Prompt 10: Recognizing The Truth

By: Gigi

Click here to watch: UnREAL

Unreal is a show that follows the life of Quinn and Rachel, an executive producer and producer respectively of the Everlasting (a spinoff on the Bachelor). When watching the first episode of the second season of UnREALl you are greeted with Quinn and Rachel at a party trying to secure the suitor for their show, at the party there is a lot of cocaine, sex and a them getting a tattoo of their mantra dick, money and power. This beginning scene would tempt you to believe that the life of media professional is of parties and interacting with celebrities. Furthermore, that the working in media is not a real job but instead an attempt to take of the world and that you do whatever it takes to get high ratings. However, reading this blog will clarify these misconceptions especially the following two:

   

      1. Myth: Producers causing meddling with the actors in order to make a scene more believable. In UnREAL we constantly see the producers of everlasting whispering in the contestant’s ear saying, “She said this about you.” The producers purposefully being manipulative and deceitful in order to great dramatic scenes on TV. 

Fact: Producers usually assist with casting and thus, have performers who know how create believable characters. The producer will offer assistance and direction if needed by the people in front of the camera. When it comes to reality shows the producer will ask questions to contestants and encourage them to be authentic. However, they will not be deceitful and malicious in their actions.

    2. Myth: Assistant producers attempt to sabotage executive producers, so that they can get promoted.  This is seen at the end of the first episode of the second season of UnREAL, where Rachael (the producer) goes to speak to the head of their network about the issues on set insinuating that she is more fit for the job of executive producer.

Fact: Like any other profession your qualification and experience are what land you a promotion. In order to become an executive producer, you must be able to show that you can manage people and filming. It is a rigorous process being interviewed and be thoroughly checked to see if you are the best candidate. The producer cannot simply state you aren’t competent and thus you lose your role.

Overall, watching UnREAL shows a version of media professional that is skewed to perpetuate false stereotypes about the field, however, whilst as one takes the time to research about the field of film and media they see how flawed the representation is.