Behind the Scenes: The Reality of Reality Television

Controlling the Conversation

Camera crews spend countless hours filming different interactions and conversational moments. However, the director/producer guides discussions to steer conversations towards topics that will help tell the story they envision. They want conversations to flow in ways that create compelling television moments.

From Raw Footage to Finished Episode

All this raw footage is then sent to transcription teams. Transcribers like myself work to create detailed transcripts with time stamps. These transcripts allow editors to cut and rearrange conversations to construct coherent storylines and scripts. Editors add graphics, tweak audio, and shape 40 hours of footage into tight two hour episodes.

Orchestrated Versus Authentic Moments

While some interactions depict genuine reality moments, others involve more orchestration. Before lockdown, “actors” sometimes receive lists of lines to repeat for audio issues or story purposes. Final deliveries may even be fully scripted yet presented as the individuals’ own words. This blend aims to balance authenticity with drama.

One Show’s Journey from Raw to Refined

When I transcribed the series “Bamazon” about prospecting for gold in the Amazon, I was eager to see the finished product. As someone with access only to snippets without context, I felt the premise had promise. However, after viewing an episode, I realized tight editing distorted the reality I knew. Interactions appeared compressed and lost authentic nuance.

Revealing the “True Reality” of Reality Television

As someone raised near the iconic Jersey Shore, I have seen how reality can differ from its televised representation. A friend’s on-screen argument consisted of two mild discussions edited and hyped dramatically as one. while shows rely on improvised interactions, creative editing shapes discussions and events into a framed narrative removed from lived reality. The results entertain but hardly reflect an accurate or full picture of real experiences.

Balancing Storytelling with Authentic Depictions

Reconstructing interactions allows reality programming to more cohesively tell character stories and plotlines. However, such arrangements risk distorting the truthful nature of captured moments. To maintain audience investment without sacrificing credibility, programs must achieve balance. The most compelling reality formats seamlessly weave both genuine realities and artfully crafted scenes into cohesive yet fair portrayals.

When Does “Reality” Cease to Be Real?

By their nature, reality shows involve reconstruction and rearrangement to some extent. Yet too much manipulation removes the essence attracting audiences - glimpses of authentic human experiences. At what point do embellishments and alterations cross a line, rendering the “reality” merely theatrical? As the genre continues evolving, maintaining an honest foundation remains key to engrossing audiences without compromising integrity.