Task 1 Unit 27 LO 3.

1
By Jack Smith

News
News shows give the purpose of delivering news to the people. The
news is normally very serious which they need to reflect with the
atmosphere of the show. The convention of the news includes formal
dress such as suits. Other conventions include interviews, footage
(possibly archive) and they also address the viewers frequently and
may ask the audience to give their opinions of the topics which theyre
discussing on the show.

Figgitt, E. (2012) Teddiebmxa. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/teddiebmxa/conventions-of-anews-show (Accessed: 11 April 2016)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/margaretthatcher/9980125/Margaret-Thatcher-viewers-criticise-BBC-over-presentersnot-wearing-black-ties.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZzq9ISeaRo

These two news shows (BBC News, Andrew Marr Show) fit in the genre of a news show because
they both follow the conventions of news shows which is formal language and dress. They also
conduct interviews with people so that they can get more than one opinion on the topics which
are being discussed. Both of the shows have backgrounds of London as well, as it shows the
viewers where the news shows are based.
BBC News (2016) Amber Rudd: Cameron has
done nothing wrong - BBC news. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZzq9ISeaRo
(Accessed: 11 April 2016).

Hall, M. (2013) Margaret Thatcher: Viewers criticise BBC over presenters not wearing black
ties. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/margaretthatcher/9980125/Margaret-Thatcher-viewers-criticise-BBC-over-presenters-not-wearingblack-ties.html (Accessed: 11 April 2016).

Documentary
Documentaries are factual programmes which are meant to deliver
information to the viewer in order for them to understand a certain
topic better. A good example of a documentary company is vice who
provide factual movies which goes into dark topics so that the viewer
can understand them better.

(No Date) Available at:

http://catalog.flatworldknowledge.com/bookhub/reader/3833?e=lule (Accessed:
25 April 2016).

BBCWorldwide (2008) Louis

Theroux meets a British man
with a Thai bride - BBC.
Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=gz-TUzjSXOw
(Accessed: 12 April 2016).

These two documentaries (Stacey Dooley, Louis Theroux) follow the common conventions of a documentary.
They have different target audiences however, Stacey Dooley is mainly for young people whereas Louis
Theroux is for older target audiences and will generally conduct his documentaries on darker topics. The
interviewers will wear casual clothes as they are trying to act as they normally do. The language will normally
be informal for Stacey Dooley but formal for Louis Theroux.

Docudrama
A docudrama is a dramatized television film based on real events, the
conventions of a docudrama is that the narrative structure can change
a lot depending on the subject matter, archive material is used in some
documentaries but it all depends on the subject once again. In most
docudramas they will follow a main character rather than just using
archive footage and narration like historical programs or
documentaries.
Merriam-Webster (2015) Definition of DOCUDRAMA.
Available at: http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/docudrama (Accessed: 25 April
2016).

Bibliography: FoxSearchlight
(2010) 127 HOURS - full length
official trailer HD. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=OlhLOWTnVoQ
(Accessed: 13 April 2016). Inline Citation: (FoxSearchlight,
2010)

These two movies (127 Hours, The Last King of Scotland) are both docudramas they have the main themes and
conventions of docudramas. Both of them are based on real events that took place in the past. While they
follow the history of what happened they are not always completely historically accurate as they are dramatized
for the viewers entertainment. Another good example of a docudrama would be the HBO series Rome

Docusoap
A docusoap is a documentary which follows people in a particular
occupation or location over a period of time, docusoaps are meant to
be in the style of a soap opera (e.g. Eastenders) however they are
based on real people. An example of a docusoap would be Made In
Chelsea.

Merriam-Webster (2015) Definition of

DOCUDRAMA. Available at: http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/docudrama (Accessed: 25
April 2016).

Bibliography: The Only Way

Is Essex (2015) Dan Edgar
singing impresses Kate - the
only way is Essex. Available
at:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=vROLXHcHCkk
(Accessed: 13 April 2016).
In-line Citation: (The Only
Way Is Essex, 2015)

The Only Way is Essex is an example of a docusoap, it follows the main conventions of a
docusoap. It conducts interviews with members of the cast in order to get their opinion
on what is happening in the story. Docusoaps normally are based around a small group
of friends in relationships.

Infotainment
Infotainment is broadcast material which is intended to both entertain
and inform the viewers. Most fact-based programmes could be classed
as infotainment because they are trying to use entertainment in order
to subject information to the viewer.

What is Infotainment? Webopedia definition (no date) Available at:

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/infotainment.html (Accessed: 25 April
2016).

Bibliography: Good Morning

Britain (2016) Nigel Farage
Doesnt trust David Cameron
| good morning Britain.
Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=boyxrHKFzA&nohtml5=False
(Accessed: 13 April 2016). Inline Citation: (Good Morning
Britain, 2016)

Good Morning Britain is a good example of a infotainment as they are both trying to entertain viewers with
various different segments on the show (such as cooking) however they also have a segment where they
discuss the news and try to convey information to the viewer.

Reality TV

A reality television show is a genre of television in which it will revolve around unscripted life
situations, and will feature an unknown cast on individuals who are not actors. If a reality
show is successful they will sometimes contain celebrities.

Reality television (2016) in Wikipedia.

Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_
television (Accessed: 25 April 2016).

Bibliography: PUTlN (2016)

Keeping up with the
Kardashians - rites of passage
3/3. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=PCVlEMcyhJM&nohtml5=
False (Accessed: 13 April 2016).
In-line Citation: (PUTlN, 2016)

A good example of a reality show would be Keeping Up With The Kardashians where viewers are able to follow
the unscripted lives of the celebrity family. Within the family there is a lot of drama which is needed in reality
TV in order to keep the viewers entertained. Reality shows are filmed very similarly to docusoaps.

Educational
Educational documentaries are made in order to educate or enlighten
an audience with factual information. Unlike a docurama which is
dramatized, and may not be completely accurate. Educational
documentaries will always remain factually correct.

Educational film (2015)

in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed
ucational_film (Accessed: 25 April
2016).

Bibliography: Windos Likar (2015)

Brian Cox universe documentary part
1 720p. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
X6sXqZ_OwkA (Accessed: 13 April
2016). In-line Citation: (Windos Likar,
2015)

An example of an educational documentary would be Wonders Of The

World with Brian Cox, viewers are able to learn about physics from the
famous physician Brian Cox.

Wildlife
Wildlife documentaries are normally narrated shows which will follow
animals as they conduct their business. It attempts to educate and
entertain the audience by showing the audience wild animals in
incredibly rare footage which would be extremely hard to capture
yourself.

Nature documentary (2016)

in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natur
e_documentary (Accessed: 25 April
2016).

Bibliography: Hamish PagetBrown (2011) Drenched and

dry Africa (African wildlife
documentary). Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=NzxoSsujKE4 (Accessed:
13 April 2016). In-line Citation:
(Hamish Paget-Brown, 2011)

An example of a wildlife documentary would be Drenched and Dry Africa in which are able to see animals
in the wild with an explanation with to why they do certain things. The narration over the top is used in
order to educate the viewers.

Special Interest
A special interest documentary is meant to focus on a specific interest
of a niche target audience. An example of a special interest would be a
documentary about serial killers.

Jack Smith, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi13sgV-QhE

Bibliography: The Documentary

Network (2013) The Imposter official documentary trailer 1080p.
Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Hi13sgV-QhE (Accessed: 13 April
2016). In-line Citation: (The
Documentary Network, 2013)

The Imposter is a good example of a true crime documentary which will appeal to a niche audience. The story
follows a 13 year old Texan boy who goes missing, and three years later he surfaced in Spain. A narrator is used
in order to help the viewer understand what is going on in the story.

Makeover
A makeover show is when a group of people try to make something or
someone completely transform their appearance. The most common
makeover shows on Television shows are in the form of home
decoration shows.

Farlex (2003) Makeover. Available at:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/makeov
er (Accessed: 25 April 2016).

Bibliography: Steven S.
West (2014) Extreme
makeover home edition
S05E22 the Latif family.
Available at:
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=S3WpHdfWf54
(Accessed: 13 April 2016).
In-line Citation: (Steven S.
West, 2014)

One of the most popular makeover shows is Extreme Makeover Home Edition where they follow a
person or family and try to makeover their house so that it will achieve a positive reaction with the
family, makeover shows attempt to make the viewer feel happy.

Magazine
Magazine TV shows are regularly scheduled news programs which
consist of several short segments in which various subjects of current
interest are examined, usually in greater detail than on a regular
newscast
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/magazine

Entertainment Tonight
(2016) EXCLUSIVE: On the set
of captain America: Civil war
as Robert Downey Jr. And Chris
Evans face O. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=V0I0t3MCPbk (Accessed:
25 April 2016).

Entertainment tonight is a good example of a magazine show as they use regular segments in order to
entertain and inform their younger viewers. They deliver the news in a basic way which can be easily
understood for all ages. They do the show in the form of a tabloid on celebrities etc. in order to make it
more interesting.

Discussion
Discussions are a genre in which a group of opinionated people discuss
/debate a topic which is filmed normally live on TV.

the action or process of talking about something in order to reach a

decision or to exchange ideas.
Merriam-Webster (2015) Definition of
DISCUSSION. Available at:
http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/discussion
(Accessed: 25 April 2016).

Bucks New University

(2012) Question time event at John
Hampden grammar school.
Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=3Ns3xOjQLOI (Accessed: 25
April 2016).

An example of the discussion genre would be Question time in which a group of politicians and sometimes
guests from activist groups come onto the show and discuss current affairs with one another. They are all very
opinionated about the subjects which are discussed which keeps the audience entertained and informed.

Review
The review genre revolves around the reviewing of products and
services available to the public. The products may be given to the
shows early so that they receive extra publicity. It ends up being a winwin for both parties.

Merriam-Webster (2015b) Definition of REVIEW.

Available at: http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/review (Accessed: 25
April 2016).

Haider Baloch (2015) The gadget show S24E02 480p x264 mSD.
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NvC6VHLC2g
(Accessed: 13 April 2016).

An example of a review show would be The Gadget Show where they receive products related to futurism
and they review them for the public. The gadgets that they review range a lot, which is why that it is one of the
most successful review shows in the UK.

Chat show
Chat shows are late night talk shows where a host will bring a range of
celebrity guests onto the show. Chat shows try to entertain viewers will
humour, sketches and celebrities. Chat shows basically conduct live
interviews of a celebrity.

Talk show (2016a) in Wikipedia. Available at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_show (Accessed: 25 April
2016).

Team Coco (2016) Sheamus gives Conan A Mohawk CONAN on TBS. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMPpUyxUnOs
(Accessed: 13 April 2016).

Conan is an example of a classic chat show. Conan has been airing for over 20 years and it is one of the most popular
chat shows in the United States. Conan has achieved this by bringing all star celebrities onto the show, makes
humorous sketches in order to entertain the audience and makes jokes throughout the show.