A Note on Mockumentaries

When I think about the types of documentaries that catch my eye, I tend to be more attracted to the reflexive documentary that is centered around observational or participatory footage. Some of my favorite documentaries include We Were Here and Whores’ Glory – both on Netflix and both have a combination of interviews and observatory filming. I always enjoy documentaries because, if done well, they are an excellent way to deliver a message and use multiple forms of media from audio, photography, to film. I am very interested in the way that television has adopted the documentary format to have many, many successful television shows. The idea of the mockumentary really kicked off with The Office.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW5kB906mh8 - The Office compilation

What is interesting about The Office is how they go back and forth acknowledging the cameramen. One of the leading male characters, Jim, is consistently making faces at the camera, while almost every character has a 1:1 talking to the camera. The difference is that there is no cameraman and the people behind the scenes do not tend to interact with the people in front of the camera until the very end of the series. The camera follows the actors and responds to supposedly unexpected reactions by the characters even though the entire show is scripted. The major difference between The Office mockumentary television show and real documentaries is that there is no diegetic sound, which, at times, can greatly impact the message. At times, it almost seems like the cameraman is sneaking peeks at the characters making the audience feel like they are really getting something out of the show besides entertainment.

Following The Office came Parks and Recreation, which adheres to the same mockumentary style but happens to look more polished and less “raw” because of its higher quality video. Of course, once The Office grew up into the age of high definition, it looked more professional, as well.

In high school I discovered a mockumentary Internet series called Dorm Life that one could argue is the evolved version of a mockumentary television series and a true form of intermedia. Like The Office and Parks and Recreation, Dorm Life is also scripted. What is interesting to me is how people assume that documentaries are not scripted and unedited and that is what makes it so truthful and raw.

http://www.dorm-life.com/episode101.php

As the reading talked about, in order to get somebody’s moving message as they walked down the streets of their childhood town, the documentarians needed to practice with the subject beforehand not to mention get all of their equipment in order. I am simply fascinated by how society comes up with stereotypes and superficialities for forms of media and once these preconceived notions are obliterated, it opens up the possibility of comparing and contrasting media as well as using them together.