What exactly makes a documentary? The genre alone makes us believe that a documentary is factual, but does the content of a film determine its coverage? There are even entire genres, both dramatic and humorous, that use documentary conventions but are based on fictional events or people. To some people, these “facsimile documentaries” are pure entertainment, while to others, they are perceived as factual. There are many elements that are borrowed from documentaries, some are as simple as a voiceover or a handheld camera, while others require deliberate decisions related to cinematography.

For this research project, I examine two archetypal facsimile documentaries, The War Game (1965) and This is Spın̈al Tap (1984), to determine how documentary techniques are used to give the viewer the perception of reality. I focused on the shots used and the overall coverage of each film, and examined the reasons why viewers could assume that the footage was based on actuality.

To read Faking Authenticity, please click here.

Cover picture: This is Spın̈al Tap 1984, Embassy Pictures, Los Angeles.