Chapter 4.5 - Theater Camp and Mocumentary

Alicia and Sarah combine their love for theater and satire in their discussion of the indie film mocumentary Theater Camp. They look at the history of mocumentaries, their personal love for theater and theater experiences, and the role of satire in producing effective media that takes on the form of fake documentaries. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: Mocumentary, Satire

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

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Show Notes:

Literary terms of the week:

• Mockumentary background

  • War of the Worlds radio broadcast in 1930s

  • Spaghetti tree BBC promo in 1950s

  • First popularized with 1980s movie The Gods Must Be Crazy

  • Blair Witch Project in 1990s

  • Parks and Rec, The Office, Modern Family

• Form of satire, meant to comment on line between fiction and nonfiction

• Usually includes:

  • Interviews

  • Hidden camera moments

  • Hand-held camera footage

  • Improv-style comedy

• New Yorker Review

What are we enjoying right now?

• Alicia: Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies (Michael Ausiello), On Earth, We’re Briefly Gorgeous (Ocean Vuong)

• Sarah: Devolution by Max Brooks (book), One Piece (television)

Related Episodes

Chapter 3.16 - Big Magic and the Six

Chapter 2.8 - Learning Through the Window

Chapter 2.4 - Swiftly Taylored

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