Task Three Historical text. 1971

Historical text.

An American Family – 1971.

Listed #32 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time

The seven members of the family were:

• William Carberry (Bill) Loud (born January 22, 1921)
• Patricia (Pat) Loud (born October 4, 1926)
• Lance Loud (June 26, 1951 – December 22, 2001)
• Kevin Robert Loud (born January 28, 1953)
• Grant Loud (born May 5, 1954 in Eugene, Oregon)
• Delilah Ann Loud (born October 15, 1955)
• Michele Loud (born October 15, 1957)

First ever documentary/TV Show to be considered a reality television show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF3bs4xvbYg

This is a montage of clips from An American Family 1971.

Watching these clips, it clearly indicates that the typical codes and conventions of a reality TV had been constructed from shows as such. An example of this is the backing noise that is heard within the clips. This is also shown in reality shows such as Big Brother. Where u hear the background noises without any editing, emphasising that it is reality and not tempered with in any way. Also the shots in which the show is taken in. For example. P.O.V illustrates that it is reality as it also gives the readers a sense of reality as if they are there personally watching everything that is going on. The ongoing sequences show that this is not in any way constructed as what is being said and shown is not scripted.

The similarities between An American Family and The X-Factor is that what is being said on screen in front of camera has not been constructed in any shape or form as it both shows make mistakes in their speeches. For example; Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell, both make upfront mistakes and cut one another off within the show which portrays the reality of TV. This is similarly shown in An American Family as what they say is being shown with pauses and faults within their speech.

However there are many differences such as the improvement in technology which has lead to a more glamourized and sophisticated version of reality TV. This is done via; diverse shots, increase in more lighting styles and effects/ introduction of higher quality mikes and camera E.g – HD etc. Therefore what is shown on screen is majorly different to what u may have seen before.

Socially there has been a change too, as an example, women today show cleavage on screen e.g contestants and judges aim to look sexy and attractive, however this would not have been the case during the 90s therefore since then there has been major changes within the media industry. Also inequality has also been rinsed out in some form, as people today achieve success with their own credibility and talent and is certainly not dependant on their social class or family status etc.