Short film - Mockumentary.

A mockumentary is a term used to describe documentary styled film portrayed in a comical way. An example of a feature film mockumentary would be Borat. If done well, doing a short film in a mockumentary style format, can be funny and interesting to watch.

As an example of a mockumentary used in short film, one of the best I've come across is 'The Crusader'. The film is seven minutes long, and is a documentary on a middle aged man called Lee Philips, who is in the process on suing Warner Bros for mis-interpretation. Lee believes he is Batman, and that Warner Bros based their character on his life. It is the perfect example of a mockumentary, as it's very funny and clever, whilst maintaining a documetary style format, with actors providing characters who are completely serious in their actions. This way of presenting a ridiculous idea in a very serious way (as a documentary) is what makes a mockumatary comical and entertaining to watch.

This style of short film is something I want to explore a little more. I did this by creating a very basic short film.  The idea of the film is a short and ridiculous one (something every mocumentary needs). The documentary is on the strange life of a boy at Wymondham high school, who has for many years, had an obsession with a chair. The obsession is so extreme that he takes it everywhere he goes. The documentary includes both scenes of Patrick partaking in activities with his chair, interviews with fellow students, and an interview with Patrick's teacher.