Genre Theory

Genre theory from Andy Wallis

Narrative and essay planning for section 1b from hasnmedia

Genre for My Short Film

I have decided to create a 'mockumentary' for my short film. A mockumentary is a television programme or film which takes the form of a serious documentary in order to satirise its subject.

I am using the three rules outlined by A.O. Scott on Spinal Tap:

" 1. Choose a subject that is almost already a parody of itself.
2. The essence of stupidity can only be conveyed through the disciplined application of intelligence.
3. Embrace the thing you’re making fun of with the utmost commitment and sincerity. "

I'm inspired heavily by the style of filming used in The Office (US). The camera isn't fixed on a tripod, and the zooms used are freehand.

How to Make a Good Mockumentary

1. Don’t be afraid of the boring subtleties of your source material (What We Do In The Shadows)

The filmmakers behind this year’s brilliant What We Do In The Shadows don’t ignore either word in vampire mockumentary: The jokes are both vampire- and reality-show based, and mixing those two worlds proves hilarious. It’s the attention to detail that sells Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s film, with each playing a long-dead vampire trying to make it in the modern world. Waititi is the movie’s secret weapon: As the 379-year-old Viago, he captures the nervous earnestness of the typical documentary subject, trying to impress whoever’s behind the camera with a childlike goofiness—even as he’s, you know, stalking human prey. It’s the little grace notes that take the film’s iffy premise and make something fantastic from it.

The term mockumentary, now part of the film community lexicon, first entered general usage after the success of "This is Spinal Tap," a deadpan documentary about a fictional rock group. Since the release of that film, the mockumentary has become a recognized genre, and spawned mainstream films like "Borat" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous."

• Learn all you can about the subject of your film. If your mockumentary concerns kayakers in Finland, read all you can about Finnish culture and kayaking. Then determine what's funny or odd about it and make fun of it in your screenplay.
• Develop a dry sense of humor. To succeed, a mockumentary must be subtle and star-convincing, deadpan actors. Write your film in a way that it leaves an uninformed viewer wondering if they're watching a real documentary.
• Make people root for you main characters. People were drawn to the clueless characters in "Borat" and "Spinal Tap" because of their likability quotients. Keep you characters dim but affable. Allow the occasional exaggerated bad guy to make people boo, hiss and laugh.
• Watch as many famous mockumentaries as you can to learn pacing. The beauty contest spoof "Drop Dead Gorgeous," political satire "Bob Roberts" and folk music mockumentary "A Mighty Wind" will give you ideas on how to write your script.
• Keep an authoritative tone, both in dialog and storyline. Your characters should never be in on the joke. The words and settings must seem totally natural.