Strauss binaries are used disability/ability. Narrative: Characters are chosen before shooting for narrative interest and audience identification ( uses and grats). Moshy is represented as a character who must search for a cure. Teenagers are often seen as helpless and a problem needing help from an adult. He is seen as ordinary but extraordinary. The children at the school are seen as supportive and represent the message that schools are supportive places. The representation of the teachers is… Channel 4 is an institution that targets…. ?

references Ref: Reality TV: How “Real” is it? how-real-is-it/ The Guardian, showing it will go to any lengths to attract a young audience, has pages of online content dedicated to Reality TV Gill BranstonGill Branston, Roy Stafford The Media Student's Book 5th Edition ‘Documentary and Reality Debates’.Roy Stafford There are 2 copies of this book in the library.