11/11/2015

What A Mockumentary Really Is

By Mattie Knight


In a nutshell, mockumentaries are actually fictional documentaries that would mock a certain issue or a certain event. A mockumentary is actually a parody that would make use of a fictional setting and characters to depict an existing issue. These types of shows are actually quite popular because they would offer viewers a fresh perspective on certain issues unlike what regular documentaries would usually show.

Now for those who are not familiar with this type of show, there are actually two kinds that exist. These two types would be the comedic type which is the most common and the dramatic one. These are the only two kinds of mockumentaries one can see on television.

Now the first type, which happens to be the more common and the more popular one, is the comedic type which is very appealing among viewers because it is easy to watch and very light. Now the very essence of the comedic types would be to make something appear serious but actually funny at the same time with unintentional funny actions and dialogues. Since it is a sort of documentary, then it has to be made as realistically as possible without the laugh tracks and such.

The second type which is the drama type is actually a more serious one that would usually try to depict some sort of message. This would also show a certain issue or a story of a person with a lot of dramatization just like a movie except that it is presented to look like it is real. Of course the setting, characters, and story plot are all fictional.

Now exactly like in documentaries, these mockumentaries would also have a specific time line that they would follow when showing the events of the film. The same would go for the mockumentaries that would be showcasing the life of a person and the events in his life. There is a sequence that should be followed so that it will look as realistic as possible.

These types of documentaries only really popularized in the eighties when director Rob Reiner who directed This Is Spinal Tap coined the term in an interview. From there, these kinds of shows took off in terms of popularity with a lot of people enjoying these types of shows. Some of which even made their way to the cinemas in some countries and in some regions.

In the comedy genre of mockumentaries, one of the most popular ones would be Borat, Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Other than that, there would also be Bruno which is an extremely funny documentary about a gay man who is out of the closet. Of course there are still many more than one can find as well.

In the drama section, there would be none other than the popular Blair Witch Project which is a horror documentary. After that, many others followed like the The Last Exorcism and Paranormal Activity. There would also be action themed films like Cloverfield and Into the Storm.




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