MovieChat Forums > Britannia High (2008) Discussion > semi-original idea blending reality with...

semi-original idea blending reality with drama

posted 16 years ago by usdirect
7 replies | jump to latest

The ever developing world of reality TV has now got to a point where producers are trying to come up with original ideas blending drama into the mix.

You've got the dual dramas of Moving Wallpaper & Echo Beach with the former being a spoof making of the latter as well as Andrew Lloyd Webber casting the replacement for Maria with Hollyoaks star Summer Strallen but by writing him into the script of the soap, they're making reality become fictional as they follow the new girl into the west end role.

Britannia High starts off with two documentaries about the stars of the show and how they came to be cast followed by the show itself which has been called a mixture of Fame & High School Musical as the group of talented young actors/singers/dancers begin their careers in show business which draws parallels to their real life situations.

Where will all this reality meets drama go next?

[–] bobsicle 16 years ago

Aren't reality TV shows stuff like Wife Swap and Big Brother - putting real people into contrived situations? This is just a drama by the sounds of it with a couple of 'making of' documentaries at the beginning.

I think the term reality TV is used far too loosely.

This sounds good though. It certainly sounds more appealing than most of the dross churned out in the UK at the moment.

[–] usdirect 16 years ago

Yes, Reality TV is used very loosely in connection with lots of stuff these days. I mean the way Lloyd Webber planted the new Maria into Hollyoaks is only reality in that she was an unknown newcomer who played a girl wanting to get into the West End. I guess the similarity between her real life and the character doesn't make it Reality TV but it's still a concept that has been bred out of the Saturday night talent shows which people seem to class as reality TV these days.

In the same way, I believe the stars of this new show are all newcomers and similarities between their real life & the show don't really make it reality TV but the final show is a live showcase, whether they compete for a prize as the winner or not I'm not sure but again, it's a concept that's come out of previous Saturday night shows that people class as reality TV.

It's definitely gonna be a good launching platform for the stars who I think will end up in the theatre plus a few in TV & possibly movies.

[–] slayer0601 16 years ago

This sounds like just another 'Rock Rivals' gimmick show that won't last.

[–] Norma_Snockers 16 years ago

Its not meant to last. Its a one-off reality show. Rock Rivals is a tv series that I agree won't last long.

Kathy

IKEA! Swedish for Sh*te!

[–] bobsicle 16 years ago

I thought it was a drama? According to the description there are 8 hours of drama, preceded by a documentary about the casting process. It will only be like Rock Rivals if it's badly written, tacky and tawdry. Looks like there are some good writers involved, so hopefully it won't be another car crash ITV drama.

[–] Norma_Snockers 16 years ago

You're right - the documentary bit leads up to the drama. I'll only be interested in the doc bit though featuring Gary Barlow and Guy Chambers (amongst others) writing the songs.

Kathy

IKEA! Swedish for Sh*te!

[–] Jenzzyuk 16 years ago

watch this video for more Info about Britannia High:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sB6uMq4-vZQ