Approaches to Ensure the Audiences Enjoy the Product - Essay Example

Reality Television Name Institution Name Date Filmmakers employ different approaches to ensuring the audiences enjoy the product. Different filmmakers are able to develop different content depending on the target audiences, and the filmmakers use different techniques and tools to fulfill the requirement. Some of the content developed ranges from documentary to reality TV. Different authors have reviewed numerous contents of the films and strategies of the filmmakers and have arrived at different conclusions. Murray and Poniewozik are an example of these authors. Poniewozik’s 2006 and Murray’s 2003 articles present different views on reality TV. The articles were written at different periods meaning the content of one of the articles may have been influenced by time. Are the two articles similar or one of the articles clarifies or presents ideas on the shortcoming of the other article? Does the views presented by Murray valid on reality TV. Are there some fundamentals that both articles share? These are some of the common questions asked when reviewing the articles. The paper discusses the commonalities and differences between Murray’s and Poniewozik articles. In Poniewozik and Murray articles, the content presents different perspectives when it comes to reality TV. Sometimes, both the authors complement each other while in other times; Poniewozik discredits Murray article. Poniewozik (2006) discredits the aspects of reality TV, and it may be attributed in the way the information is collected and dispensed. For example, in the Dating Experiment, one of the female participants loved Adam Sandler but the information was removed. It shows the aspect of “reality” does not exist or partly exist depending on the producers. On the other hand, Murray (2003) appreciates the “reality” after viewing some of the episodes such as the Big Brother. Murray (2003) praises the “reality” of reality TV because of unfiltered realism and the impact of the programs on the audiences. Even though Murray (2003) had negative views on reality TV, his attributed was changed because of the content in The Bachelor. According to Murray (2003) regarding reality TV, the content is captured accurately, and it shows the raw emotion of humans; it also makes audiences enjoy the entire experience. Murray’s premise is in comparison to the Hollywood film, which alters most of the information. Murray (2003) categorically says, regarding weaknesses of Hollywood film, “Filmmakers, by and large, have lost the ability to tell stories… audiences have become distanced from the action and no longer see films as believable or real. When a character is being sad, they do not react to a sad person; they react to an actor attempting to play sad. Nothing feels real”. The above blockquote according to Murray (2003) shows the shortcomings of producers and the expectations of the audiences. Most of the Hollywood films are preplanned, and episodes are drafted with the purpose of fulfilling a given requirement. To address the shortcoming of the “Hollywood Films”, the solution is the emphasis of reality TV. Even though Murray (2003) saw the manipulation of the Big Brother and The Block, he acknowledges the problem but Murray says it is better compared to Hollywood films. The basis of the argument is the emotional aspect that can be associated with the reality TV. Murray says the basis of most of the reality TV is the emotional ability and can engage and create a conversation with different audiences. These sentiments and views are different when it comes to Poniewozik analysis. Poniewozik (2006) is critical of the aspect of ‘reality’ on the reality TV. Poniewozik (2006) is able to highlight numerous examples of instances in which the aspect of ‘reality’ is not integrated into the film. Poniewozik (2006) reviews numerous complaints, and says: “Those staff members--who create story lines, coach interview answers and cobble together video--say their work amounts to writing, and they are suing their networks and production companies, arguing that they deserve to be covered by the Writers Guild of America” The quote shows that most of information shown on reality TV is manipulated, scripted and edited. Poniewozik (2006) acknowledges that most of the reality TV producers are not accredited writers, but the manipulating of the raw footage edges reality TV to Hollywood film. Poniewozik (2006) calls the approach ‘Frankenbiting’ where the raw footage is manipulated to address a desired storyline. Some of the participants in the reality TV have presented their arguments saying some of the information presented to the audiences is different to what actually happened. Some of these strategies elevate the position of the participants while others negate the contribution of the participants. A good example of reality TV tending towards fitting a narrative is the Laguna Beach reality program. The producers wanted to create a love triangle conflict even though the participants, Stephen, and LC, were real life friends. The raw footage was edited, and it showed that Kristin, LC’s friend was an ingredient in the love triangle. Such narratives and instances illustrate that the producers of reality TV are writers since the narrative already exist. The editing and manipulating to conform to the narrative has created animosity resulting in some of the staff seeking to be covered by the umbrella association. This further shows the acknowledgment of the lack of ‘real’ in reality TV. The complaints and views are based on the extensive manipulation of the information to an extent; it is similar to the Hollywood film. These examples show the differences in Murray views from Poniewozik. Even though the periods in which the articles were written are different, Murray’s views are negated by the Poniewozik’s views. Murray article can have important information on reality TV because, in 2003, the idea of reality TV was been embraced, and participants/staffs had not complained. Therefore, the complaints were minimal or did not exist, which is different from the Poniewozik period in which information about manipulation existed. Murray praised the aspect of emotions in reality TV, but Poniewozik (2006) show most of the information is manipulated or scripted. The advancement in technology and creativity of the producers, it is possible to manipulate the information, commentary and behaviors with the purpose of developing a desired narrative, without incorporating the aspect of ‘reality’. According to Klassen (2014), she witnessed a first-hand fake experience of reality TV. She was given a narration and story line that she had to adhere, which is different from aspects of reality TV. Riley (2015) appreciates the emotional attachments of reality TV since it makes audiences continue watching and discussing the series. She presents the example of Real Housewives and The Biggest Loser, and she discusses how participates and storyline affects the participants. Riley (2015) employ a similar approach to Klassen (2014) when they discuss reality TV, without the aspect of ‘reality’. Kizzia (2015) supports Poniewozik’s views through stating scripts are common in Los Angeles, and the ‘real’ does not exist in reality. These are examples of different views that are presented by modern authors/articles. It shows that Poniewozik’s views hold some credence when it comes to reality TV. Murray sentiments on reality TV should be noted. For example, Murray appreciates the aspect of “ordinary” participants in reality TV. It is different when it comes to other films because professional performers are involved. The traditional expectation of a film is changed when viewed from reality TV perspectives (Falzone, 2013). It creates emotion, suspense and is able to intersect across genres. For example, home make based reality programs exist, comedy programs exist, and music based reality programs exist. Reality TV is able to present information to the different audiences easily. An individual can see it as news reporting because of the participants involved. Some of the participants may be elevated, and the elevation can benefit the society because of the emotional vulnerability of the audiences. Reality TV stimulates the intrinsical value and makes people be attached to an aspect of the program. It creates emotional attachments, and it changes from the traditional aspect of traditional films: the scripted and narrative based. In conclusion, both the articles were written during different periods and some of the information contained differs and complements. Murray’s article was written in 2003 when information on reality TV was minimal while Poniewozik’s article was written during a period in which information on reality TV was readily available. Poniewozik appreciates some information from Murray’s article but discredits most because of the script-narrative based approach of nowadays reality TV. Poniewozik presents numerous examples of why ‘reality’ is not on reality TV. Murray can present the aspect of “ordinary people”, who are able to stimulate emotional behaviors. Therefore, Poniewozik can discredit most of Murray’s view but the Poniewozik is able to credit some of the Murray’s arguments. References Falzone, D. (2013). 'Real Housewives' reportedly faked scenes: Is anything on reality TV real? Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/08/30/real-housewives-reportedly-faked-scenes-is-anything-on-reality-tv-real/ Kizzia , T. (2015). The reality is there's plenty of fake TV shows in Alaska. LA Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0226-kizzia-alaska-reality-tv-20150226-story.html Klassen, A. (2014). I was on reality TV: Behind the scenes secrets of faking real life. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bustle/i-was-on-reality-tv-faking-real-life_b_4823714.html Murray, S. (2003). The positives of reality. The Age. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/14/1065917408538.html Poniewozik, J. (2006). How reality fakes it. Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1154194,00.html Riley, N. (2015). Reality TV torture: inflicting horror to fake drama. New York Post. Retrieved from http://nypost.com/2015/02/01/reality-tv-torture-inflicting-horror-to-fake-drama/ Read More