What do you guys think about the mockumentary style? Obviously The Office was a classic and I've enjoyed several shows in this style since. I can't help thinking it might be a bit old hat now. I watched This Country recently and must admit I thought 'not another mockumentary' at first. However it was funny enough that this didn't bother me. Interested in anyone's thoughts.
I don't think mockumentaries will ever be "old hat".
It's simply a form of filmmaking and, like every other form, it's wonderfully entertaining when done well.
Thanks for your reply! I think my thoughts about it being maybe a bit old hat are based on the fact that these shows often have very familiar characters - overconfident, lacking self awareness, showing off to the camera. Also I remember hearing on a podcast about commissioners being bored of this style. However, as I said- all of this didn't stop me enjoying This Country at all. Perhaps just depends on the show.
My favourite is Operation Good Guys
Pre-dates The Office, and it's superior imo
Quote: lofthouse @ 28th May 2019, 9:55 PMMy favourite is Operation Good Guys
Pre-dates The Office, and it's superior imo
Oh my God I loved this show. I'd totally forgotten about it. I seem to remember a scene where they used a load of seized cocaine as fake snow in a nativity lol
Yep that was the Christmas special!
Fantastic show
The one where they get stuck on a desert island is hysterical!
Quote: lofthouse @ 28th May 2019, 10:35 PMYep that was the Christmas special!
Fantastic show
The one where they get stuck on a desert island is hysterical!
I'm going to have to watch this again! No idea where to find it though. It's funny because The Office is always credited with being the pioneer of mockumentary but this show was years before. I don't think many people remember it but I could be wrong.
Victoria Wood was doing it a decade earlier than that.
Never gets the credit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEA812x0syI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Wood_As_Seen_On_TV_documentaries
Quote: Lazzard @ 29th May 2019, 10:54 AMVictoria Wood
Victoria Wood was a worthy contender for "Britain's greatest comedian".
If the programme had been "Britain's greatest woman comedian", she would have been the only contender, simply because no other woman in Britain has ever come close to matching her talent for stand-up, performing and writing.
Her mockumentaries, like (almost) everything else she did were excellent!
Quote: Lazzard @ 29th May 2019, 10:54 AMVictoria Wood was doing it a decade earlier than that.
Never gets the credit.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEA812x0syI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Wood_As_Seen_On_TV_documentaries
You're right! I loved watching this as a kid.
Good point about Victoria Wood, she was special. I'd forgotten what a wonderful comedic actor Broadbent was. The innovation behind The Office for me was that Ricky Gervais had a unique delivery, which is so common place now. It had a more realistic dead pan feel to it.
Quote: Firkin @ 29th May 2019, 6:12 PMGood point about Victoria Wood, she was special. I'd forgotten what a wonderful comedic actor Broadbent was. The innovation behind The Office for me was that Ricky Gervais had a unique delivery, which is so common place now. It had a more realistic dead pan feel to it.
I think that's the problem, so many mockumentaries try to emulate The Office too much - even down to the Brent mannerisms!
And when it comes to influential mockumentaries let's not forget the mighty Spinal Tap.
Quote: chipolata @ 30th May 2019, 2:07 PMAnd when it comes to influential mockumentaries let's not forget the mighty Spinal Tap.
I've watched it 11 times.
(See what I did there?)
Quote: chipolata @ 30th May 2019, 2:07 PMAnd when it comes to influential mockumentaries let's not forget the mighty Spinal Tap.
Was this the first film to do this I wonder?