Factual Entertainment - MSTU6006

Overview

Factual entertainment (or 'fact ent'), one of the most widely consumed formats of television, film, podcast and other media, delivers non-fiction or unscripted scenarios in accessible, popular forms. This module critically analyses the format and provides students with an opportunity to plan and produce an exemplary creative work. Each week’s topic will focus either on an aspect of production or in-depth discussion of a specific sub-genre of factual entertainment, which may include true-crime podcasts, reality TV, talent shows, lifestyle series or science and nature documentaries. The module furthermore aims to enhance students’ ability to critically reflect on debates over ethics, objectivity, the media maker’s role and/or audience manipulation. Through exercises and presentation of ideas, students will engage with key practical considerations of making factual entertainment, which may include proposal-writing and pitching, using found/archival footage, collaborating with production companies, and analysing the implications (e.g. political, ethical) of their production decisions.

Details

Contact hours

Private Study: 267
Contact Hours: 33
Total: 300

Method of assessment

Main assessment methods
Seminar Portfolio (35%)
Creative Portfolio (65%)

Reassessment methods
Like for like

Indicative reading

The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html

Indicative Reading List

Campbell, V., 2016. Science, entertainment and television documentary. London: Palgrave.
Deery, J., 2012. Consuming reality: The commercialization of factual entertainment. New York: Palgrave.
Hill, A., 2019. Embedded Engagement: Reality Talent Shows. In Media Experiences, Engaging with Drama and Reality Television. London: Routledge.
Kilborn, R.W., 2003. Staging the real: Factual TV programming in the age of Big Brother. Manchester University Press.
Potter, A. and Goldsmith, B., 2017. Reality's children: young people and factual entertainment television. Media International Australia, 164(1), pp.44-55.
Waade, A.M., 2009. Travel Series as TV Entertainment: Genre characteristics and touristic views on foreign countries. MedieKultur: Journal of media and communication research, 25(46).

Learning outcomes

The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1. Systematically understand factual entertainment as a format as well as constitutive forms of its subgenres such as true crime, reality TV, lifestyle programmes or nature documentaries;
2. Systematically understand the audience addresses and attendant pleasures of factual entertainment as a popular media format;
3. Systematically understand the specific ethical and political aspects of producing factual entertainment;
4. Deploy their systematic understanding of factual entertainment creatively and with self-reflection in producing their own exemplar work.

The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1. Develop industry-relevant skills, e.g. in pitching and proposal-writing;
2. Use technology (e.g. camera, audio recording, editing and/or word-processing) appropriately to the task;
3. Structure their workload independently and/or in groups to complete academic and creative work on time.