Research into codes and conventions of reality TV

Reality TV

Conventions - This refers to the typical features, characters and structures.

Codes: 

• Technical codes (shot/reverse shot, cutaway, 'fly on the wall' cinematography)
• Character codes (tend to have characters that fall into different categories such as rebellion, success)
• Narrative codes (story of adversity)
• Cultural codes (language, slang, local brands/places)

LIAR:

• Language (editing, shot types, sound, mise-en-scene)
• Institution (production, where it is released)
• Audience (who it appeals to)
• Representation (social groups)

Textual analysis of 3 reality TV trailers/adverts

The Mighty Redcar - BBC 2

• Dialogue and voice overs - accents of those that are local and people are able to tell their own story
• Tagline of fighting for their futures and that the community is trying to improve as a collective
• Many young adults and insights into their lives
• Cultural code of the run down town
• Appeal to teenagers or young adults as they say we can be their friends, people the audience can relate with living in a small town that isn't too well known
• Portrays the characters as people we want doing well and succeeding, they are all good people
• The use of plural pronouns like, 'we' makes the audience feel as if they are also involved with the people in the show
• 80s song as the soundtrack, building on the idea that the town has seen better days

I'm a Celebrity - ITV

• Recognisable and familiar faces in the UK shown as leading the show (Ant and Dec) which are liked by the vast majority of the nation
• Ant and Dec are like 'every-man' figures, ordinary people who we are able to relate with
• The pronoun of, 'you' targets the audience and asks them to interact with the show through the use of the app saying they can influence where they go and get them involved from the beginning
• It doesn't have to tell us much about the show as it is already a well known established show that are reminding people it is coming back

Educating Yorkshire - Channel 4

• Set in a school which includes students that are more misbehaving than following rules, it provides entertainment and humour with stereotypical children
• Talking heads - voice overs and dialogue (sometimes contradicts for humour)
• It appeals to teenagers who are similar ages which most of us can relate to, and students we may think of when we watch the show, everyone goes to school and will find something they can relate with
• 3 part structure with the happiness, misbehaviour and humour all in one
• Behaviour of the students are natural and shows a true insight of the school and their education
• Cultural code of English slang common in that area and uniforms which presents a regional identity

Reality TV where the general public are the stars of the show

Take Me Out - ITV (Case Study)

The promo video shows a wide range of clips from multiple episodes which are mainly focused on the public who have volunteered to be on the show. It may appeal to an audience of mainly women as the show is centred on single females who decide whether they like the male who had the attention of everyone there.

Since it's release in 2010, it has around 3 million viewers per series up to 2017. It has declined over time but many people within the UK and Ireland would have heard of the show, showing its success and familiarity with the nation.

It's success is also presented through the release of their behind the scenes show on ITV2: 'Take Me Out: The Gossip' which followed the broadcast of the main show. This consisted of backstage gossip and post interviews with the contestants.

The recognisable tagline is known by many in the UK and Ireland, 'No likey, no lighty' as it is a repeated phrase over all episodes and perhaps sums up the aim of the dating show.
It is easy to follow so many audiences are able to watch and enjoy it without being confused or feel like they have to start from the beginning.

The host, Paddy McGuinness, is also a recognisable figure who is a comedian, actor and presenter. This brings in viewers and audience as the humour and comedy will bring in a source of entertainment for those who like humour with an interaction of the typical conventions of a dating show.

Codes and Conventions of Reality TV

• A vast majority of reality TV consists of characters who are playing themselves and are ordinary members of the public which are usually 'every-man' figure as most of the audience will be able to relate and identify themselves with the characters in the show. It gives a regional identity for the area and has a focus on ordinary people.

• There is a cultural code for where the reality TV show is set. It may include the type of slang from the area, accents, places that are only local to the area (shops, pubs) and everyday people we see on a daily basis.

• Reality TV is usually heavily edited, but a technical code is shown when they are usually edited using simple cutaways or shot/reverse shot to portray a scene or character how the producers want and to show relationships and dialogue between people which is a major part of reality TV.

• In reality TV dramas, there will be determined character codes that shows different people in categories. For example, someone may be driving for success but another person may be shown as falling into a spiral of rebellion in their lives.

• It also focuses on audience participation, such as on Take Me Out and X Factor, which have live audiences when they are filmed and may influence the 'public stars' of the show to act in certain ways. The audience may also be involved through voting on apps, like in Britain's Got Talent and I'm a Celebrity when the audience vote on who should win.