Reinforcement of the visual equality of investigator and the one investigated also occurs when Goodwin reluctantly must serve Van Doren with a subpoena to appear before the House subcommittee. The leading two-shot shows both men to be dressed almost identically as they walk and discuss how they've come to be on opposite sides of legal and moral issues stemming from the choice of wealth and fame on the one hand, and retaining one's integrity on the other. The proximity of re-creation warrants the film's moral position. His cloistered office, family home, and upper-class Eastern family life can't shield him from being exposed as a cheater. The action of Quiz Show 's argument, its infusion of a particular moral view into re-creating documented history, illustrates the most basic issue raised by modeling relations in docudrama.
Modeled warrants are entirely iconic and function by virtue of resemblance to their referents.
Quiz Show 's arguments suggest that resemblance to people and setting in modeled docudrama proposes a more limited, clearly defined set of claims than depicted resemblances to actions and events. The second set of appearances, dependent upon the first, will then be more likely to raise ethical implications of historical representation. The interrelationship of iconic and indexical material is crucial to the persuasive power of film docudrama and associates cinematic proximity with the moral truth the film will advocate. Several strategies can create the sense of proximity that invites a docudrama viewer's suspension of disbelief. A strategy of modeling, such as the kind offered by Quiz Show , builds upon accepting close resemblances.