I’ve been watching “Happy Face” on Paramount Plus and it got me thinking about the dilemma: when telling a true story, do you go documentary or scripted feature?
The series brilliantly adapts the disturbing true story of the Happy Face Killer, and it made me wonder what we gain and lose when choosing one format over another.
What are some reasons to go scripted when the truth is already fascinating?
Creative freedom: You can fill in the blanks where real footage doesn’t exist
Actor performances: Skilled actors can breathe emotional life into characters in ways documentary subjects sometimes can’t
Funding realities: It’s often easier to secure financing for a scripted project with recognizable talent
Narrative control: You can shape a more cohesive, dramatically satisfying story arc
Protection for the real people involved: Dramatization can provide distance for sensitive subjects
And what are some advantages of going doc?
Authenticity that fiction can’t replicate: Real people telling their own stories hits differently
Surprises you couldn’t script: Documentary production often reveals unexpected twists
Ethical considerations: Some stories demand the accountability that comes with documentary
Lower barriers to entry: Sometimes you can make a compelling doc with less resources
What do you think? Would you like to see “Happy Face” as a documentary? Are there true stories you’ve seen that worked better as fiction than fact (or vice versa)?
BURIED LEAD! My ultra talented niece, Kate Maree, plays the younger version of the protag, Annaleigh Ashford’s character (the killer’s daughter), in “Happy Face!” It’s been jaw-dropping to watch her bring such emotional depth to this complex character. ❤️
Maurvelous Life Creative 