What Is A Mockumentary?

The term “mockumentary” originated in the 1960s and is a combination of the words “mock” and “documentary.” It is a genre of film and television that presents a fictional story, satire or parody as if it were an actual documentary that discusses real-life events. Most mockumentaries are comedies with exaggerated stereotypes.

The purpose of mockumentaries is typically to mock or critique current events, pop culture trends, modern society, lifestyles, religion, and politics. Mockumentaries are specifically designed to look just like a real documentary, often times featuring interviews, “hidden camera” scenes, and hand-held camera footage. They may also not be completely scripted, and the actors in mockumentaries are allowed to improvise and add their own elements of comedy.

The term “mockumentary” was popularized in the 1980s when director Rob Reiner used it to describe his 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap, which is a parody of “rockumentaries” (documentaries about rock music and rock musicians). This Is Spinal Tap is one of many other mockumentaries that appeared so realistic that people who watched it thought it was about real people.

In addition to movies, television productions have also made use of the mockumentary genre. Sitcoms, in particular, have enjoyed much success utilizing the mockumentary style of storytelling to entertain viewers. Some examples of popular American sitcoms that use the mockumentary format include The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family.

Learn more about why these mockumentary sitcoms have been so successful in connecting with their audience here: https://the-artifice.com/mockumentary-sitcom/

You can also learn more about the history of mockumentaries and see some examples below:

“Mockumentaries – Everything You Need to Know” by No Film School

If you are looking for talented actors or other industry professionals for your next mockumentary production, check out our online Nevada Production Directory to find experienced Nevada production crew or drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!

If you offer production and film-related services in Nevada and are not yet listed in our Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.

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