How does Hill define reality TV? Describe his definitions in the context of a contemporary Reality TV show.

Hills (2005) explains that the term 'Reality TV' is used to describe an umbrella of proper factual programming. Common techniques used in reality TV are non-professional actors, non scripted dialogue and hand held cameras, allowing you to see the events unfold in front of the camera. An example of this is MTV's 'Cat Fish' where they use all 3 of the above, and hunt down people who aren't who they say they are on the internet. Cat Fish has become a very popular show on TV. While traditionally Reality TV was associated with on scene footage of aw and order or emergency services, it has now found a place with almost anything and everything ie pets, people, birth and death.

Hills (2005) explains that interest is a defining factor in popular factual programs. In fact, interest defines it more than reality does. Viewers take enjoyment out of watching people in their everyday activities, and watching their conflicts unfold on screen. While it is 'reality TV' there is still dramatization of these conflicts and character interactions. This is just one of that ways that the genre has changed. Initially, reality TV focused on everyday actual event. Their main features often included voice over, close ups and sounds. Now, reality TV has become far broader and it has fingers in the pies of cooking shows, reality game shows, fishing shows, high-conflict shows (Jeremy Kyle, Dr Phil), physical game shows (survivor) , surveillance shows (big brother) and many many more.

Hills (2005) also states that it can be difficult to define between a documentary and reality TV. "Television thrives off new formats and, television often cannibalizes itself, feeding off successful genres and formats in order to create new hybrid programs" (Hills, 2005). An example of these hybrid programs is a 'docu-drama' which marries together the genres of documentary and drama. An example of these 'docu-dramas' is 1966 film 'Cathy Come Home' which is an acted dramatization of real life events. This film was more successful in portraying reality than gaining popularity, as it did not use any artificial directing, sound effects or editing techniques. Instead, the film was more focused on capturing important moments and sounds in their entirety.

This is a brilliant example to show how today's reality TV differs. Reality TV that is popular now is more concerned with engaging viewers than it is with portraying reality. Modern reality TV series always create a sense of drama, tension and story telling while using non-actors and loosely non scripted material. Hills (2005) explains that their most powerful tool is their editing and effects, A good example of this is 'The Real Houswives' which follows a group of women living glamorously together and experiencing over dramatized conflict with one another. It is often speculated that the director/creator has a hand in these conflicts and they are not always 100% 'real'.

References:

Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.