The Truman Show

Work Title: The Truman Show
Medium: Film
Episode Title:
Year: 1998
Writer(s): Andrew Niccol
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from imdb.com Truman Burbank lives a happy life. However, what he doesn't know is that his life is actually the focus of a reality TV show aired since his birth, that he's the star, his hometown is a giant set piece, and everyone around him is an actor going by a script. Written by Skip4591

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: IMDB
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present day 1998

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: television and assorted TV technology
  • Description of the technology: Truman lives in an entreley mediated world. His life takes place on a giant soundstage, where everything is fabricated, including daylight and weather. He exists within in it, thinking everything is real, unaware his life is being broadcast to millions of viewers. The audience interacts with the TV by watching it, and immersing themselves in the drama and minutae of Trumans life. He occupies his own channel on everyone's TVs. People turn it on, leave it on, and do everything in front of the set. His life is vividly real to the audience.
  • Nature of task or activity: People do everything while wacthing Truman - socialize in a bar, bathe, eat, etc.
  • Performance of the Technology: It functions well, until Truman realizes he is on TV. People remain captivated until the end.
  • Description of creator(s): Christof. male, white, 40s, the creator of the Truman Show. Producer. He is seemingly all knowing and God like. He determined every aspect of Truman's life. Controlling, to say the least.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): to entertain people and make money - advance TV and people's relationship with it.
  • Description of users of technology: All sorts of people feel presence when watching Truman - all races, both genders, all ages.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: nice. People enjoy interacting with/watching Truman. They are invested in his life and curious about what will happen, what he's thinking, and want to know everything about him. The experience is consuming, absorbing and enthralling.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: yes.
  • Valence of experience: they enjoy it.
  • Specific responses: intense parasocial relationship.
Long-term consequences:

When Truman leaves his mediated existence, people are happy and sad. Happy he can make his own choices and sad they cannot be a part of his life any longer. They will miss him.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University