Writing a Mockumentary

\ A mockumentary is a genre of film and television that is usually a comedy, though there are also serious mockumentaries. Mockumentary is a portmanteau of the words "mockery" and "documentary." Thus, a mockumentary takes an original documentary and puts in fictional details, but makes it seem as if these details are true. Sometimes a mockumentary simply uses the video from an already produced documentary and the audio is dubbed. Other times a mockumentary either tapes in the same place or a similar type of set is made for the mockumentary as the documentary that it is mocking. There are some others that are not truly documentaries or even mocking documentaries, but are only done in the style of a documentary.

The problems that can arise with mockumentaries are that they can be very offensive with the topics chosen or the details that are put in them.

In order to write a tasteful and non-offensive documentary, it is important to take note of the subject of the documentary and the details put in it. Of course, it also depends on the audience that is going to be watching the mockumentary.

The first step in writing a mockumentary is picking a subject. This may be done by picking a documentary that is already made such as one about the pyramids of Egypt or simply picking a subject such as how to get a job working for a fast food restaurant. Added to the second part may be either coming from a different country than the one where the mockumentary is set or some type of a challenge such as poor grades or a rough childhood.

The next step in writing the mockumentary is filling in the details. This is the part that can be very difficult. If the audience does not mind blue comedy, then it can be used. However, it is generally a good idea to stay away from blue comedy. Only so many jokes about bodily functions are appropriate as well. If every scene is a joke about bodily functions, it gets old quickly and the audience will soon stop watching.

The jokes in a mockumentary should be mild so that they are funny to everybody. If the jokes are outlandish, they need to be so outlandish that people know that they are definitely jokes and that the makers of the mockumentary definitely do not believe what they are saying.

The mockumentary needs to be easy for any person to watch and find funny. If the mockumentary makes fun of serious things such as religion, miracles, and politics, people will not find it funny at all.

Other than that, it is fairly easy to write a tasteful mockumentary. Just remember to stay away from the topics of religion, miracles, and politics. Then, stay away from the blue comedy and the bodily comedy, and the mockumentary is pretty sure to be a hit.

"Mockumentary," Wikipedia.org

"Portmanteau," Wikipedia.org

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