The Office (2001 - 2003 ) is a TV comedy based around an office in Slough that faces closure as the company starts to downsize. The boss, David Brent (Ricky Gervais), desperately tries to make the office appear better than it is for the film crew. The show ran for three seasons under BBC ending its run in 2003.
This show is commonly regarded as the first mockumentary and is perhaps one of the best examples of one. Throughout the show, characters are always aware of the film crew and often play up to the camera. For example, David will often try to make himself look better so that the viewers of the documentary will see him that way. Different character's react to the crew differently, for example, the cleaner is always standing motionless staring directly at the camera.
The show also uses techniques such as zooms and pans to try and catch all the reactions of characters and uses them for comedic purposes. It tries to make the whole situation look as realistic a possible and uses dull lighting and general office noises to help achieve this. Often in scenes that are private conversations between two characters, it will be filmed from behind something to hide create the sense of privacy. The characters will also sometimes take off their microphones to avoid being heard.
Much like Arrested Development, the camera is constantly moving to try and catch all the action. This also allows the actors more freedom to move around as the cameras will just follow where they go.
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