“Uncovering The Extraordinary Amidst The Ordinary” — The Mockumentary

As you search for a comedy to watch, you may notice an intriguing pattern emerging; shows such as The Office (2005-2013), Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), and the current Abbott Elementary (2021-), are all mockumentaries, a genre that has increasingly become prevalent in television sitcoms.

As the laugh track fades to obscurity and reality TV rises in popularity, Mockumentaries shine a light on the absurdism behind our everyday lives and behaviors. As the idea of authenticity and realism blurs, the popularity of mockumentaries highlights the fine balance between genuine expression and performance in our daily existence.

The Evolution Of Mockumentaries

War of the Worlds (Welles, Orson; 1938) is considered the first English-language mockumentary as a radio dramaThe History of the Mockumentary Artform. NYFA. (2022, November 16). https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/the-history-of-the-mockumentary-artform/. The radio play aired a fictional announcement about Martian aliens launching a serious invasion of Earth. Despite there being a clear disclaimer that the broadcast was a work of fiction, numerous listeners tuned in afterward, sparking widespread public hysteria.

The distinctive tone these voice actors used challenged societal perceptions of reality, which is what set mockumentaries apart. The genre began gaining further traction in the ’60s, yet the film This Is Spinal Tap (Reiner, Rob; 1984) successfully established the improvisational characteristic and overall style key to mockumentariesThe History of the Mockumentary Artform. NYFA. (2022, November 16). https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/the-history-of-the-mockumentary-artform/.

The success of The Office (2001) played a pivotal role in popularizing the mockumentary sitcom format, establishing it as a cult classic in the US. Similarly, films such as The Blair Witch Project (1999) contributed to the popularity of the found footage genre, sparking interest in the concept of missing footageLeigh, M. (2016, January 31). Why pseudo-documentaries continue to appeal: Pop verse. Pop Verse | Pop Culture Universe. https://pop-verse.com/2016/02/01/why-pseudo-documentaries-continue-to-appeal/ pieces, utilizing similar elements of the mockumentary.

The Essential Components Of Mockumentaries

The simple format of mockumentaries, especially mockumentary sitcoms, democratizes the filming process with its minimal editing and shooting style that favors today’s comedic style. Most techniques employed in mockumentaries are borrowed from traditional documentaries forming an atmosphere of realism. The use of a hand-held camera enables deliberate focus on a subject, akin to a first-person perspective in real-timeKingsley, T. (2017, April 5). Mockumentary hasn’t killed comedy – it perfectly skewers how we live now. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/apr/05/mockumentary-british-comedy-tom-kingsley.

Mockumentaries typically unfold in a familiar realistic setting, such as a mundane office cubicle, a New York apartment, or a public school in Philadelphia. As director Ben Wheatley Kingsley, T. (2017, April 5). Mockumentary hasn’t killed comedy – it perfectly skewers how we live now. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/apr/05/mockumentary-british-comedy-tom-kingsley states,

“It reacts how an eye reacts: the camera is intelligent, and it looks on your behalf. It takes in emotion.”

So, the famous “zoom-into-a-characters-face” scenes are commonplace in many mockumentary comedies. It sets a tone that evokes humor, allowing you to be a part of the joke. Having characters look into the camera Kingsley, T. (2017, April 5). Mockumentary hasn’t killed comedy – it perfectly skewers how we live now. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/apr/05/mockumentary-british-comedy-tom-kingsley is what allows audiences to connect with mockumentaries. Technically, these characters are not breaking the fourth wall, since the cameras themselves become involved in mockumentary narratives.

Therefore, characters perform as an extension of themselves that become interrupted by moments of the camera entering a scene, the mention of the team, or moments of interactionAllen, K., & Jensen, T. (2021, August 3). Mockumentary and the sociological imagination. The Sociological Review Magazine. https://thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/august-2021/film-and-television/mockumentary-and-the-sociological-imagination/ between the character and production crew. Unlike reality TV, the mockumentary mocks the spectacle hiddenly produced through staging.

Interviews are another key element in mockumentaries that allow characters to introduce themselves and their beliefs. Often story-wise, interviews are used to provide contextLeigh, M. (2016, January 31). Why pseudo-documentaries continue to appeal: Pop verse. Pop Verse | Pop Culture Universe. https://pop-verse.com/2016/02/01/why-pseudo-documentaries-continue-to-appeal/ to a situation while also revealing the psyche of a character.

Do Mockumentaries Present Fact Or Fiction?

Documentaries have seen a surge in popularity among viewers, with the demand for docuseries rising by 148% from 2018 to 2021Documentaries become fastest-growing streaming genre. Parrot Analytics. (2021). https://www.parrotanalytics.com/press/documentaries-become-fastest-growing-streaming-genre-2/. While documentaries aim to uncover truths about their subjects, they are still subject to manipulation through editing, scripting, camera work, and music selection.

The categorization and consideration of films as documentaries have always been complicatedBrooks, X. (2010, September 30). Can “fake” documentaries still tell the truth? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/sep/30/fake-documentaries-the-arbor matter due to their similarities. If viewers, consider a documentary as completely unbiased and genuine, mockumentaries serve to mimic or satirize the definition of a documentary. Mockumentaries are then able to capitalize on the popularity of both reality TV and documentaries.

Absurdity In Mockumentaries: Satirical Reflections On Reality

The majority of people follow mundane routines in their daily lives; mockumentaries have the ability to shed light on these seemingly ordinary aspects of life by presenting situations, conflicts, and characters that resonate with viewers’ own experiences. Absurdism, as a philosophical concept, explores the inherent “meaninglessness” and “irrationality” of life.

Mockumentaries are able to challenge what we consider possibleLeigh, M. (2016, January 31). Why pseudo-documentaries continue to appeal: Pop verse. Pop Verse | Pop Culture Universe. https://pop-verse.com/2016/02/01/why-pseudo-documentaries-continue-to-appeal/ or not in a real-life situation. From news headlines like “Florida Man Steals Plane; Ditches It on Half Moon Beach,” to AI images being considered legitimate, reality is sometimes inherently absurd. Reality TV as well is often considered to be authentic despite the behind-the-scenes production that influences a person’s behavior. The absurdity reflected in our reality can be closely followed by mockumentaries, with many mockumentaries letting us in the joke of our realities.

The Mockumentary Gen-Z Absurdist Humor

Generation Z humor has been considered absurd, ironic, and connected to DadaismSanders, E. (2020). Gen Z humor is the new Dadaist movement. Whitman Wire. https://whitmanwire.com/opinion/2020/03/05/gen-z-humor-is-the-new-dadaist-movement/ and its movement. For example, memes shared across social media online that seem illogical and irritational typically have layers; to get the joke, you must understand the context of usually another joke or reference. Going against the typical format for a joke is a reason why mockumentaries have succeeded. Considering that mockumentary comedies have taken over the comedy genre, mockumentaries popularizing may have been related to the shift to what younger generations view as funny.

Cringe comedy, dark comedy, or surreal comedy may also have jokes written better in the format of a mockumentary comedy than a traditional sitcom because of its characteristics (like not using a laugh track). Disillusionment and the harsh reality Generation Z continues to live through (the worsening climate crisis, economic instability, school shootings in the US, etc.), established the reason why absurdistSanders, E. (2020). Gen Z humor is the new Dadaist movement. Whitman Wire. https://whitmanwire.com/opinion/2020/03/05/gen-z-humor-is-the-new-dadaist-movement/humor humor, and in extension, mockumentaries have appealed to a demographic increasingly frustrated and apathetic with society.

“The Mockumentary” — Reflections & Critiques On Sociocultural Dynamics

With individuals increasingly becoming more aware of the various issues plaguing the world, mockumentaries connect individuals by the critique of sociocultural issues on a personal, nationwide, and global scale. Relating to characters based on personal experiences and connecting that with complex and wider scale issues is the ability coined as sociological imagination Allen, K., & Jensen, T. (2021, August 3). Mockumentary and the sociological imagination. The Sociological Review Magazine. https://thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/august-2021/film-and-television/mockumentary-and-the-sociological-imagination/.

Awareness of these issues has increasingly come to light in pop culture as more individuals share their experiences and access information online. Mockumentaries follow this cultural transition as they often include discussion surrounding political institutions and corruption, public school funding, colonialism, the meat industry, etc., trusting viewers will reflect on their reality and the worldAllen, K., & Jensen, T. (2021, August 3). Mockumentary and the sociological imagination. The Sociological Review Magazine. https://thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/august-2021/film-and-television/mockumentary-and-the-sociological-imagination/.

Approaching these issues through a lighthearted or unconventional format can inform viewers to take action. The perception viewers have of what is real or not drives how we interpret and understand a show or movie’s story. Whether or not mockumentaries are considered overdone or entertaining, directors can continuously challenge viewers by creating scenarios that may push the boundaries of our set expectations of reality. This allows us to reflect on our so-called normal and what that means in contemporary society.