One thing that can be understood is that reality television
is scripted, however, it does not follow a specific script . Producers will
cast individuals that fit the description of the characters they are trying to
portray. Depending if the story is planned or followed it will determine a
reality shows shooting schedule. For instance,
The Real World requires a
longer shooting schedule because you can’t predict when something interesting
is going to happen, therefore it may take weeks of footage to package a
30-minute episode. However, a show such as The
Bachelor or Survivor; generally
requires a few days to package an hour- long show because the story line is
already planned. All these types of shows require characters with big
personalities that has a powerful and intriguing plot that will bring in
viewers every week.
As I read through an article written by an established
writer and producer, David Rupel, he stated that less is more in reality
television because a lot of the raw footage is actually boring. I can totally
believe that because I have watched some reality shows and the entire episode
is boring so I can only imagine the hours of unedited footage. Ugh!
Rupel listed reality shows
down into four simple rules: one being planned vs. followed story, less
is definitely more which was both already explained; and now the rules of
storytelling don’t change. When writers want to capture their audience they
seem to find a twist in the story line.
The last rule he concluded was writing is producing. Anytime
a location is selected, a new cast member is casted, or they select the proper
music it all goes in hand in hand. Reality show was created because mainly
there is a low cost to produce a story full of “nobodies.” Everyone wants their
fifteen seconds of fame and reality shows give people that time to shine. Essentially,
reality shows are a bunch of wannabe
actors that happen to fit the producer’s characters descriptions!
