According to Hill (2005) there are different techniques that are used in association with reality TV such as non-professional actors, unscripted dialogue, surveillance footage, hand-held cameras and seeing events unfold as they are happening on film. Even though these techniques are used to some extent such as hand-held camera techniques, surveillance footage and non-professional actors in some reality shows. For example the Jerry Springer show uses a hand-held camera technique, Big Brother uses surveillance on the people living in the big brother house and non-professional actors are used in recent reality shows such as Jersey Shore, Master Chef and The Kardashians. However the technique of unscripted dialogue and seeing events unfold as they happen on film are becoming less realistic. For example many reality TV shows such as Jeremy Kyle, Survivor and The Hills are scripted. This creates more drama within the shows which in turn increases the rating of the show. Events are also now preplanned to occur. This happens frequently in The Kardashians when the mother in the show (Kris Jenner) is shown "secretively" sending a text message to her previous "lover" while she is doing this she is being filmed. This then goes on to cause drama within the family, however a week later the family are back to normal and there are no consequences from sending the text message. Usually is this sort of behavior were to occur it would not be filmed so that viewers and Kris's family would find out as if this was really happening it would not run as smoothly as it did on the TV show.
Hills (2005) also states that there is no one definition of reality TV. This is because the reality genre is made up of a number of different television genres such as drama, documentary and lifestyle. These genres have merged together to to create a number of different genres that fall under reality TV. Cathy Come Home also had a major influence on reality TV. Ken Loache directed Cathy Come Home in 1966 and fused together drama and documentary style, this was a huge break through in reality television and many people could relate to the reality that Cathy Come Home portrays, even 50 years later i can relate to Cathy Come Home and found it still seemed extremely real and saddening to me. I feel as though Laoche captured the reality of homelessness, poverty and a family falling apart extremely well. He also portrays hope throughout the film through the relationships that the actors make, when something is looking up for the family reality takes over and the deal falls through. Loache used techniques such a non-proffesional actors, a hand held camera, black and white film and long still shots which constructs the passing of time. He takes the everyday lives of Cathy and Reg who are ordinary people and shows the reality of homelessness in England. This moved the consciousness of the nation and had a major influence on future reality TV such as Big Brother. Big Brother takes every day lives of ordinary people but places them into a home and watches how they interact with one another, the influence this had form Cathy Come Home was the use of surviellence and interviews that is shown as a voice over in Cathy Come Home.
Finally Hill (3005) believes that if there is one defining characteristic that makes up reality TV is to let the viewers see for themselves. Even though many reality shows are now set up and scripted they still let viewers into their life and show there personalities on screen. This allows the viewers to see for themselves the lifestyle that these actors have such as the Kardashians. The way certain actors react the the situations that they are put in fear factor and survivor do this. I find it really fascinating the amount of demand reality TV gets and how some shows such as True Life have been on TV since 1998 and new seasons are still being created. I also enjoy watching some reality television such as Survivor as i really enjoy the competition of the show and find myself wanting to watch more due to the cliff hanger that the show creates, it leaves me wanting to watch more.
Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television.
(pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.
I definitely agree with you on reality shows becoming scripted. Shows that are scripted is such guilty pleasures for viewers, especially when you know that you'll be getting a cheap thrill out of it. Scripted reality programmes are entertaining, but when it's unscripted it's that bit better; because you know it's not fake. I definitely find The Kardashians the most obviously scripted out of all shows. You're right, there would be more drama escalating from that "secret text message". But since it's scripted, it's pretty much for the sake of ratings. Thanks for your insight, Emily!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, a good analysis of Hills reality TV. I think you're right about how scripted shows bring alot of drama,in order to boost viewer ratings. I think that shows such as Keeping up with the Kardashians is a joke in itself as many 'dramas' that happen within the show are things that happen in reality, the difference being is that in a show like Keeping up with the Kardashians it is normal and is acceptable and they continue on like it's a walk in the park, whereas in reality that isn't the case. I agree with you in when you state that reality is defined to let viewers see for themselves, but are we viewing these shows with the notion that it is good to watch or should we be questioning whether the story lines portrayed should be taken more seriously. Thanks for a good insight into your post :)