Page 208 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

PRODUCTION ELEMENTS

Framing/Editing

Voyeur. One of the defining features of reality shows is the liberal
use of hand-held cameras, primarily during the voyeur sections. The
audience perceives the jumpiness and quick response of the hand-held
look to be an integral part of the “real-life” experience. The framing of
this section tends to be a bit erratic, again in an effort to heighten the
perception that we are watching real life as it unfolds. The editing tends
to be clean jump cuts; very little smooth transitioning-like fades are dis-
solves. There are also a lot of reaction shots cut into the action. When
one subject does something, it is not unusual to get reaction shots from
two or more other subjects.

Narration/Diary. The narrations are shot and edited so that the subject
is talking directly to the viewer. The subject is often framed so that the
viewer is directed to the subject’s eyes. When the subject is just talking
about the action or helping move the narrative with background infor-
mation, he or she tends to be shot in close-up or medium shots. When
the subject is doing a more emotional diary, the shots are usually close-
ups or extreme close-ups. There is generally no editing done during the
narration/diary sections as they typically just run as shot.

Establishing Transitions. The transition sections contain multiple
images that are selected to define the transitions in the action. The es-
tablishing transitions are often aerial or crane shots that show the scenes
from above. They are nearly always long or extreme long shots that help
the viewer establish where the action fits into the larger surroundings.
Identifying signs, locations, people, and places are framed for emphasis.
In The Apprentice the aerial shots of Manhattan often include an in-air
shot of the Trump helicopter. The transitional montage at the beginning
of Real World includes aerial footage of Austin along with a colorful
“Welcome to Austin” billboard and then ends with a long exterior shot of
the house where the subjects live. Colonial House transitions with shots
of the large expanses of woods, ocean, and fields that surround the tiny
colony and its handmade shelters.
Conclusion

Most genres on television rely on scriptwriters, actors, and directors
to anchor the show, while the production elements are simply used to

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