Documentaries REALITY

Reality TV

A media genre that hazes fact and fiction and realism is reality TV. Reality TV is hard to define as it is a hybrid genre that is continually

shifting and developing. It was initially understood to present everyday life as entertainment;

however, most current shows place participants in highly constructed situations. Reality TV now involves presenting a range of very structured scenarios, heavily edited to provide audience entertainment.

The Only Way is Essex

This is a reality TV show that airs on ITV’s ‘ITVBe’ about a group of friends living in Essex. The producers of the show base it on the participants real life however explain at the beginning of the show that there are elements that have been set up for entertainment.

The Only Way is Essex

Throughout the show producers use a variety of camera angles and shots to create entertainment for the audience.Here they use an establishing shot to set the scene of the gym. As the males in the show are all ‘Essex lads’ who take care of their image and appearance this is where you would expect to see them in their free time. Therefore, reality of the show is expressed.

The Only Way Essex

Here they use a long shot to display Chloe leaving a night club. This allows the audience to see her outfit – one of the main reasons young girls watch the show is to see the latest outfits and trends as many of the female participants are fashion icons in magazines and social media. Also the fact that she is leaving the club adds the reality element as you can see her on a normal night out like normal people partake in.