Task One - Types of factual programming
Docusoap
A docusoap is a factual programme that focuses on the life of real people or people in their workplace. A docusoap is a documentary which features soap opera elements. It is also a form of a reality show as it involves real people doing day to day things, it is unscripted. Some docusoaps focus on typical day to day business of the subjects of the programme, whereas, some focus on interpersonal relationships and potential drama that may arise. The techniques used in docusoaps are interviews; voice of god which comments on the subjects, dramatic reconstructions, editing that heightens suspense and storylines which are followed from one week to the next. In docusoaps the interviews included very rarely show the interviewer.
Magazine shows
Magazine shows are either a television programme or radio programme. The show is made up of news stories, reports, documentaries, interviews, drama, graphics and archive footage. Magazine shows are more informative than entertaining. Magazine shows are regularly scheduled; they consist of several short segments in which subjects of current interest are spoken about in detail.
Breakfast shows
Breakfast shows are broadcasted early in the morning. They focus on many aspects for example news, reports, reality, lives of celebrities, sports highlights and weather. They are broadcasted live in the morning, usually between the hours of 6am to 10am. They are often hosted by a small team, usually a male and female working together. Breakfast shows are targeted at an audience of people who are getting ready for school and work.
Mockumentary
Mockumetaries are films or television programmes; they are set out as a serious documentary about a particular topic but instead make jokes about the topic and make it look silly. Most interviews in mockumentaries are not serious; the reactions shots of the interviewers are edited at a later date. Mockumentaries present fictitious events as If they are realistic. The humour in a mockumentary arises from dialogue or visuals. Mockumentaries include voice overs, archive footage, photographs and interviews from eye witnesses or experts. Mockumentaries often provoke controversy.
Documentary
A documentary is a film or television programme which focuses on real people and real life events. Documentaries are factual and try to present reality without is becoming a narrative or fictional. Documentaries are not scripted and people in a documentary are not actors. Documentaries include voice over narration, photographs, interviews, archive footage.
Chat shows
Chat shows are television programmes or radio programmes which focus on celebrities. The celebrities usually talk about themselves, their life and their work. There is usually one person or a group of people discussing various topics led by the chat show host/hosts. Guests consist of a person or group of people who have experience which relates to the main topic being discussed on that particular episode.
Reality TV shows
Reality TV shows are television programmes which do not use professional actors but usually focus on real life events and situations that involve ordinary people. Reality TV shows are unscripted and sometimes present humorous situations. Reality TV shows usually present information that portrays a highly influenced day to day life in order to attract audience viewers. Participants are sometimes put in exotic locations or strange situations, they are told to act a certain way by story editors. Speech can sometimes be manipulated and to look as if that is what they are like in reality by using editing techniques. Participants are asked to ignore the cameras and to behave naturally.
Game show
A game show is a television programme that involves people playing games and answering questions in order to win prizes. Game shows include contestants, television personalities and celebrities; they sometimes play as part of a team and play the game to win. Contestants are sometimes picked out from the group of public applicants. Game shows have the purpose of entertainment.
Infotainment
Ofcom
