mockumentary
Satirical faux nonfiction
A mockumentary is a film or television show that uses documentary style—interviews, handheld cameras, observational footage—to tell a fictional story, usually for comedic effect.
The format mines humor from the contrast between documentary earnestness and absurd content: The Office, This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show.
The term blends "mock" and "documentary."
Comic exaggerated imitation
- parodySatirical imitation
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- send-upMocking imitation of something
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
irony · tongue-in-cheek · skewering · ridicule · pastiche · travesty · burlesque · sarcasm
Formal questioning session
- voiceoverOff-screen recorded speech
- narrationVerbal account delivery
- footageRecorded video material
- reenactmentStaged reproduction of events
verisimilitude · fly-on-the-wall · observational · handheld · confessional · fourth-wall · testimonial · B-roll
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- deadpanExpressionless, especially for humor
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
quirky · absurd · sketch · sitcom · gag · slapstick · banter · shtick
Ordered set of related items
- filmMovie or coating
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
- anthologyCollected literary works volume
- miniseriesFinite-episode TV narrative
Make known publicly
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- institutionalOf formal establishments
- corporateOf or relating to companies
- politicsGovernmental power struggles
subversion · deconstruction · meta · self-aware · authenticity · truth · manipulation · bias
spoof
Comic exaggerated imitation
caricature · irony · tongue-in-cheek · skewering · ridicule · pastiche · travesty · burlesque · sarcasm · exaggeration
interview
Formal questioning session
reenactment · verisimilitude · fly-on-the-wall · observational · handheld · confessional · fourth-wall · testimonial · B-roll · staged
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
ensemble · quirky · absurd · sketch · sitcom · gag · slapstick · banter · shtick · Borat
series
Ordered set of related items
miniseries · sequel · spinoff · streaming · Netflix · HBO · BBC
expose
Make known publicly
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- institutionalOf formal establishments
- corporateOf or relating to companies
politics · subversion · deconstruction · meta · self-aware · authenticity · truth · manipulation · bias · perspective
- hybrid genresjazz fusion, rock opera, blues rock, folk rock, country rock
- genresaction, comedy, detective fiction, fantasy, horror
- film genreshorror, comedy, drama, action, romance
- Filmmakingcamera, film director, camcorder, directing, script
- amateur mediahome movies, home videos, family videos, DIY videos, student films
- comedy stylesjokes, sarcasm, puns, irony, parody
mockumentarydocumentary
Factual film about reality
investigative journalism · news report · nature documentary · historical documentary · docuseries