Manchester University Press
6 Histories: second-phase developments
Abstract
In his account of docudrama's second phase, the author argues that different-but-related broadcasting cultures in the USA and the UK were gradually drawing together. In the second phase live studio drama was being superseded by location-based filming developed following technological change. British dramadoc in the 1960s was more high-mindedly conscious of social and political purpose. By 1980, the techniques of the Granada dramadoc were well enough established for fellow producer David Boulton to describe them as the 'Woodhead Doctrine'. In marked contrast to Granada dramadocs, American docudramas around this time were beginning to focus more and more on the personal and the tabloid. Trauma dramas focus dramatically, and read sympathetically they critique, the very self-help individualism touted by Ronald Reagan in the run-up to his victory in the 1980 Presidential election.
Abstract
In his account of docudrama's second phase, the author argues that different-but-related broadcasting cultures in the USA and the UK were gradually drawing together. In the second phase live studio drama was being superseded by location-based filming developed following technological change. British dramadoc in the 1960s was more high-mindedly conscious of social and political purpose. By 1980, the techniques of the Granada dramadoc were well enough established for fellow producer David Boulton to describe them as the 'Woodhead Doctrine'. In marked contrast to Granada dramadocs, American docudramas around this time were beginning to focus more and more on the personal and the tabloid. Trauma dramas focus dramatically, and read sympathetically they critique, the very self-help individualism touted by Ronald Reagan in the run-up to his victory in the 1980 Presidential election.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction to the second edition 1
- 1 Working on docudrama 23
- 2 The law and regulation – docudrama in the new millennium 62
- 3 Codes, conventions and change 94
- 4 Keywords, key debates 131
- 5 Histories: antecedents and first phase 171
- 6 Histories: second-phase developments 205
- 7 Histories: third-phase ‘co-pros’ 231
- 8 Histories: fourth-phase hybridisation 262
- Bibliography 297
- Index 311
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction to the second edition 1
- 1 Working on docudrama 23
- 2 The law and regulation – docudrama in the new millennium 62
- 3 Codes, conventions and change 94
- 4 Keywords, key debates 131
- 5 Histories: antecedents and first phase 171
- 6 Histories: second-phase developments 205
- 7 Histories: third-phase ‘co-pros’ 231
- 8 Histories: fourth-phase hybridisation 262
- Bibliography 297
- Index 311
