Lookey Lous: What is an Observational Documentary?

 Observational Documentary


In many reality TV programs, camera shooting and footage editing give the viewer the impression that they are passive observers following people going about their daily personal and professional activities; this style of filming is often referred to as fly on the wall or factual television.

These shows are popular and Networks like TLC have made them a mainstay of their programming . Their  lineup includes shows about multiple births : John and Kate plus 8 shows , 19 and counting. Little People and others that show disabled people.   These shows are about people in extraordinary  circumstances going through an everyday life.    They are just people a bit different from us living the way we do.

When these shows run on too long they morph into something completely different. When the unknown players become celebrities because of their show they cease to be their own characters. They simply go 'off brand'.   When an everyday housewife becomes a T V star- she stops being the very relatable character we originally were drawn too. When we are no longer endeared to the Reality star our relationship changes with them. Where we rooted them on- now we hope for them to fail.  But we  have so much time invested in them we can't stop watching.

---