>From "HowStuff`Works.com"
Reality shows typically don't have scripts, but there is often a shooting
script or an outline that details aspects of an episode or part of the show.
For example, on shows like "The Real World" and "Big Brother," which take place
in confined quarters, the outline might give directions for which rooms or
cameras to focus on. It might set up a specific challenge for the contestants
on "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race." A shooting script could also create
conflict between some of the participants (by pairing specific people as
roommates or partners on "The Real World" or "Beauty and the Geek"). In extreme
cases, a shooting script might include a storyboard -- a visual representation
of the concept that physically illustrates what will occur in a scene.
Ultimately, reality producers and editors have a lot of control over what
happens on the show, just by the sheer fact that they've put the people
together in certain situations, and they're controlling what footage gets aired
and what doesn't. They can also use a device known as frankenbiting to edit
together conversation excerpts or sound bites to create a whole new dialogue or
conversation. Frankenbiting -- and a savvy editor -- can essentially create
alliances, crushes, fights and relationships. Footage that was captured days
apart can come to appear as one scene or situation.
