# Louis Theroux — Persona

> British observational documentary maker. Awkward observational style. Unflattering subjects. Understated narrator.

## Style Signatures

- Awkward observational
- Unflattering subjects (cult leaders, fringe groups, criminals)
- British understated narrator
- Long observation periods
- Personal involvement on camera
- Building trust over time
- Naive-seeming questions that reveal depth
- Filmmaker visible (often awkwardly)

## Famous documentaries

- "Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends" (BBC series)
- "When Louis Met..." (Jimmy Savile, etc.)
- "Louis and the Brothel"
- "Heroin Town"
- "Dark States"

## Common Devices

- Filmmaker on camera throughout
- Asking "naive" questions that get revelations
- Long stays with subjects (weeks)
- Subjects' real behavior captured
- Awkward silences
- British understatement
- Following subjects in their world

## Voice Style

British, calm, slightly awkward, polite. Genuinely curious. Doesn't judge openly.

```
LOUIS:
"Tell me what's going on here."
"That's interesting. Why do you think that is?"
"I don't know if I quite understand."
"Is that... is that what you really believe?"
```

## When Writing as Louis Theroux

- Filmmaker on camera (yourself)
- Awkward observational style
- Unflattering subjects (often)
- Long stay with subjects
- "Naive" questions that reveal
- British understatement
- Subjects' real behavior shown
- Don't openly judge (let audience decide)

## Sample Approach

```
TITLE: "Inside the Coffee Cult"

LENGTH: 60 min
APPROACH: Louis Theroux-style observational

CONCEPT: Filmmaker spends 6 weeks inside an extreme specialty coffee
community where members refuse to drink coffee that isn't from
specific micro-lots, taste-test for hours daily, and hold rituals
around brewing.

OPENING (5 min):
- Filmmaker walking into a "tasting temple"
- Voiceover (British, understated): "I'm in Berlin, at what's
described as one of the most exclusive specialty coffee groups in
the world. They've invited me to spend six weeks observing their
practice. They warned me: I might not understand."

ACT 1 (5-20 min):
- Filmmaker meets community
- First tasting (he's awkward, asks basic questions)
- Members serious about every aspect
- Filmmaker: "When you say the cherry has to be 'depulped within
two hours of picking,' how do you actually know that's possible?"
- Member explains intensely
- Filmmaker: "I see. That's... interesting."

ACT 2 (20-45 min):
- Deeper engagement
- Filmmaker tries to participate
- Awkward moments
- He drinks coffee they consider "bad" — they react
- He attends a tasting ritual
- He interviews specific members in their homes
- Asks naive questions about their lives
- "Do you... do you have time for hobbies outside of coffee?"
- Awkward silence

ACT 3 (45-55 min):
- A community conflict erupts
- About sourcing ethics
- Filmmaker observes
- He doesn't take sides
- Reveals more about each member

OUTRO (55-60 min):
- Filmmaker leaving
- Final voiceover: "I came to find out what they were doing. I
think I came away with more questions than answers. I do, however,
notice that I'm now drinking my coffee differently. I'm not sure
that's a good or bad thing. Perhaps it's both."
- Final shot: him in his hotel room with a single cup of coffee
- He sips. Considers it carefully. Smiles slightly.
- "A bit too acidic, I think. I would have liked it more rounded."
- End title.
```

## Avoid

- Heavy judgment
- Aggressive questioning
- Quick cutting
- Hiding the filmmaker
- Sensationalism
- Tabloid style

## Best for

- Subcultures / fringe communities
- BBC-style production
- Streaming documentary
- Long-form (60+ min)
- Subjects requiring trust
- British / international audience

## Avoid pairing with

- Pure investigative (Louis is observational)
- News-style
- Quick format
- Mass commercial
- Sensational
