Ghostly Encounters
Encyclopedia
Ghostly Encounters is a Canadian paranormal documentary
television series that premiered on , on Viva/W Network
. The program also airs on A&E
's The Biography Channel
in the United States. The show was created by executive producer Phyllis Platt, is produced by Brian Dennis, and is hosted by Lawrence Chau.
The program uses a combination of interviews and dramatic recreations, examining the events that led its subjects to accept or reject occurrences as supernatural, and how the experience has helped or hindered them.
Ghostly Encounters won a Gemini Award for best original score in 2007.
experiences. When warranted, however, the show will break from this format and instead use the full episode for one story. Each episode is created using a direct-to-camera interview with the storyteller, dramatic re-enactments, and host segments and commentary.
The episodes begin with a tease
, briefly describing the two stories. The tease is followed by the opening credits, which are accompanied by the Gemini Award-winning theme music. After the credits, the first story is introduced using a clip of the subject's interview. The first host segment follows and introduces the theme of the episode, as well as the first story, to the viewers. The first subject's story is then told using a combination of his or her interview and dramatic re-enactment footage. Occasionally, b-roll
and stock footage
are also used in telling the story. At the end of the first story, a brief host segment wraps up the first subject and introduces the second subject of the episode. The second story follows the same format as the first and ends again with a wrap-up from the host. At the same time, the host also wraps up the show and includes final comments on the stories and theme of the episode based on the commentary from the experts. The show ends with a final comment from each subject, usually reflecting on the lesson their encounter has given them, followed by the closing credits.
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
television series that premiered on , on Viva/W Network
W Network
W Network is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment. W Network broadcasts lifestyle and entertainment programming aimed at women....
. The program also airs on A&E
A&E Television Networks
A&E Television Networks is a U.S. media company that owns a group of television channels available via cable & satellite in the US and abroad...
's The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel is an American digital cable television channel owned by A&E and based on the television series of the same name. A version of the channel also airs on ONO and Telefónica in Spain and on Sky Digital and cable television in the United Kingdom, a version of the channel also...
in the United States. The show was created by executive producer Phyllis Platt, is produced by Brian Dennis, and is hosted by Lawrence Chau.
The program uses a combination of interviews and dramatic recreations, examining the events that led its subjects to accept or reject occurrences as supernatural, and how the experience has helped or hindered them.
Ghostly Encounters won a Gemini Award for best original score in 2007.
Format
Each episode usually tells stories from two individuals who believe they have had paranormalParanormal
Paranormal is a general term that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure...
experiences. When warranted, however, the show will break from this format and instead use the full episode for one story. Each episode is created using a direct-to-camera interview with the storyteller, dramatic re-enactments, and host segments and commentary.
The episodes begin with a tease
Cold open
A cold open in a television program or movie is the technique of jumping directly into a story at the beginning or opening of the show, before the title sequence or opening credits are shown...
, briefly describing the two stories. The tease is followed by the opening credits, which are accompanied by the Gemini Award-winning theme music. After the credits, the first story is introduced using a clip of the subject's interview. The first host segment follows and introduces the theme of the episode, as well as the first story, to the viewers. The first subject's story is then told using a combination of his or her interview and dramatic re-enactment footage. Occasionally, b-roll
B-roll
B-roll, B roll, or Broll is the supplemental or alternate footage intercut with the main shot in an interview or documentary.- History :The term B-roll originates from the method of 16 mm film production from an original camera negative...
and stock footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
are also used in telling the story. At the end of the first story, a brief host segment wraps up the first subject and introduces the second subject of the episode. The second story follows the same format as the first and ends again with a wrap-up from the host. At the same time, the host also wraps up the show and includes final comments on the stories and theme of the episode based on the commentary from the experts. The show ends with a final comment from each subject, usually reflecting on the lesson their encounter has given them, followed by the closing credits.
Season 1 (2005)
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Season 2 (2006)
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Season 3 (2009)
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Season 4 (2010)
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