Page 188 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

PRODUCTION ELEMENTS

Editing

Editing refers to the selection and arrangement of information. Editing
decisions send messages regarding the significance of content. Editing
includes the following:

• Inclusion and omission of information
• Arrangement of information
• The sequence in which information is presented
• Temporal and spatial inferences (connections in time and space)

Reality shows rely heavily on editing, replacing formal scripts. First,
all of the activities are captured on video; later, the editors construct a
storyline by selecting dramatic moments from the raw footage. Thus,
what is included and omitted from the narrative shapes the “reality” of
the program. Tony DiSanto, an executive producer of Laguna Beach, ex-
plains, “These are the real kids. The things they’re saying are unscripted;
it’s what goes on in their lives. What we chose to show or not show is
where we are editorializing. 7
These editing decisions can also raise ethical questions about how
much “reality” to include in reality shows. During a 2005 episode of
MTV’s Real World, the camera focused on one of the characters, Danny,
as he was notified over the phone that his mother had died. Cameras
rolled in tight to catch Danny’s emotional reaction, as he broke down
and cried. “I should have been home,” he sobbed. Producer Jonathan
8
Murray defended the decision to include this personal moment in the
final production: “Real World has always had a knack for creating buzz
somehow, and this season it seems to be Danny’s mother’s death. It’s a
story we could have never predicted.” 9
Editors often assemble footage that establish relationships, such as ro-
mances and rivalries. In addition, reality shows create heroes and villains
by selecting the video footage that displays these qualities. Alessandra
Stanley points out that “all reality shows edit selectively for effect; on
‘The Apprentice,’ the unpleasant Omarosa was turned into a corporate
version of Glenn Close in ‘Fatal Attraction.’” 10
Indeed, Rob Baker and Amber Brkich of Amazing Race, who were
depicted as “reality television’s premiere villains” blamed the producers
for editing them into evil, one-dimensional characters. 11
In addition, information is sometimes taken out of context to add to

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