What are the Conventions for the End Credits of a Mockumentary?
As post-production is drawing to an end, I've decided to look back at my chosen mockumentaries to see how they go to show their end credits. As previously discussed, Kate and I have produced an end credit scene, which consists of Giles giving Jordan his Peter Pan costume. Therefore, this may lead DownStage to have a potential unconventional end credits, depending on the style my chosen examples use. The examples I will be researching are:
- The Office (UK)
- The Office (USA)
- People Just Do Nothing
- Trailer Park Boys
- Modern Family
The Office (UK)
As you can see from the image below, The Office (UK) has a very basic end credit sequence - concluding how the series has a very simplistic tone judging from its title sequence and use of sub titles. This therefore gives the series a simplistic branding - perhaps adding to the simplistic nature and representation of the main character David Brent, or even so its metaphorical with the boring and 'everyday' portrayal of an office job. Nonetheless, the end credits consists of a white sans serif font, simply rolling off the screen.
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| Screenshot from The Office (UK) end credits |
The Office (USA)
Conversely, the American version of The Office has a very different and effective approach. As you can see from the image below, the end credits consists of an additional scene (which is partially relevant to the narrative of the episode) and has the end credits appear at the bottom of the screen. This could easily work with DownStage as we plan to have an additional scene, and this layout seems reasonable as it enables the audience to watch an unpredicted scene. Reasons for this may be due to the fact that some of the audience simply may be bored by watching the credits, and would rather watch more of the series - which is what The Office (USA) is contributing for here.
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| Screenshot from The Office (USA) end credits |
People Just do Nothing
Likewise to The Office (UK), People just do Nothing have followed a similar approach - they have a simplistic end credits scene however is much shorter, making it roll a bit quicker. The only key difference this uses would be the soundtrack - it remains upbeat and conforms to the same dance/garage genre that we hear when watching the series. Nonetheless, the structure is basic however looks neat and is clear.
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| End credits for People Just do Nothing |
Trailer Park Boys
Also similar to People Just do Nothing and The Office (UK), Trailer Park Boys also follows this idea of a basic and traditional end credits sequence. Nonetheless, it remains slightly more recognisable as a brand - the logo of Trailer Park Boys consists of a italic, capitalised bold sans serif font, which is how the credits are also presented. Thus, this too is a basic yet structured end credit.
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| Trailer Park Boys End Credits |
Modern Family
This end credit sequence follows the same method as The Office (USA) - the credits are based at the bottom of the screen whilst we see an additional and slightly irrelevant scene. However, to me this is visually more entertaining to watch - although the audience understand the story, there is still a need to entertain them whilst they watch the credits. However, it may be conventional for American mockumentaries to use this style for an end credits, as both The Office (USA) and Modern Family are American television programs.
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| Modern Family End Credits |
Conclusion
To conclude, it is clear which style of the end credits seem more visually appealing, and this research can also enable me to conclude that either style is conventional - perhaps the black to white rolling end credits may seem traditional, but I believe that the opposing style feels much more modern and entertaining. Therefore, I will create an end credits in both style and then compare to see which one seems the most appealing to use.
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