David Rogers, a veteran of the mockumentary universe, has lent his expertise to a new take on the genre: a documentary-style spin-off set in a newsroom known as “The Paper”.
Rogers’ Background in Mockumentary
Rogers edited nearly 100 episodes of NBC’s beloved sitcom “The Office”, earning two Emmys in the process. He’s no stranger to the conventions of the mockumentary format, where characters break the fourth wall and address the camera directly.
Creating a Documentary Feel in a Fictional Setting
In “The Paper”, Rogers and fellow editor Julie Cohen, tackled the “extremely difficult puzzle” of making the audience believe they’re watching a documentary. They aimed to create a seamless blend of realism and fiction, where the characters’ interactions with the camera felt organic and unscripted.
This required careful planning and attention to detail, with the editors working closely with the show’s creators to craft a narrative that felt authentic and engaging. They drew inspiration from real-life documentaries, studying the techniques used by documentary filmmakers to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
The Reality of “Fake” Documentary
One of the biggest challenges was striking the right tone. The editors wanted the audience to be unsure what was real and what was scripted, making the documentary feel like a genuine behind-the-scenes look at a newsroom. This required a delicate balance between humor and realism, as the characters navigated the ups and downs of working in a high-pressure environment.
What this means: As we become increasingly accustomed to documentary-style storytelling in our favorite TV shows, the lines between reality and fiction continue to blur. “The Paper” is just the latest example of how this genre-bending approach can create a unique and engaging viewing experience.
