Reality Internet Assignment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Reality Internet Assignment - Research Paper Example Another definition is given by Jonathon Bignell, who defines it as the unscripted actions and behavior of everyday people, which are the shows’ focus of interest (Edwards 17). While reality TV’s boundaries are blurred, the most fundamental factor separating it from other TV genres is its focus on people’s situational reaction and private thoughts. Effects of Reality TV Production Elements on Non-Reality TV Because of reality TV’s popularity, non-reality TV has been forced to pick up some production elements from them to remain competitive on the screen. One of those elements assimilated into non-reality TV is the use of real-life participants. Since reality, TV’s biggest appeal is the use of real people playing their part, rather than actors, non-reality TV has taken up the tendency to create characters out of real life people (lostintelevision 1). One example of this is the HBO drama The Wire, which uses real life people together with actors to cre ate an authentic feel in their program. The use of real neighborhoods and real occupants of these neighborhoods with no acting experience and placing them in situations like drug busts and murders, while also taking their reactions, is what made The Wire such a big TV hit. With time, these real-life characters, including workers in the Mayor’s office, became integrated into the show, adding to the authenticity of its message. Another element used in non-reality TV and borrowed from reality TV is the use of unscripted performance (lostintelevision 1). Again, The Wire is a good example of this with the producers placing real life characters in the midst of their scenes and focusing on them to see their reactions. Normally, because the people of Baltimore are used to these situations makes their reactions authentic compared to, for example, bringing in actors into these situations. However, while these situations are unscripted, the producer sets up the situations with real life events being controlled using a narrative structure carried by the actors. Another element of reality TV that has been assimilated into non-reality TV is the use of reality-style testimonials, where the characters explain their situations to the camera and the audience (lostintelevision 1), such as was used in the British Sitcom The Office. The narration is usually in the form of present tense and usually deals with what is going on as the audience watches as the narrator of the testimonial adopts informal styles of speech and communication. Surveillance or observation is another production element popularized by reality TV that has influenced the production of non-reality TV. Just as in reality TV, non-reality TV has become reliant on observation and has turned to intrusive surveillance to become more real. Documentaries have especially taken up this element by integrating CCTV images into their production. This has also introduced the element of voyeurism with the CCTV images bei ng used for surveillance becoming increasingly intrusive (lostintelevision 1). The producer uses the CCTV imagery to exhibit something that he/she is investigating and this positions the audience as voyeurs in the situations being filmed. While those being followed do not at the time, and the cameras were not meant to pick up what they were doing, the producer eventually uses these images to create a real-life situation. Impacts of Reality TV on Cultural Norms Sex and promiscuity are some of the most

In what ways do changes of administration in Washington affect Essay

In what ways do changes of administration in Washington affect continuity in US policy in the Asia-Pacific - Essay Example If the heads of state had come from similar parties it is easier to ensure continuity of policies. Otherwise, the chances of continuity are slim unless the next president is not one for party politics such as Obama’s case. So as to have a clearer view on how administration changes tend to affect continuity in the Asia-Pacific area, this essay henceforth aims to scrutinize the ways in which the change of political leaders may affect policy continuity. Administration changes can affect policies whenever party politics take precedence over continuity. It has been known that Democrats and Republicans have contrasting values. While the former espouses liberal views and political methods, the latter’s beliefs on and approach to policy debates is conservative and traditional. Party affiliation in the US has a â€Å"predominant influence† on the President and his administration. Jim Leach, former chairman of the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, considers â€Å"the interplay between the Republican and Democratic parties and within each of these parties† as responsible for adding another coat of complexity to the US system and its policies in Asia-Pacific. For comparison’s sake, the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton was markedly different from that of his successor Bush Jr. Though rocked with scandals irrelevant to policy-making (i.e. Monica Lewinsky affai r), there was at least a shortage of war. As Rozoff (2009) quipped in his write-up, â€Å"when Clinton lied no Americans died.† On one hand, the Bush Presidency had enough Republican policies on war to sacrifice thousands of American soldiers. The Democratic Policy Committee condemned such policies as â€Å"misguided† for having â€Å"severely tarnished Americas reputation in Iraq and around the world† and  undermined â€Å"U.S.-led reconstruction efforts†