Is the mockumentary format diegetic in Parks and Rec?
In some mockumentary shows, like 'The Office', the mockumentary format is diegetic, because there is actually a documentary being filmed in-universe. In others, the mockumentary format is extra-diegetic, and simply a story telling device allowing us to see the thoughts of the characters, like a modern-day soliloquy; see, eg, 'Modern Family'.
In 'Parks and Rec', is there an in-universe documentary being filmed, or is it just the format of the program behind the fourth wall?
Best Answer
There is only reason to assume it's non-diegetic.
- The motivation for filming is never disclosed.
- The characters never interact with what would be an in-universe film crew - they only address them (thus, rather, the viewer through this particular technique).
- The 'film crew' is everywhere it needs to be, and present at any time something interesting happens, including during private situations that cannot be rehearsed.
(I can't think of specific examples right now, but will update when I remember.)
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Is Parks and Rec meant to be a mockumentary?
Parks and Recreation (also known as Parks and Rec) is an American political satire mockumentary sitcom television series created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur. The series aired on NBC from April 9, 2009, to February 24, 2015, for 125 episodes, over seven seasons.Is Parks and Rec a mockumentary like The Office?
Parks and Rec premiered 4 years after The Office on the same network, NBC, and used the same mockumentary style. Co-created by The Office writer/producer Mike Schur, Parks and Rec is also another workplace comedy, but focused on a parks department in a small town instead of a paper company.Does Parks and Rec acknowledge the cameras?
In the final season of The Office, viewers met the crew behind the documentary, which ended up airing on PBS. Parks and Recreation never acknowledged who or why characters spoke to the camera.Are there talking heads in Parks and Rec?
Rather than strictly adhere to the mockumentary style and therefore make the camera operators characters in the world of the show, Schur and the Parks crew used that style of close access, direct looks at the camera, and occasional talking head sets ups without being forced to hide behind plants to catch intimate ...What makes a mockumentary? Comedic structure explained (Parks and Rec, The Office and Modern Family)
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Answer 2
In the pilot episode, Ron asks "did you guys get a grant to do this" ('this' referring to the filming), which as far as I can remember is the only moment in the show where the actual camera crew is referenced. Besides that, @Joachim is absolutely correct.
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