Call for Papers and Sessions
THE DOCUMENTARY TRADITION
November 8-12, 2006
www.filmandhistory.org

Area CFP: Mockumentaries

In an entertainment era overwhelmed by =93reality=94 shows, the parody and=
=20
satire of the mockumentary, or =93fictional documentary,=94 take on even=20
greater appeal. From the BBC=92s 1957 April Fool=92s broadcast of=20
Panorama=92s =93Swiss Spaghetti Harvest=94 to the genre=92s latest=
 addition, To=20
Kill a Mockumentary (2006), mockumentaries have critiqued, lampooned, and=20
had a good, hard laugh at everything from the taken-for-granteds of=20
everyday life to our most cherished cultural icons. This call for papers=20
seeks submissions of work from a wide range of orientations, exploring the=
=20
contexts, uses, and impacts of this fictional documentary tradition that=20
traces its roots back to the radio broadcast of H.G. Wells=92 War of the=
 Worlds.

Possible topics for consideration include, but are not limited to:

=B7 * The works of particular mockumentary filmmakers, or the role=
 of=20
the mockumentary in a filmmaker=92s career,
             such as Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap), Christopher Guest=20
(Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty
             Wind), Woody Allen (Husbands and Wives, Zelig, Sweet and=
 Lowdow).

          * In-depth analysis of particular films (Drop Dead Gorgeous, Bob=
=20
Roberts, The Rutles, The Blair Witch Project,
            Children of the Revolution, The Proverb, etc.).

          * An analysis of the use of various techniques and strategies=20
across the genre, including the blending of actual
             documentary with fictitious footage (First People on the Moon,=
=20
2005; Fandom: A True Film, 2004).

         * A cultural analysis of the mockumentaries arising from a=20
particular historical moment.

The Film & History League will be holding its biannual conference on "The=20
Documentary Tradition" during November 8-12, 2006, near Dallas, TX. Full=20
details on the location, featured speakers, registration procedures, and=20
additional area topics can be found on the web site at=20
www.filmandhistory.org. Proposals for either individual papers or complete=
=20
panels (3-4 papers) are welcomed, and submissions may be made in either=20
electronic (no attachments, please) or hard copy format. Please send panel=
=20
proposals and/or 300-word paper abstracts no later than July 30, 2006, to:

Chair for Mockumentary Area

Prof. Cynthia Miller
Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies
Emerson College
120 Boylston St., Rm. 515
Boston, MA 02116
email: cynthia_miller_at_emerson.edu or cymiller_at_tiac.net

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Received on Tue Feb 07 2006 - 13:16:56 EST