Posted: April 14, 2010
Documentaries have gone mainstream. While not ready for primetime — or, in many ways, way beyond primetime — the offspring of documentary programming has gripped audiences on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. But what may be most interesting in terms of documentary topics is how the genre has influenced non-documentaries.
The question today, for documentary filmmakers, and those interested in “documentary topics,” is: How big can — and should — documentary get?
We’re in an interesting place here today — an intersection, or place of hybrids. And that’s an exciting place to be.
Think of something like The Apprentice, Kitchen Nightmares, or Top Gear. All have taken elements from ways of making programs that are more typical of the documentary world and have parlayed them into huge shows.
How big should documentary get?
……………………
My answer is as big as it possibly can.
I’ll let others judge the success of America The Story of Us, which will premiere on History on April 25th.
My pitch these days is that filmmakers, especially those raised in the documentary form and in journalism, should take on huge territories. Create new hybrids.
There’s loads of ways to do it — with formats that grow out of documentaries like Undercover Boss.
With performance and comedy embraced back into documentary in Sky in the UK’s Pineapple Dance Studios (watch it on You Tube). Or doc soaps meet Antiques Road Show in History channel’s breakout hit Pawn Stars.
With Its new technology that gives you Life and Planet Earth and of course America Story of Us.
With CGI and animation.
There are a ton of new hybrids no one has even contemplated out there ready to be created.
But whatever it is don’t be afraid to make it big, the rest of television culture needs you to do it.
For complete article please go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-root/the-best-of-both-worlds-h_b_537442.html

Excerpts from Jane Root speech given at MIPDOC closing speech, Cannes April 11th 2010