the importance of distinquishign genres for hte audience

Documentaries and dramas are an unlikely combination. ethical questions arise in terms of the director's necessity for transparency when presenting his rendition of the facts, history, and the validity of his sources. once the film crosses over into fictional work, it is less criticized by the public, event hough many will assume everything is nothing but the truth. Some examples include Schindler's List, where Spielberg freely combines historical footage and dramatized scenes with no few clear-cut stylistic differences, forming a new history on film. While he presents an intelligent argument in that film alongside a positive political message, it is still fiction even though many spectators will assume otherwise.

The flip angle is a documentary that utilizes techniques in fictional pieces to bring tis point across. Here enters Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 911. Creative editing and scripted interviews pushed the boundaries of the documentary genre. So much in fact, that Moore felt the need to answer to his critics, by validating the choice of "facts" he presented. (his lengthy response is the link provided).

the widespread commercial success of Moore's films prove that the general public, despite the threat of being misled, loves this precarious combination of techniques. they seek to get as close to real without the doldrums of reality. Scripted shows like Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie are a great example. the viewing public knows what they are watching may be fake or real--- or some mix, but it also loves the game of deciphering.

the growing popularity of drama/documentaries could point to two facts:
1. the society has lost trust in the media and given up on any form of objectivity, so doesn't mind the mix of entertainment with journalistic techniques.
2.the public is so media saavy by being flooded with messages via the internet, publications, broadcasting that it no longer feels the need for a gatekeeper to tell them what is real.

just a thought.