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- 2. My media projectis going to be a half hour mockumentary based on gang crime in Canford Heath. The three similar products I have chosen to analyse are: Almost Royal An Idiot Abroad People Just Do Nothing These three programmes have aired on different channels, have greatly contrasting budgets, and were filmed in different countries. They all however mockumentaries and rely on comedy for entertainment value.
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- 4. Almost Royalwas a seven episode mockumentary series which aired on BBC America in 2014. It followed two comedians tour America, claiming to be British Aristocrats George and Poppy Carlton, whose position in line to the throne changes in each episode but is always above 50th. The two actors Ed Gamble and Amy Hoggart improvised all their lines except for the pre-recorded introduction at the start of each episode. They also claimed they were inspired by ‘Borat’ yet wanted to target the American Culture from an “overly British view”. The show has been renewed for a second series of eight episodes despite receiving generally unfavourable reviews from critics.
- 5. There isalways the same two minute introduction and title sequence, with their backstory being narrated as you see their dying Father request them to visit his beloved America. Each episode lasts for about 23 minutes and features the two comedians visiting different states such as Boston, New York and Texas. They will usually visit several cities or towns in each episode, going to a festival or a getting hands on with their culture. For example, with the picture on the right, they are at a civil war re-enactment.
- 6. The twocomedians will ‘unwillingly’ partake with their American counterparts in local events such as riding a rodeo and going to a shooting range. They make several one liners to show they misunderstanding and cultural barrier. They then pull seriously dumfounded faces and manage to prevent themselves from falling about laughing. Costumes and Props George always wears a 2 piece tailored suit, often with a smart coat or jacket over the top. Poppy wears an assortment of expensive designer dresses, sometimes with a smart jacket. They continuously flaunt jewellery like necklaces, brooches and watches to show off their ‘royalty’. The running joke is them carrying a vase with their Fathers’ ashes with them at all times
- 7. Executive producer: CliveTulloh Producer: Seamus Murphy-Mitchell Lighting The lighting is always natural as most the scenes are filmed outdoors whilst any indoor scenes are during the day with sunlight or room lights. The time of day depends on what event they’re attending. For example in the picture (left), they are at an evening baseball game. Camerawork There is only one camera used for filming which obviously limits the variety of shots within each episode. Most the shots are close ups, medium or over the shoulder shots. This is also due to the fact that both the comedy and purpose stems from the interaction between at least three people (i.e. the presenters and at least one other person)
- 8. Sky 1: 2010- 2012
- 9. An IdiotAbroad has been a television phenomenon and is currently into its third series, with a spin off show, Karl Pilkington The moaning of life about to start a second series. The show stars Karl Pilkington traveling the world and exploring different cultures. It is however his very negative persona and unforgettable comments that make this show stand out. The success of the series has led to it being nominated and winning many television awards as well as critical success from critics and viewers. Karl Pilkington himself has been lauded the ‘TV phenomenon of the 21st century’. He had initially been the producer for Ricky and Stephens radio show on XFM. It was from a few segments and comments he made on air that launched him into the public eye. The more involved he got, the more Ricky, Stephen and the audience loved him
- 10. Each episodeis 60 minutes long with the first series consisting of 8 episodes. The start of every episode consists of Karl being brought into Ricky and Stephens office to be told where he is going next. After some funny travel advice and a hilarious disapproving response from Karl, he heads off to the airport, always packing his Pickled Onion Monster Munch. Because Pilkington has no interest in global travel, Merchant and Gervais make him travel the world whilst they monitor his progress with skype and phone calls. Throughout each episode, Ricky and Stephen will phone or leave Karl a voicemail telling him to meet up with a local or tor guide who will welcome them into their home and show him their culture. Eventually towards the end of the episode, Karl will get to the wonder and obviously, will be far from impressed.
- 11. The ideafor the show came from Sky wanting to create a new travel documentary and Ricky and Steven wanting to put Karl into his own prime time TV show. Sky liked what they saw and branded it as a travel mockumentary, commissioning the first series to air in 2010. Ricky Gervais describes the show in the series 1 intro as “The most expensive practical joke I’ve ever been involved in”. PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION Me & You Productions (season 3-) British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) RiSK Productions (season 2-) Science Channel (2011-) Sky Travel Channel (2015)
- 12. Karl isfollowed round by a production team with one cameraman, boom mic operator, health and safety officer, a producer and a travel guide. His day is often determined by where he is sent by Ricky and Stephen from regular phone calls. Lighting The lighting is always natural as most the scenes are filmed outdoors whilst any indoor scenes are during the day with sunlight or room lights. The time of day depends on what event they’re attending. For example in the picture (left), they are at an evening baseball game. Camerawork Only one camera follows Karl on his journey around the globe however with the budgeting muscle behind them with Sky, there are still a lot of quality stock footage and ariel shots etc. that they have filmed from helicopters and from usually ‘out of bounds’ locations. A lot of camera shots alter during filming to add comedic value such as a sudden close up, slow zoom out or a high angle shot.
- 13. Youtube / BBCthree: 2010 - present
- 14. People justdo nothing originally started as a YouTube series in 2010, although it struggled for views, the popularity eventually grew and the BBC commissioned a pilot episode in 2012. A four part series launched in mid 2014 and was followed by a 5 episode series a year later. The series follows the producers and DJs for a pirate radio show, Kurupt FM. It was the first BBC Three programme to premier exclusively on the iplayer.
- 15. Each episoderuns for approx. 30 minutes The first scene is always the boys during a segment or playing music on their radio in one of their council apartments. Very often there is a scene in which the camera is in one of their homes and sees the family getting ready for school and work as the Dad talks to the camera explaining family life. As the main story unfolds, the main characters are interviewed in- between often in pairs and outside smoking. Each story focuses on one of their characters and their background or history with episodes on knife crime and debt.
- 16. Executive producer: AshAtalla Producer: Jon Petrie Location: Brentford and London Production company: Roughcut Like the other similar products, only one camera follows the gang around, however with People Just Do Nothing, they still have a huge variety of shots ranging from extreme long shots to POV and handheld. The budget for the series is relatively small as most the props are already owned by the actors who had used them for YouTube videos beforehand. The costumes for the main cast are always tracksuits and hoodies with Nike or NY baseball caps. Other characters in the series are usually extras who play minor roles who wear sports clothing or basic casual clothing such as jeans and t-shirts.