7 Documentary vs. Reality

Controversial documentary filmmaker Michael Moore refers to his work as “nonfictional personal essays,” which raises a very real question as to what is and what isn’t a documentary. Merriam-Webster defines documentaries as “of, relating to, or employing documentation in literature or art,”1 — and then goes on to reference words such as “factual” and “objective.” So if you’re out capturing professional or amateur skaters in their natural environment, then it’s safe to say you fit the definition.

Unfortunately, television isn’t always so clear. The newest genre we’ve all grown to love and hate is reality TV, and this is the closest thing to the documentary format that television has. From shows such as Viva La Bam, starring ...

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